Kan. lawmakers to discuss unemployment trust fund

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas legislators are planning to look into the health of the state fund paying benefits to unemployed workers.

The House Appropriations Committee was scheduled to take testimony Tuesday from state Labor Secretary Jim Garner.

The Department of Labor announced earlier this month that it might have to borrow money from the federal government to continue paying unemployment benefits.

The state's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund started the year with a balance of $566 million and saw it slip below $350 million this month. Department of Labor officials worry the fund could run out of money by November.

An advisory council plans to meet Sept. 3 to discuss long-term plans for shoring up the fund, which could lead to higher unemployment taxes on businesses.