TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – The chairwoman of a Kansas Senate committee doesn’t expect it to vote this year on a bill barring public employee unions from automatically deducting money from members’ paychecks to fund political activities.

The measure has already been approved by the House but has inspired strong opposition from labor organizations, who believe it’s designed to lessen their influence. Supporters say it protects workers from having money deducted for activities they don’t support.

The bill is before the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee. But the panel had its last scheduled meeting of the year Thursday. Chairwoman Terrie Huntington, a Republican from Fairway, says any bill still before the committee will lay over until next year. Legislators expect to adjourn their annual session in early May.

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