News – Page 1457 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Governor Laura Kelly Signs Bipartisan Legislation to Aid Kansas’s Economic Recovery

info2021-04-16T08:33:28-05:00April 16th, 2021|

Governor Laura Kelly signed four bipartisan bills into law to drive economic growth and strengthen Kansas’ economy. Senate Bills 65, 66, 90, and 124 are part of Governor Kelly’s Growth Agenda, a multifaceted legislative approach to improving Kansas’ ability to attract major businesses and strengthen our economy in accordance with the Framework for Growth strategic plan. Each bill strengthens a specific area of Kansas economic development: ... SB 90 – This bill significantly expands the types of projects allowed in Kansas Rural Housing Incentive Districts (RHID) and enables the renovation into residential use (including vertical construction) of buildings and structures more [...]

Emporia commission seeks to minimize risk in Rural Housing Incentive District policy

info2021-04-16T08:31:26-05:00April 16th, 2021|

The Emporia City Commission discussed updates to its Rural Housing Incentive District policy for a third time on Wednesday, focusing mostly on mitigating risk to the city. Special projects coordinator Jim Witt took the commission through the proposed changes to the policy with the intention to vote on adopting the policy during next week’s action session. Commissioner Jon Geitz supports the policy but expressed concern regarding how to protect the city’s investment in infrastructure in the event that a developers’ project failed. “The taxpayers are the ones with the most at risk and the least to gain and the developer and [...]

Johnson County considers changing strategy and ending mass vaccination clinics

info2021-04-16T08:29:53-05:00April 16th, 2021|

The Johnson County Health Department is considering a change in tactics to get more COVID-19 vaccinations into arms. Health leaders in the county said about 20% of the entire population are vaccinated. If you look at only those age 16 and up who live in the county and are eligible for the vaccine, the percentage jumps to about 25%. "We are not where we need to be," Dr. Sanmi Areola, Director of the Johnson County Health Department, said. Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 - WDAF

Lawrence pauses improvements to site of Santa Fe depot after potentially historic brickwork uncovered

info2021-04-16T08:09:05-05:00April 16th, 2021|

Improvements at the Santa Fe depot have recently been put on hold after the city’s contractor discovered a brick surface beneath the existing gravel parking lot. The 1950s-era train station is an example of midcentury modern architecture, and the station is on the National Register of Historic Places. A Kansas Department of Transportation grant, which the city was awarded in 2013, funded 80% of an approximately $2 million project to rehabilitate the depot. Source: LJWorld.com.

Strong demand for municipal bonds continues

info2021-04-16T08:06:44-05:00April 16th, 2021|

“The muni market is on fire,” Ashton Goodfield, head of municipal bonds at DWS, said on Thursday, noting that tax-exempt valuations versus taxable alternatives have been holding near record lows. Goodfield said investors have built cash balances over the last year as demand for income was high and interest paid on cash investment was near zero. In addition, other supporting factors are the high credit quality nature of the muni market, recently buffeted by fiscal support, as well as the demand for tax-exempt income at the same time the notion that tax rates for wealthy individuals could increase during the current [...]

Kansas Supreme Court issues new rules for residents suing over COVID-19 restrictions

info2021-04-16T07:13:21-05:00April 16th, 2021|

The Kansas Supreme Court earlier this week issued administrative rules for Kansans who want to sue over a COVID-19 order under newly passed law Senate Bill 40. The new emergency rules took into account that some may not be represented by an attorney, a news release said. But those who fail to follow the rules in requesting a court hearing shouldn't be rejected and be given opportunity to comply. SB 40 lets any person who is aggrieved by a COVID-19 order or restriction to bring to court a request to get relief from the order. Such a hearing would have to [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for April 15, 2021

info2021-04-16T06:58:49-05:00April 16th, 2021|

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.

ACLU says Johnson County city’s new law is unconstitutional, will hurt the poor

info2021-04-16T06:56:40-05:00April 15th, 2021|

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and the National Homelessness Law Center have warned the city of Merriam that a new law that limits panhandling in certain medians is unconstitutional and could harm homeless residents. The Merriam City Council in February voted 6-2 to approve the new ordinance banning pedestrians from standing or sitting on medians at nine high-traffic intersections, other than to legally cross the street. City officials said the law is aimed at cutting down on car crashes and ensuring the safety of pedestrians, and is not meant to penalize panhandlers — despite concerns from some residents and [...]

Lenexa City Center ‘smart pavement’ plan moves forward

info2021-04-16T06:57:09-05:00April 15th, 2021|

Lenexa is advancing plans with Integrated Roadways and Kiewit Engineering to install “smart pavement” in Lenexa City Center. In a presentation to the Lenexa City Council on Tuesday, representatives from the two companies gave a status update on the Showcase City Center project, which involves deploying “smart pavement” panels at five key intersections within the city’s centralized hub. The city council will consider approving a master implementation agreement with the two companies for the 10-year Smart Infrastructure Program at its next meeting. The agreement establishes the requirements for the project, and also prohibits sensors within the “smart pavement” from collecting any [...]

Wichita’s public pools and splash pads will open next month, city says

info2021-04-16T06:57:24-05:00April 15th, 2021|

The City of Wichita plans to open all city pools and splash pads on Memorial Day. The city passed an aquatics plan costing nearly $20 million in 2019. Pools and splash pads in the first phase were expected to open last summer, but because of COVID-19, swimmers had to wait another year. Wichita Aquatics Manager Brian Hill said last week that at the updated locations across town, you'll see different forms of art like murals and sculptures. This year, Memorial Day is May 31. Hill said because pools were closed last year, the city was able to accelerate construction. Phase two centers will open [...]