Kansas Municipal News
Las Vegas pushes to become first to ban ornamental grass
A desert city built on a reputation for excess and indulgence wants to become a model for restraint and conservation with a first-in-the-nation policy banning grass that nobody walks on. Las Vegas-area water officials have spent two decades trying to get people to replace thirsty greenery with desert plants, and now they’re asking the Nevada Legislature to outlaw roughly 40% of the turf that’s left. The Southern Nevada Water Authority estimates there are almost 8 square miles (21 square kilometers) of “nonfunctional turf” in the metro area — grass that no one ever walks on or otherwise uses in street medians, housing developments and office parks.
Source: Wichita Breaking News, Sports & Crime |
Ex-employee tampered with Kansas water plant, feds say, a sign of online vulnerability
Wyatt Travnichek was just entering his 20s, but he had a vital job. After residents across eight central Kansas counties headed home for the night, Travnichek would keep watch — virtually — over the utility that supplied them with clean drinking water. As a worker at the Post Rock Rural Water District, headquartered in Ellsworth, he was periodically responsible for monitoring the plant after hours by remotely logging into its computer system. His duties lasted until he resigned in January 2019, the circumstances of which are unclear. Two months later, an unauthorized person gained remote access to the Post Rock system and shut down the facility’s cleaning and disinfecting procedures.
Source: Wichita News
Powell says it’s ‘highly unlikely’ the Fed will raise rates this year, despite stronger economy
Despite what he sees as a rapidly recovering economy, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Sunday reaffirmed the central bank’s commitment to keep loose monetary policy on place. That includes a statement of near-certainty that interest rates won’t be going anywhere as inflation remains tame and millions of Americans remain in need of assistance as the nation rebuilds from the damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. “I think it’s highly unlikely that we would raise rates anything like this year,” Powell told “60 Minutes” journalist Scott Pelley in a broadcast Sunday evening .”I’m in a position to guarantee that the Fed will do everything we can to support the economy for as long as it takes to complete the recovery,” he added.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Inaugural Columbus Classic had disc golfers from the area competing for a good cause
Kansas residents competed in a disc golf tournament all for a good cause. Southeast Kansas was the spot Saturday to catch some tailwind and maybe make a hole in one. It wasn’t golf, though — instead, it was disc golf at Columbus City Park for the first ever Columbus Classic. It’s all for the Titan Kids program to provide clothes and food for students in Columbus Schools USD 493. 40 participants were able to compete in advanced, senior, recreation, and youth levels.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Early Childhood Education Needs in Crawford County
Access to early childhood education continues to be a struggle nationwide. Many parents often find themselves on a waiting list, because there simply aren’t enough spaces. Right now, only 65 percent of children in Crawford County are able to get an early childhood education. This means for every space in the county, there are eleven to twenty waiting for a spot. A couple of women are hoping to change that. Kari Cronister and Kristina Cullison are starting the conversation, to help bring those needed spaces to Crawford County. “A lof of people joke ‘Before you’re even pregnant you need to get on a waiting list'”, says Crawford County resident Karlea Abel. “We were just thrilled when our turn finally came, it almost felt like winning the lottery a little bit.” For many like Karlea, finding those high quality early childhood education options has been a journey.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Old buildings, new opportunities in Salina
Salina’s school buildings are iconic. Structures built decades ago illustrate unique architecture not seen in the community anymore. But over the years, when a school closes, that building sits empty. Now, some school buildings have found a new purpose. One of these buildings is Lowell School, located at 1009 Highland Ave. It was first built in 1915 with an addition constructed in the 1960s. After USD 305 closed the school, it was purchased by Salina Christian Academy to become a school once again.
Source: Salina Journal.
KS Supreme Court: Jayhawk Racing and Heartland Raceway vs. City of Topeka
SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1. City revenue projects may be divided into two categories: projects that serve a “governmental” or “legislative” function, and projects that serve a “proprietary” or
“administrative” function.
2. Whether an ordinance is administrative or legislative depends on the unique facts of each case.
3. No single act of a governing body is likely to be solely legislative or solely administrative in nature.
4. The development, introduction, or improvement of services are, by and large, considered governmental.
5. The power to levee a tax generally belongs to the class of governmental power.
6. One city council may not bind a subsequent one to its political decisions involving the exercise of government functions.
7. Parties contracting with municipal corporations are bound at their peril to know the authority of the municipal body with which he or she deals.
8. Parties contracting with municipal corporations are deemed to understand the law of this State, and they knowingly assume the risk associated with such contracts.
Read the opinion.
Prewitt begins life as Garden City Chief of Police
Garden City has a new Chief of Police. Courtney Prewitt was sworn in as the Chief of Police for the Garden City Police Department on March 29.
Prior to becoming Chief Prewitt was a Captain and has been with the GCPD since 1999. A native of Garden City, Prewitt graduated from Garden City High School in 1993.
Source: GC Telegram.
Municipal Bond Trends for April 8, 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.
