Officials React to Idea of Merging KDOT, Turnpike
Associated Press - Sun 09:43 AM 01/20/2013
For more than 50 years, the Kansas Turnpike has been a major transportation artery, carrying thousands of commuters between the Kansas City metro area and the Oklahoma border.
For more than 50 years, the Kansas Turnpike has been a major transportation artery, carrying thousands of commuters between the Kansas City metro area and the Oklahoma border.
It's also been maintained by an independent agency outside of the state Department of Transportation — something Gov. Sam Brownback wants to change.
His proposal, first announced during the State of the State address, would merge the Kansas Turnpike Authority into the Transportation Department. But that's raising questions about the turnpike's future and the possibility of Kansas building new toll roads.
Legislators say the turnpike is a Kansas gem that shouldn't be diminished in the spirit of finding efficiencies. They also fear the proposal could ultimately divert future money away from the turnpike.
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troy
Sunday 20 January 2013 18:11 Report this comment
So if they merge the Turnpike (union free workplace) with KDOT (KOSE union controlled) will the union then demand more pay/benefits from the increased revenues available from the turnpike? Surely the condition of the turnpike and its employees will sufffer from the increased weight of supporting not only itself, but KDOT also.
DOn
Tuesday 22 January 2013 10:19 Report this comment
Troy needs to study the rules for KDOT's union. They control nothing. According to state law, KDOT employees can't go on strike or have a sick out, those are the only two ways of trying to get an empolyee to follow the rules. As far as pay is concerned, on June 17, 2001, the Governor then froze all pay raises for KDOT employess, where was the union for that. We have not had any raises since then. Yes, there have been a few 1 to 2% increases for cost of living, didn't cover it, but there are several of classies of employees who have not had an increases at all since 2008 and I am sure that nothing has increased in that time. Before the uniformed blame the state worker for all the state troubles, please find out who has raided the pension fund over the last twenty years and who hasn't lived up to their end of the bargain. We ask them to do alot for very little reward.