| State Payrolls Up Slightly Despite Streamlining
Half A Decade's Worth Of State Payroll Data Updated With 2011 Numbers
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February 17, 2012 - Wichita - Even though much has been made of efforts to streamline state government and some claim dramatic downsizing of government, state payroll data on KansasOpenGov.org demonstrates that total state pay increased by $16,555,995.38 between the 2010 and 2011 calendar years. KansasOpenGov.org contains only official government reporting data obtained via Kansas Open Records Act requests and is operated by Kansas Policy Institute. In addition to a fully searchable database stretching back to 2007, information is also available for overtime, total payroll by agency, and state employees earning over $100,000.
"This is about putting information at the fingertips of everyday Kansans," said KPI President Dave Trabert. "Everyone in the state continues to deal with a rough economy and is trying to find ways to save money. Government should be no different and now taxpayers have access to even more recent data."
Total pay declined by 0.8% from 2009 to 2010, but it is has now more than made up for that slight decline and risen to a total of $1,928,701,980.08. This includes 1,931 people who earned over $100,000 in total pay and $10.3 million paid out in overtime. Important to note is that these numbers reflect total pay and include all types of earning, while still excluding benefits such as health care, including; overtime, bonuses, etc.
Trabert continued, "One individual earned $34,877.64 in overtime last year and a total of 149 earned more than $10,000 in overtime pay. Is that a good use of state tax dollars? Maybe or maybe not, but until now it would have been very difficult for an elected official, let alone a concerned taxpayer, to know the facts about where their tax dollars go each year."
"We aim to give all Kansans a clear look at how their state and local tax dollars are being spent so they can hold government accountable. The only way to have a government by, of, and for the people is to give them easy access to unvarnished and complete information from which they can demand equally unvarnished and complete answers from their elected representatives. KansasOpenGov.org aims to do just that," concluded Trabert.
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Kansas Policy Institute is an independent think-tank that advocates for free market solutions and the protection of personal freedom for all Kansans. Our work centers on state and local economic policy with primary emphasis on education, fiscal policy and health care. We empower citizens, legislators and other government officials with objective research and creative ideas to promote a low-tax, pro-growth environment that preserves the ability of governments to provide high quality services. To speak with Kansas Policy Institute, please contact James Franko at (316) 634-0218.
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