info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Over 70,000 Kansas families may finally get broadband through $50M in COVID grants

info2020-10-09T07:43:39-05:00October 8th, 2020|

After years of unreliable service, more than 70,000 households across Kansas could finally gain access to high speed internet. The access will come from 67 public and private projects funded by nearly $50 million in federal coronavirus relief grants, Gov. Laura Kelly announced at a news conference Thursday. An additional $85 million will be spent over the next 10 years on improving statewide internet access through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Eisenhower Legacy program, Kelly said. Source: KC Star Local News

Seeds for this tree have been to the Moon; now it’s planted in Hutchinson, Kansas

info2020-10-09T07:45:06-05:00October 8th, 2020|

Last week, Hutchinson’s “moon tree” finally took its place on 11th Avenue. The seeds traveled to the Moon, became trees growing across the U.S., and descendants are still planted today in all corners of the earth. Locally, Hutchinson’s young tree waited patiently in Carla Stanfield’s office at the Cosmosphere -- the coronavirus pandemic pushed back plans to plant the tree during the Apollo mission anniversary events this spring. “Alright, little moon tree,” the public relations coordinator laughed as she patted soil around the root ball. “You get to be a real tree now.” Source: News - The Hutchinson News

Plumbers frustrated by amendment that could take away business

info2020-10-08T08:35:39-05:00October 8th, 2020|

Plumbers filled the aisles at Topeka City Council to voice frustration over a quickly approved change to the International Plumbing Code in August. Last month, plumbers said, a change in plumbing code that could take away business from plumbers was approved too quickly. The amendments allow for other contractors, such as excavators, to do work that was exclusively done by plumbers, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported Sept. 13. Source: Local Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal

Hutchinson OKs code to allow enforcement of mask rule

info2020-10-08T08:33:46-05:00October 8th, 2020|

The Hutchinson City Council adopted updated municipal codes on Tuesday that will enable enforcement of age restrictions on buying e-cigarettes and open the door to local enforcement of a mask mandate – if Reno County should adopt one. City attorney Paul Brown explained to the council that the city considers updates to the Uniform Public Offense Code for Cities annually. There were only a few recommended changes to the code this year since the Kansas Legislature didn’t change any laws last session. Source: Local - The Hutchinson News

Federal judge tosses challenge to Kansas electioneering law

info2020-10-08T08:32:40-05:00October 8th, 2020|

A federal judge dismissed Wednesday a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of state law restricting electioneering at polling places. The suit was brought by the state chapter of the ACLU on behalf of groups who contended their free speech rights were limited by the law, which bars promoting a candidate within 250 feet of a polling place. It argued that some local election officials, notably former Johnson County Election Commissioner Ronnie Metsker, who was named in the suit, were using the law to stamp out other political speech, including non-partisan activism, near polling places. In dismissing the case District Judge Holly Teeter [...]

JoCo finalizes $35 million COVID-19 aid package that includes help for small businesses, renters

info2020-10-08T08:32:05-05:00October 8th, 2020|

After months of research and meetings, Johnson County leaders have settled on a $35 million package of pandemic relief that includes small business grants, rent and workforce assistance, as well as money to improve digital access. The county’s aid package also takes aim at aging and mental health needs, as well as arts, business and child care. The spending will account for about a third of the $116.3 million the county got in federal pandemic relief funds through the CARES Act, along with another $7 million from the state to address economic struggles caused by the pandemic. Source: Prairie Village Post

Municipal Bond Trends for October 7, 2020

info2020-10-08T08:22:15-05:00October 8th, 2020|

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.

Wichita updates guidelines for economic growth

info2020-10-08T08:05:50-05:00October 7th, 2020|

Wichita city council members have approved some changes and updates to the city’s policy to promote and encourage economic growth and development. The policy covers incentives, tax abatements, financing districts and other programs offered by the city. Council member Bryan Frye said the policy will make incentives more available to small businesses, and he feels the city will see its greatest growth with small businesses. Frye said the policy will also allow the city to leverage state and federal incentives to encourage more investment in Wichita. He said another feature of the policy will encourage more development of office space. [...]

Houses selling in days as inventory reaches record tightness in Newton

info2020-10-08T08:06:35-05:00October 7th, 2020|

If you want to buy a house in Newton, good luck. Two years ago, local realtors bemoaned the tightness of the housing market with only 70 homes up for sale. Today there’s 32 homes not under contract in the city of nearly 20,000. For context, there’s 8,237 units in Newton. “I get hit up and people say there’s an awful lot of (for sale) signs up,” local realtor Arlan Newell of J.P. Weigand said. “Well, half of them are sold.” Source: Harvey County Now

Kansas legislators, governor extend COVID-19 disaster declaration to Nov. 15

info2020-10-08T08:06:54-05:00October 7th, 2020|

Gov. Laura Kelly and legislators on the State Finance Council avoided political fireworks Wednesday to authorize extension until Nov. 15 of the statewide disaster declaration instituted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. An official declaration is necessary to sustain work of state agencies collaborating with counties to deliver personal protective equipment, operate a 65,000-meal per day food pantry, support temporary housing and transport testing materials. Lack of a declaration could impede the state’s ability to handle 870,000 test kits scheduled to be sent to Kansas by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said Kansas National Guard Maj. Gen. David [...]

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