Lawmakers call for Labor Dept. fix Hays Daily News When Kansas gets its share of Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package, one Ellis County legislator hopes some money will help the state’s hard-hit unemployment fund. Sen. Rick Billinger, R-40th Senate District, said that before the pandemic, Kansas had close to $1 billion in the fund. But more than $600 million in fraudulent claims, plus huge numbers of Kansans with legitimate claims, have taken a toll, he said Saturday during a virtual legislative coffee. “That’s not state money, that’s employers’ money. That’s their fund,” Billinger said. “I’m hopeful that we will be able to help some there.”