Kansas GOP senators propose taking break amid deadlock on tax talks

? Some GOP state senators say they would consider taking an unpaid break after failing to agree on tax proposals after days of debates.

Republican Sen. Les Donovan of Wichita said Tuesday during a meeting of GOP senators that he was interested in adjourning for about a week. Donovan said the move might raise pressure on Gov. Sam Brownback and allow legislators to come back more ready to compromise.

Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce said the idea is viable, but the Nickerson Republican wanted to conduct a debate on a stripped-down tax initiative Tuesday afternoon first.

Administration officials have said that all nonessential state workers would be furloughed if a budget deal is not reached by June 7. Furloughs could be avoided if a short-term budget were to pass.