Tensions flared as state and local politicians clashed over property taxes, setting the stage for what is likely to be a heated tax dispute next legislative session. The area of agreement is a mutual desire to cut property taxes. The dispute is over whether the state should put money into a fund intended to help pay for local property tax cuts, or if the state should cut its own property taxes. A movement has been growing to fund the local ad valorem tax reduction fund, or LAVTR, for the first time in 20 years. The LAVTR remains part of state law, [...]

Kansas will add 54,000 jobs that require some level of college education this decade, but the state is poised to fall well short of that demand, one of the state's top labor economists told the Kansas Board of Regents. To meet the demand, Kansas would need to produce an additional 34,000 degrees by 2030 — a tall order as Kansas continues to see many of its young college graduates move out-of-state for higher paying jobs. ... “Given the increase in technology, artificial intelligence and robots, most jobs are going to require some credential,” the distinguished economics professor told the Regents. “The [...]

Topeka is full of historical treasures dating back to the founding of the state, but many of the city’s most iconic buildings have faced uncertain futures. Advanced decay and disrepair, a lack of funding and the absence of interested buyers are roadblocks to preservation efforts. Private citizens purchased and funded the rehabilitation of properties with significant historical ties to Kansas, including the Charles Curtis House, the Thacher Building and the Jayhawk Theatre. Source: CJonline

Next Wednesday, county treasurers and their staff from across Southwest Kansas will converge in Liberal for a conference. The Southwest Kansas County Treasurers Association will host its annual conference at the Activity Center, and Seward County Treasurer Mary Rose said the association is made up of offices from 17 counties. “The Kansas County Treasurers Association is all 105 counties, and they’ve divided it up into districts,” she said. “Southwest Kansas is one. They go down the list starting in alphabetical order of who gets to host the county treasurers event for Southwest Kansas. This year, we were asked to host it, [...]