info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Munis again roiled by coronavirus-led volatility as spread-widening grows

info2020-04-03T09:01:08-05:00April 3rd, 2020|

The municipal market is facing never-before-seen challenges. A work-from-home workforce scattered about, liquidity constraints, ever-growing credit concerns and a mostly shut down economy that still somehow must provide market access. Like the middle of March, the tone in the market has moved from a strong seller’s market to one where bidders could name their price. Credit concerns are impacting the municipal market in a large way, according to Karel Citroen, head of municipal research at investment manager Conning. “The spread widening is causing deals that were set to price, either get repriced or postponed, now showing up as day-to-day,” Citroen said [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for April 2, 2020

info2020-04-16T08:06:25-05:00April 3rd, 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.

Riley County Clerk pushing for all mail-in election; logistics still a huge question

info2020-04-03T08:48:52-05:00April 2nd, 2020|

Depending on the length of the COVID-19 pandemic, some questions are beginning to mount over what effect, if any it will have on the 2020 elections. Current state law prohibits all mail ballot elections in an election with a candidate’s name on the ballot. They can only be used for special questions. Kansas State University Department of Communications Associate Professor Dr. Tim Shaffer says if a change is made, it will need to happen quickly. “The reality is, voting by mail is going to require a lot of logistics if we were to do it on a national scale, at this [...]

Kansas plans to increase testing soon in fight against virus

info2020-04-03T08:49:16-05:00April 2nd, 2020|

Kansas expects an influx of coronavirus tests in the compig weeks that should help with efforts to bring the pandemic under control, the state’s top health official says. Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas secretary of health and environment, said Wednesday that he expects to have up to 64,000 test kits that can produce results in 45 minutes, the Lawrence Journal-World reports. “Very clearly we need to do population studies, meaning testing people who are well,” Norman said. “It’s very fundamental work and will push the analysis (of the virus) upstream. But until that time, social distancing is the name of the game.” [...]

State tax revenue steady in March; Gov. Kelly expects ’huge hit’ in April

info2020-04-03T08:49:47-05:00April 2nd, 2020|

The calm-before-the-storm state revenue report for March revealed a narrow uptick in income and sales tax collections. In one month, the April report from the Kansas Department of Revenue is expected to reflect economic damage of a massive business slowdown and the influence of a decision by Gov. Laura Kelly to extend the deadline for filing state income tax returns until July 15. “As consumer spending patterns change, retail sales tax and compensating use tax collections could experience a major decline in the months to come,” said Mark Burghart, secretary of the state’s revenue department. “We expect the uncertain business and [...]

State looks for compliance in GPS data gleaned from cellphones; infections at 552 with 14 deaths

info2020-04-03T08:50:11-05:00April 2nd, 2020|

A promotional flyer last week beckoned Norton-area residents to “get out of the house” and cruise the town’s main drag “like we used to do,” a welcome respite from increasing pressure by health experts to avoid transmission of the coronavirus by sheltering at home. About 300 showed up for Friday Night Lights in the small western Kansas town near the Nebraska border, where revelers stayed in their car and practiced social distancing before, during and after the event. Norton County’s rating for social distancing dropped from an A to a F in a trendy scorecard promoted by Unacast, a private company [...]

How the CARES Act Will Benefit Local Government and School Districts

info2020-04-03T08:51:17-05:00April 2nd, 2020|

Last Friday, the president signed into law House Bill 748, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.” In it, the Federal government authorized more than $2 trillion in emergency relief aid for individual taxpayers, businesses, public health institutions, and state and local governments. We’ve looked through the bill to see where local governments might find some relief from the impact of the pandemic response and have identified a number of potential avenues. The bill itself is little more than a list of authorizations for various expenditures with qualifications and formulas to determine where the money flows. There is still plenty [...]

Good Neighbor Program serves a need in Shawnee County

info2020-04-03T08:51:47-05:00April 2nd, 2020|

For those of you who are stuck at home, there is help nearby when it comes to getting your essential goods delivered. The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office has a new program to deliver groceries and other necessities straight to your door. Jackson, Geary and Brown County sheriffs’ offices are doing something similar. If you need assistance you can place your order with a participating store and then call the sheriff’s program number to provide them with the details. The number for Shawnee County is 785-251-2444. The service is offered Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 4:00pm. Sheriff Brian Hill said “the [...]

Sedgwick County launches page to report Stay-at-Home order violations

info2020-04-03T08:51:56-05:00April 2nd, 2020|

Sedgwick County residents now have a way to report violations of Gov. Laura Kelly's order to stay at home to slow the spread of COVID-19. The county launched its Stay at Home Order Reporting page on Thursday. The county says each report will be documented and reviewed. If it is determined that a non-essential business is operating or a non-essential activity is occurring, the appropriate parties will be contacted. (Read more: KWCH News)

Coffey County is state’s hot spot for COVID-19

info2020-04-02T16:59:02-05:00April 2nd, 2020|

Although urban areas may have more cases, the number of confirmed cases per 10,000 residents is 2.7 times higher in Coffey County than in any other county and most of the counties with infection rates that high are near that county. (Read more: Marion County RECORD)

About info