TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will increase what have been among the lowest benefits in the U.S. for workers who are injured or killed on the job under bipartisan legislation that Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law Thursday.
The new law is set to take effect in July and includes the first increases in the state's caps on total workers' compensation benefits since 2011. The bill emerged from talks among business lawyers and labor attorneys, and the Republican-controlled Legislature approved it unchanged and sent it to the Democratic governor with no lawmaker opposing it.
The total benefit for the family of a worker killed on the job will rise from $300,000 to $500,000 and the cap on benefits for a worker whose injury results in a permanent and total disability will jump from $155,000 to $400,000.
Kansas was among only a handful of states that capped benefits for a permanent and total disability, and its cap was the lowest, according to a 2022 report from the nonprofit National Academy of Social Insurance. Its total possible death benefits and its weekly maximum benefits were lower than those in all but a few states.
“The reforms in this legislation will create a more just and efficient workers compensation system that increases the benefits for injured workers while creating administrative efficiencies and maintaining stability for businesses," Kelly said in a statement.
Labor unions and trial attorneys have argued since the early 1990s that changes meant to hold down businesses' insurance costs often shorted employees. Workers receive benefits set by state law because they can't sue their employers.
The insurance academy's report said the total workers' compensation benefits paid in Kansas per $100 of wages dropped more than 18% between 2016 and 2020 to 59 cents, 13% below the U.S. average of 68 cents.
But Kelly said the new law also will streamline the handling of workers' compensation claims by restricting medical exams, requiring timely exchanges of medical records and allowing claims to be settled without hearings.
"Thankfully, experienced, level-headed professionals on both sides of this issue were able and willing to work together,” said House commerce committee Chair Sean Tarwater, a Kansas City-area Republican.
FILE - Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly speaks about the necessity to expand medicaid in Kansas during a rally, March 6, 2024, in Topeka, Kan. Kansas will increase what have been among the lowest benefits in the U.S. for workers who are injured or killed on the job under bipartisan legislation that Kelly signed into law Thursday, April 11. (Evert Nelson/The Topeka Capital-Journal via AP, File)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Josh Hart rattled a box of candy — “Mike and Ike’s, baby!” — to explain where he found the energy boost to hit the winning 3-pointer in Game 6. Hart then turned to his left and raised his right hand, expecting some love from Jalen Brunson.
Brunson left Hart hanging.
“Don’t dap him,” New York Knicks teammate Donte DiVincenzo chimed in.
Brunson joked that, yes, it was movie theater snacks that fueled Hart through the playoffs.
“It’s Mike and Ike’s. It’s popcorn,” Brunson said.
Hart then chucked some of the fruit-flavored candies toward reporters and encouraged them to try the candy. DiVincenzo buried his head in a microphone, unable to keep a straight face on a dais he shared with his two teammates.
Bonded by their desire to win a championship in New York — the Knicks’ 118-115 Game 6 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night sent them to the second round — the trio are known more for their championship runs at Villanova.
They’re all doing their part to win a ring in the NBA.
Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright, the former Villanova coach and noted 76ers fan, was surely proud somewhere at the end of Game 6.
Take a look at the final Game 6 statistics: DiVincenzo hit five 3s and scored 23 points in 48 minutes; Brunson had 41 points and 12 assists and was the first NBA player to score 40 or more to close out a series since Michael Jordan for Chicago against Cleveland in 1989; Hart hit the go-ahead 3-pointer from the top of the arc with 24.4 seconds left and scored 16 points.
As thick as brothers, right?
“I can’t stand these dudes,” DiVincenzo deadpanned.
After small laughter died down, Hart then patted DiVincenzo on the knee and said they had “great friendship.”
“On a serious note,” DiVincenzo interjected, “I think on the court, you have the ability to bring everybody together, make adjustments, have that open line of communication with nobody taking offense. I think everybody’s goal here is to win. It’s easier when you have two guys you’ve played with (before). You know, sometimes when things get heated, you know it’s coming from the right place.”
The Nova trio — and the rest of the Knicks — have at least one more round ahead of them.
The Knicks are set for an Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with Indiana. The Pacers beat Milwaukee in six games and advanced to the second round for the first time in 10 years. Game 1 is Monday night in New York.
The Knicks are through to the second round in consecutive years for the first time since the postseasons from 1992-2000, and even then, nobody did what Brunson did in this series by scoring 40 points or more in each of the final three games. He became the first Knick to do that since Bernard King 40 years ago.
In a series defined by tight games, Hart hit the clutch shot that made it 114-111 and again had “Let’s go Knicks! Let’s go Knicks!” chants echoing throughout Philly’s home court.
“The fourth quarter was just one big play after the next,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.
The fourth quarter was just one big “Let's go Knicks” roar after the next.
The Sixers’ strategy heading into Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round series was to keep Knicks fans out of Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night.
Team owners Josh Harris, David Blitzer and David Adelman and former minority owner Michael Rubin joined forces Wednesday to buy more than 2,000 tickets they handed out to people who serve the Philadelphia community.
It worked for about three quarters. By the end, though, Knicks fans turned South Philly into a little slice of Madison Square Garden.
“We knew it was going to be tough environment,” Hart said. “A little tougher than (Game 4) because it was 2,500 seats that were taken up.”
Just wait until they get back to the real deal at MSG next week.
Brunson hugged team president Leon Rose before he exited through the tunnel to “MVP! MVP!” chants from the fans clad in orange-and-blue that stuck around to the end — ready for one more series ahead.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA(backslash)
New York Knicks' Donte DiVincenzo reacts during the second half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey, center, goes up to shoot against New York Knicks' Donte DiVincenzo (0) and Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during the second half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Actor Bradley Cooper watches warmsups ahead of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' OG Anunoby (8) dunks past Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, during the second half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, and New York Knicks' Isaiah Hartenstein, right, guard against each other during the second half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' Donte DiVincenzo (0) tries to get past Philadelphia 76ers' Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) during the first half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' OG Anunoby goes up to shoot against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' Josh Hart (3) goes up to shoot during the second half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' Josh Hart reacts during the second half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' Josh Hart reacts during the second half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' Josh Hart reacts after winning Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson reacts after winning Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson, right, and Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, embrace after Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' Josh Hart (3) and New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson react after winning Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson reacts after winning Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Knicks' Josh Hart (3) and teammate Isaiah Hartenstein (55) celebrate after winning Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
