info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Powell sees no interest rate hikes on the horizon as long as inflation stays low

info2021-01-15T08:04:46-06:00January 15th, 2021|

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell affirmed his commitment to keeping interest rates low for the foreseeable future even as he expressed hope for a strong economic recovery. "When the time comes to raise interest rates, we'll certainly do that, and that time, by the way, is no time soon," the central bank chief said Thursday during a Q&A session presented by Princeton University. During the wide-ranging discussion, Powell spoke about how the Fed handled the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic as well as his expectations for what is ahead. Source: Economy

Wichita taskforce, WSU to study litter as part of debate on banning plastic bans

info2021-01-15T08:01:04-06:00January 15th, 2021|

This spring, volunteers will begin collecting litter around the city to determine how big of a problem plastic bags pose and whether they should be banned locally. A decision is at least a year away. The Wichita City Council created the Wichita Single-Use Plastic Bag Taskforce in February 2020 to assess the possibility of banning plastic bags. The task force will use the litter study, which it announced Thursday, to help make its recommendation to the city. ...The project will identify locations to pick up litter, organize volunteers in the litter collection and categorize and count the type of trash and [...]

Muni bond provision outlook is bright in new Congress

info2021-01-15T07:56:49-06:00January 15th, 2021|

The Senate's flip to a Democratic-majority makes an infrastructure bill likely to pass in the coming months, and key lawmakers support including important municipal bond provisions. ... A Democratic Congress and White House mean a solid chance for some sort of infrastructure bill to break through, sources say. This comes as the Chamber of Commerce launched an initiative on Wednesday with over 130 organizations to push for an infrastructure package by July 4. ... Municipal bond provisions are set up for success in the next Congress. Last summer House Democrats passed the Moving Forward Act, which has expired and will need [...]

Wheat market soars, topping price highs – Experts explain why

info2021-01-15T07:54:31-06:00January 15th, 2021|

It’s a bull market in grains. Farmers are watching as the wheat market soars above $6 and the one question many are wondering is, how high will it go? Being pulled by strong soybean and corn prices, wheat is not far behind, topping price highs that haven’t been seen in nearly six years according to the Kansas Wheat Commission. All major U.S. wheat classes have been climbing in the markets for weeks. “In the 40 or 45 years that we’ve farmed, I’ve seen this happen like once,” said Vance Ehmke, Lane County Farmer. Poor crop conditions and low acreage has led [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for January 14, 2021

info2021-01-15T07:53:09-06:00January 15th, 2021|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.

Kansas Senate passes bill removing tax lid; instead, requires notice if exceed “revenue neutral rate”

info2021-01-14T20:49:27-06:00January 14th, 2021|

The Kansas Senate on Thursday passed legislation to require local governments to notify residents by mail and hold public hearings before increasing property tax collections. The tax bill removes a controversial lid on yearly mill levy increases and instead establishes a “revenue neutral rate,” which adjusts the effective tax rate to account for increases in assessed property value. Cities and counties that fail to follow the rules will have to refund taxpayers. Other provisions in the bill, which passed 31-1, ban counties from increasing property values as a result of normal maintenance and give treasurers the authority to offer a payment [...]

Governor Kelly releases proposed state budget

info2021-01-15T07:49:41-06:00January 14th, 2021|

Democratic Governor Laura Kelly has outlined a proposed annual budget that includes a tax increase and two other major initiatives likely to be rejected by the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature. Kelly on Wednesday outlined a $20.9 billion spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1. Among other things, it would protect a previously promised increase in spending on public schools. But the governor also proposed expanding Medicaid and cutting the state’s annual contribution to pensions for teachers and government workers, and GOP leaders oppose both ideas. Kelly wants to impose the state sales tax on online music and movies purchases, [...]

Kansas governor says state almost done with Phase 1 of vaccinations

info2021-01-15T07:50:15-06:00January 14th, 2021|

Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday said the state of Kansas is almost done with Phase 1 of its vaccination plan, which includes doses for health care workers and people in nursing homes. Kelly made the comments before she toured a mass vaccination clinic in Wyandotte County. The tour came a week after Kelly updated the state's phases for vaccinations, to make them more simple with Phases 1-5, versus a tiered system using letters and numbers. She also said as Kansas moves into its next phase, which includes vaccinations for people 65 and older, counties are free to keep moving through subsequent [...]

Merriam wants resident feedback on future of city, including changes to Town Center, downtown

info2021-01-15T07:50:58-06:00January 14th, 2021|

The Merriam 2040 comprehensive plan is approaching final draft form, but there’s still time for residents and other stakeholders to provide input. Since July 2019, the city along with a Midwest-based consulting firm Confluence have been working on a 20-year plan to help guide future infrastructure, development and redevelopment of Merriam. A virtual public meeting on Wednesday provided an overview of the draft and offered the public a chance to provide some feedback on what’s been created so far. Board presentations will be made available at both city hall and the Merriam Community Center, and the boards will be accompanied by [...]

Shawnee council unanimously adopts new city code for homeless shelters

info2021-01-15T07:51:17-06:00January 14th, 2021|

Shawnee’s city code now includes homeless shelters, crisis shelters and emergency disaster shelters. After extensive and lengthy discussions Monday night, the Shawnee City Council unanimously adopted the new regulations that allow shelters in almost any part of the city. Shawnee’s regulations are more lenient than what city staff have seen in other communities, said Stephanie Malmborg, deputy community development director. “We pretty much across the board allow shelters in some capacity anywhere,” Malmborg said. “No other communities that I’ve seen anywhere have that flexibility, at least according to the codes that we researched.” Source: Shawnee Mission Post

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