News – Page 1858 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

KS law could get tougher against drivers using cell phones

info2020-02-19T06:45:01-06:00February 18th, 2020|

Kansas lawmakers could add teeth to laws prohibiting cellphone use while driving. A bill introduced in Topeka last week would expand what could get you pulled over and how much you could pay. At Miller's Towing and Recovery in Wichita, drivers say when it comes to distracted driving, they've nearly seen it all. ... For workers like tow-truck drivers, the distracted drivers on the road make an already challenging, stressful job even more perilous. (Read more: KWCH News)

Northeast Wichita residents ask city to help develop new grocery store

info2020-02-19T06:45:22-06:00February 18th, 2020|

Residents of northeast Wichita and members of the NAACP Youth Council are asking the city to help in finding and developing a grocery store for their area. Northeast Wichita was identified as a “food desert” by a 2013 study and the Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita is working on a ten-year food system master plan that will look at improving access to healthy foods. The Coalition is now looking for community input as they develop the plan for presentation to the city council later this year. Youth Council member Martel Carter told council members that in northeast Wichita there are more [...]

Artists chosen for project to celebrate Wichita’s 150th birthday

info2020-02-18T16:50:28-06:00February 18th, 2020|

The community organization Together Wichita has chosen artists and teams that will be working to design and paint 13 Keeper of the Plains sculptures as part of a tribute to the city’s 150th birthday. The project is called Keeper 150, and it will have ten-foot-tall Keeper sculptures that will be placed at city parks. More than 50 artists attended an informational meeting in January and and submissions were accepted through February 3rd. (Read more: KFDI 101.3)

Columbus voters to decide $14 million bond issue

info2020-02-19T06:46:03-06:00February 18th, 2020|

Voters in the Columbus School District could soon be deciding a $14 million bond issue. If passed, this project would add four storm shelters to their high school, reorganize students and also shut down Highland Elementary. Brian Smith, Superintendent, Columbus School District, said, “Really we’re focused on school safety and security and becoming more efficient with the school district going forward.” (Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)

Roeland Park to consider city-level move making racially discriminatory HOA language illegal

info2020-02-19T06:46:46-06:00February 18th, 2020|

The Roeland Park city council on Monday evening discussed an amendment to its non-discrimination ordinance that would outlaw discriminatory language in home owners associations covenants. Although the United States Supreme Court has found racially restrictive covenants unenforceable, many property-related documents “in Roeland Park still contain covenants banning African Americans, Jews and other ethnic groups from ownership or occupancy,” according to city documents. Councilmember Benjamin Dickens, alongside Kelly and the city attorney, spearheaded the effort by bringing the amendment forward with a memorandum. (Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Expansion of STAR bonds could fund development around KU Medical Center

info2020-02-19T06:47:19-06:00February 18th, 2020|

A Kansas Department of Commerce official told lawmakers Monday that expanding the scope of STAR bonds would allow the agency to approve public funding for a development project around the University of Kansas Medical Center. Skeptical House Republicans questioned David Soffer, policy director for the commerce department, on legislation that would overhaul and extend the use of Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, a 20-year-old state program aimed at developing tourist attractions. The program is set to expire this year. Soffer defended the agency’s proposal to add “significant” medical facility and business offices to the list of projects eligible for taxpayer-supported investments. These [...]

Upcoming Trainings & Workshops!

info2023-02-10T07:50:40-06:00February 18th, 2020|

Wednesday, February 22, 2023 Water Rate Checkup Tool Workshop (Junction City) 2/22/2023 Location: Junction City, Kansas Time: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Kansas Department of Labor rules Shawnee Mission 3-year unilateral contract was impermissible

info2020-02-17T20:51:35-06:00February 17th, 2020|

The Kansas Department of Labor sided with the Shawnee Mission teachers union on Friday, ruling that the school board committed a “prohibited practice” when it imposed a three-year unilateral contract. The teachers union challenged the legality of the contract, which was approved by the school board on Jan. 30 after negotiations failed. The National Education Association-Shawnee Mission filed an emergency prohibited practice complaint with the labor department claiming the district did not have the authority to issue such a long-term unilateral contract. The labor department agreed, stating that by imposing a three-year contract, the district denied the union its right to negotiate terms for [...]

Senate bill may end tax lid law

info2020-02-17T20:50:29-06:00February 17th, 2020|

The Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation on Thursday advanced a bill to the full Senate that would effectively end Kansas’ tax lid law but substitute another in its place. Senate Bill 294, which would take effect Jan. 1, 2021, if passed, advanced from the taxation committee after an hour-long hearing Thursday that involved a number of other bills. ... SB294 is considered a transparency bill but it essentially forces cities and counties and certain other taxing entities to keep budgets even from year to year. Going above a revenue neutral rate, a term added to the bill on Thursday, would [...]

Municipal Bond Trends for February 14, 2020

info2020-04-16T08:06:38-05:00February 17th, 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 Advisors.