TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Democrats have announced a plan to avoid state worker furloughs if a budget deal is not passed by June 7.

House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs said Wednesday the measure would prevent state workers from being held hostage by the budget deadlock.

Administration officials have said that the state does not have the authority to pay non-essential workers beyond June 6 if a budget is not passed. The Democratic proposal would provide enough money for employee salaries over the next eight weeks.

The Kansas House GOP responded to the Democratic bill by tweeting that the House is scheduled to vote on a budget that would avoid furloughs. But that budget would need to also be approved by the Senate and signed by the governor.