Kansas financially protecting workers who refuse COVID shots

By JOHN HANNA
AP Political Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has brushed aside complaints from fellow Democrats about signing a Republican measure aimed at financially protecting workers who refuse to get COVID-19 vaccines. She declared Tuesday that, in her words, “leadership means seeking compromise.” Kelly acted with unusual speed and signed the bill the afternoon after its passage by the GOP-controlled Legislature just before midnight Monday during a one-day special session. Kansas is making it easy for workers to claim religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine requirements and promising unemployment benefits to people who are fired after refusing the shots. The votes Monday night were 24-11 in the Senate and 77-34 in the House.