By KEN CARPENTER
Great Bend Post
Governor Laura Kelly signed a bill on Tuesday which allows Kansas workers to claim religious exemptions from COVID-19 mandates and provide unemployment benefits to people fired for refusing the shots. The bill was overwhelmingly approved by state lawmakers during a special legislative session on Monday.
State Representative Tory Arnberger who represents parts of Barton County told Eagle Radio that she is in favor of the measure.
“I voted yes because I felt like we as Kansans need to be making decisions for Kansas and not have [Washington] D.C. be making decisions for Kansas,” Arnberger explained. “Is it a perfect bill? No, but it allows some job security for those who are fearful for losing their jobs.”
The Kansas Chamber of Commerce which represents much of the business community in the state opposed the legislation. Arnberger said she understands the Chamber's position.
“Their biggest concern is they don’t like mandates,” Arnberger commented. “They don’t want us to tell employers what to do. And I agree to an extent, but I also consider this on the flip side mandating your employees to get the shot. If you don’t want to get it, then you shouldn’t have to get it. And there are other reasons such as the religious belief or the medical exemption and so forth.”
Arnberger said the law is retroactive to Sept. 9.
State Senator Alicia Straub, who also represents Barton County in the state legislature, did not respond to Eagle Radio's request for information about her vote or views on the issue.