News – Page 1145 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Border War? All’s fair in love and Chiefs, Kelly says

info2022-04-04T07:00:19-05:00April 4th, 2022|

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said Thursday that although her home state and Missouri signed a truce to the eco-devo border war, the agreement not to poach companies on either side of the state line “didn’t include the Chiefs.” During a visit to a Roeland Park Price Chopper store regarding her plan to cut sales taxes on food, Kelly responded to a question about the team leaving Arrowhead Stadium by saying, “I would be all for it, obviously,” KCTV reports. Source: Kansas City Business Journal

Lawrence police ask fans to ‘rock chalk responsibly’; so far, so good

info2022-04-04T00:36:45-05:00April 4th, 2022|

Despite thousands of people flooding the street to party Saturday, there were no serious injuries, accidents or property damage reported, according to Lawrence police. Lt. Amy Rhoads said Sunday morning that she wasn’t even aware of any citations issued. That would qualify as rock chalking responsibly, and that’s what she said officers are hoping fans will do Monday night, too. Following the Jayhawks’ 2008 championship win, more than 80,000 people came downtown to celebrate, according to the city. The city estimates that on Saturday, there were between 15,000 and 20,000 people filling between four and five blocks of Massachusetts Street. Source: [...]

Governor meets with grocers to discuss eliminating sales tax on groceries

info2022-04-04T00:35:15-05:00April 4th, 2022|

Gov. Laura Kelly led a roundtable discussion with Kansas grocers at a Price Chopper in Roeland Park today to discuss her “Axe the Food Tax” plan. The plan will eliminate the 6.5% state sales tax on groceries and will save an average family nearly $500 a year. “Kansans have been paying more for groceries than people in almost every other state,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “With pandemic-induced inflation affecting families and their pocketbooks, it’s more important than ever we provide immediate financial relief for Kansans by eliminating the food tax.” Source: Wyandotte Daily

Emerging Leaders: Wichita neglects downtown with east-versus-west mentality

info2022-04-04T07:03:30-05:00April 3rd, 2022|

A lot has changed in the 14 years that Katrina Gough has lived near downtown Wichita. "I used to be too afraid to walk downtown and enjoy everything we had down here," said Gough, who works at WaterWalk. "Now it feels very comfortable... Walking down here, that's the joy of being so close to downtown, and I think a lot more people would take advantage of it, but we've got this weird divide in Wichita where east side doesn't want to come too far west, or west side doesn't come too far east. "It doesn't make it easy to get everyone [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for April 1, 2022

info2022-04-03T09:38:27-05:00April 3rd, 2022|

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 Court of Appeals: Refunding Bonds & Special Assessments

info2022-04-08T09:40:27-05:00April 1st, 2022|

After accepting a developer's petition to finance street, sewer, and water improvements for a housing development under K.S.A. 12-6a01 et seq., the City of Wichita levied special assessments against David L. and Leslie J. Snodgrass (Appellants), and other property owners in 2004. The City issued bonds to pay for the improvements, then in 2011 issued refunding bonds to benefit from lower interest rates. But the City did not refund to property owners any of the money it saved by doing so. Appellants sued the City and individually named defendants asserting an entitlement to money based on the difference between the interest [...]

Lawmakers inch toward food sales tax deal

info2022-04-01T07:06:33-05:00April 1st, 2022|

Kansas lawmakers may have a new plan for cutting the state’s food sales tax as the Legislature approaches a pair of deadlines on the governor’s signature policy proposal. Gov. Laura Kelly and the House and Senate tax committees have put forth their own proposals, but none have been debated or passed by either chamber of the Legislature. Rep. Adam Smith, R-Weskan, laid out the concept during a Wednesday conference committee between tax policymakers — a meeting of select senators and representatives to hammer out differences between bills. The plan would cut the state’s 6.5% sales tax rate on food — the [...]

Hutchinson Schools’ new superintendent balances military career and new role in education

info2022-04-01T07:05:23-05:00April 1st, 2022|

In early February, Hutchinson Public Schools USD 308 Board of Education named Dawn Johnson the new superintendent for the 2022-2023 school year. Since then, Johnson said she's been planning what she intends to do in her first year as superintendent. Johnson's career in education began more than 30 years ago. She spent the first half as an educator, teaching English to middle and high school students. Source: Hutch News

Municipal Bond Trends for March 31, 2022

info2022-04-01T07:04:19-05:00April 1st, 2022|

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.

Baxter Springs PD receives donation to buy ten AR-15 rifles

info2022-04-01T06:51:52-05:00April 1st, 2022|

A local police department just received a $7,500 donation to update equipment. The Ronald O. Thomas Charitable Foundation donated a check to the Baxter Springs Police Department today. The donated funds have purchased ten AR-15 rifles and optics for each officer. Prior to the donation, the department had three rifles that were becoming outdated. The rifles will provide a better quality of weaponry and will protect officers in high-risk situations. "Should an incident or an active shooter event take place within our community, it allows us to respond and place, accurate rounds on a target without endangering innocent bystanders," said Brian [...]