Ranson Financial, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

A sense of credit caution is being felt in the municipal market

The municipal bond market was steady Thursday amid the pricing of several new issues, including a low-rated Guam Waterworks $134 million deal. Despite the market’s recent firmness, however, a real sense of caution is coming into play. Some sources say the municipal market needs to begin pricing in downside risk from the coronavirus-led revenue losses for issuers across the country, and that the market is largely ignoring the potential of real risk of impairments and defaults. Municipal to U.S. Treasury ratios have been a focus for many participants of late. Historically attractive ratios, low supply, and continued fund inflows are creating some strength in the municipal market.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:20:55-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Emporia discusses budget, appropriations concerns amid pandemic

City of Emporia Finance Director Janet Harouff spoke with city commissioners about estimated decreases in the transient guest tax fund during a Wednesday morning study session. The decrease, which has been spurred on by the novel coronavirus pandemic, could affect some remaining appropriations payments for 2020. Without such economic drivers as the Glass Blown Open and Dirty Kanza over the summer, Harouff estimated the city could see an approximate $400,000 decrease in guest tax revenue. She advised that commissioners could be facing some tough decisions in the realm of appropriation requests moving forward, especially for entities such as Emporia Granada Theatre, the arts council and Red Rocks historic site.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:21:45-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Greenwood County sets Phase 2 end date for June 8

Greenwood County commissioners met for a special meeting Monday evening after Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced control would pass to local counties to establish restrictions for their individual county reopening plans. Commissioners voted to continue the current restrictions put in place by the modified Phase 2 of the state reopening plan until June 8. Greenwood County Public Health Officer Vickie Lindsey-Ross recommended continuing to observe this two-week period in order to monitor any outbreaks of COVID-19 resulting from gatherings over the Memorial Day holiday. If there is no outbreak of positive COVID cases by June 8, commissioners will allow the order to expire and Greenwood County will open up in full at that time with no restrictions.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:21:59-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Slower economic recovery feared in Wichita

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran said lower demand in travel and previous disruptions to Boeing production orders could lead to a slower economic recovery in Wichita. “We may be slower to recover, the needs may still be there in Wichita,” he said. “Where employment may be slower than in other places in the country to return as we work to get our commercial airlines back in the country.” He made the remarks on Thursday while touring a food pantry, which has seen a forty percent increase in the demand for services since the pandemic began. Moran’s tour comes before he goes back to Washington. Last month, Senate Republicans declined to pass a relief package proposed by House Democrats. They wanted, among other things, provisions to protect small business liability.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:22:13-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Winfield celebrates National Teacher of the Year: Tabatha Rosproy

Small town Kansas didn’t look so small Wednesday evening as Winfield held one heck of a party for one of its own — dozens took part in the special drive-by celebration for National Teacher of the Year Tabatha Rosproy. Rosproy’s community came out full throttle to celebrate her recognition with signs, floats, streamers, and a whole lot of smiles. “We just had the best time — it was incredible being named National Teacher of the Year during a pandemic,” Rosproy said. “We weren’t sure there was going to be a celebration, but I know Winfield and they brought it big for me and I couldn’t be prouder to be from here,” she said. Rosproy is the first preschool teacher to win the award and the first Kansan to do so in more than 60 years.
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:22:20-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Rebuilding America: Local businesses down, but not out

Kevin Rule put on a smile and headed to work like he’d done every day for over 30 years. Ever the optimist, he did his best to get to his business, the Sleep Shoppe and Furniture Gallery in downtown Hutchinson, which he owns with his wife. But it wasn’t just another day of work; his showroom doors had been locked following a stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. “My statement forever has been that I refuse to participate in any economic downturn,” Rule said. “I get out of bed every morning; I’m an optimistic person; I go to work, and I’m the leader of the fun parade within my organization.”
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:20:21-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Kansas public higher education absorbs $90 million financial impact from COVID-19

Kansas’ system of public higher education took a $90.7 million financial hit in the current fiscal year from the spread of COVID-19 that in March abruptly transformed operation of universities and the community and technical colleges. The financial estimate for the year ending June 30 didn’t include disruption of sports and research activities at the seven universities, 19 community colleges and six technical colleges governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. Bulk of the budget problems are at University of Kansas and Kansas State University. The KU and KU Medical Center campuses calculated current fiscal year operational costs of the pandemic at $30.5 million, while K-State put the figure at $22.1 million.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:23:05-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Wichita mayor frustrated with county decision to let everything open during pandemic

The mayor of Kansas’ largest city said he’s frustrated with a decision to lift coronavirus restrictions and wishes cities had more power to drive public health policy during the pandemic. “We actually have no authority to pass stay-in orders or to pass the types of restrictions that let’s say the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, can do,” Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said Thursday. Instead, county governments across the state have assumed responsibility for coronavirus response after Gov. Laura Kelly’s phased-reopening emergency order expired Wednesday.
(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:23:20-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

New Dodge City manager to start June 1

Nick Hernandez will officially begin his tenure as Dodge City’s new city manager, effectively replacing current city manager Cherise Tieben on June 1. Tieben will retire on June 16, but between then, will introduce Hernandez to Dodge City community partners and the operational procedures. Hernandez served nine years as city manager for Arkansas City, Kan., but is a Ford County native, having grown up in Spearville for 16 years before moving to and graduating from high school in Ashland.
(Read more: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:23:36-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

Rebuilding America: Local tourism spots see winds of change

Boot Hill Museum planned to hold a grand reopening after the completion of its initial expansion project, but with the interruptions caused by COVID-19, it was pushed back to fall in line with Gov. Laura Kelly’s plan for a phased reopening of the state. Boot Hill Museum’s Laura Tawater said the museum was then set to reopen sometime in mid-May, but that again was delayed by institution of a new Phase 1.5. Despite these postponements, Boot Hill Museum continues to work on its reopening plan.
(Read more: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)

Ranson Financial2020-05-29T08:24:09-05:00May 29, 2020|News|

About Ranson Financial

A sense of credit caution is being felt in the municipal market

Emporia discusses budget, appropriations concerns amid pandemic

Greenwood County sets Phase 2 end date for June 8

Slower economic recovery feared in Wichita

Winfield celebrates National Teacher of the Year: Tabatha Rosproy

Rebuilding America: Local businesses down, but not out

Kansas public higher education absorbs $90 million financial impact from COVID-19

Wichita mayor frustrated with county decision to let everything open during pandemic

New Dodge City manager to start June 1

Rebuilding America: Local tourism spots see winds of change

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