Kansas is one of 21 states suing the U.S. Department of Labor over a new rule regarding overtime pay.
If the rule stands, close to 4 million additional workers in the U.S. would be eligible for extra compensation when they work more than 40 hours a week. That's because the Department of Labor ordered a change that effectively doubles the wage threshold at which a worker can be deemed "exempt" from overtime pay.
All workers who make less than $47,476 a year will be eligible. The rule includes government employees.
The states’ lawsuit alleges that the Department of Labor exceeded its authority in ordering the change. In a written statement, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said close to 40,000 private workers in the state will be affected, as will about 20 percent of all exempt state employees.
The rule is scheduled to take effect Dec. 1 of this year.
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