Whats new at Shawnee Mission Park? Bike repair station, shade pavilion, other amenities
A refurbished entrance now welcomes visitors entering Shawnee Mission Park from Renner Road, along with a memorial plaza honoring the first superintendent of what’s now Johnson County Park and Recreation District. The John Barkley Plaza was designed not only to provide a meeting spot for park visitors but also to tell the story of Barkley and the evolution of the county park system. Other features include seat walls, a shade pavilion, a drinking fountain, a bike-share rack and a bike repair station, along with an existing flagpole near the park entrance. “John Barkley’s love for nature, combined with his vision and dedication to provide public park space for the community to enjoy outdoor recreation and nature, made him the perfect fit,” said Jeff Stewart, executive director of the park district.
Source: Joco 913 News
Dig deep into Ark City-area history
A presentation on the history of Arkansas City and the Walnut Valley is from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Wright Room at Cowley College. The Etzanoa Conservancy, Anthropology Program at Cowley College, USD470, Visit Ark City and the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum will conduct the presentation. The event is free and open to the public. Spanish conquistador and explorer Juan de Oñate in 1601 encountered a great settlement called Etzanoa at the confluence of the Arkansas and Walnut rivers. Based on translations of the Spanish documents, it appears this town was home to 20,000 people, more than Ark City today, the release states. Ark City became a city of the second class 420 years later. The year 2021 represents the 150th anniversary of that designation.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
Kansas high school students would face civics test, financial literacy course under bill headed toward floor votes
Kansas students would have to pass a civics test and a financial literacy course to graduate as soon as 2024 under a bill finalized Thursday by House and Senate legislators. House Bill 2039 would require students enrolled in an accredited state high school to pass a civics test composed of 60 total questions from the naturalization test administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The test must be administered in the upcoming school year but will not be a graduation requirement until the 2022-23 school year. An amendment added in by the Senate and then further amended during negotiations between the education committees from both chambers requires a financial literacy course be taught to grades 10 through 12.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Campus High School offers free prom tickets to vaccinated students
Campus High School (CHS) is offering free prom tickets to any student who shows proof of a coronavirus vaccination. The school said it’s part of an effort to make sure the “Secret Garden” event on May 8 is safe for all students who attend. Any student who brings their official coronavirus vaccination card with them when purchasing a ticket will not have to pay the $20 fee.
Source: KAKE – News
‘It’s like a race’ — buyers struggle to find homes in Sedgwick County
Home prices in Sedgwick County are on the rise. The high demand is making it difficult for some buyers to even look at a home before an offer is in. A couple from Omaha said it’s been nearly impossible to find where they are going to live in Wichita. The pair recently got jobs in the area and now finding a new place to call home is proving difficult. “Monday we came down to town, we had a list of 10-12 homes and nine of them were already contracted on by the time we got into town,” said Spencer Shearer, a potential home buyer from Omaha. It’s a constant search for Shearer who said with homes selling quickly he has to bid on homes he hasn’t even seen. “It’s who can get in first and make an offer,” said Shearer. Lisa Anderson is a realtor for Weigand realty she says she is trying to get her clients to homes before anyone else. “As soon as a house hits the market I want to get my buyers in there as soon as possible so have, you know the advantage of time and then just trying to submit strong offers,” said Anderson.
Source: KSN-TV
Where there’s smoke there’s BBQ at Osage City
Where there’s smoke there’s barbecue – that is how it’s been in April at Osage City for about 18 years, except for last year. Postponed until Halloween last year due to COVID-19 conditions, the Smoke in the Spring State BBQ Championship is back on track for springtime barbecue competition in 2021. The competition gets underway for the outdoor chefs Friday night as many start warming up their cookers, but the fun also fires up at the community barbecue party, Taste of Osage City, starting at 5 p.m.
Source: Osage County Online
USD 383 to contest $128K February utility bill
Officials with USD 383 say the district will contest its utility bill for February as it represents more than 90% of the entire district energy budget. During the board of education meeting Wednesday, Manhattan-Ogden superintendent Marvin Wade said he was expecting February’s utility rates to be higher, as record cold weather led to increased energy usage. However, he said seeing a final total bill of $128,363 was surprising.
Source: themercury.com
Availability of ‘right’ housing remains a challenge in Scott City
Community growth continues to hinge on two very familiar factors – jobs and housing. And while Scott City has made good progress on the latter over the past decade, it’s also acknowledged that much more needs to be done. According to Katie Eisenhour, director of the Scott County Development Committee, about 90 housing units have been built during the past 10 years. “When we did a housing study in about 2010, it was projected that we would add an average of six units annually,” notes Eisenhour. “So, we’re doing something right, but we also know that we have to do better,” she says. Quantity, however, is only one side of the housing situation. The problem that has been even more elusive is defining what is “affordable” housing.
Source: Scott County Record.
Municipal Bond Trends for April 7, 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.
Fed officials say easy policy will stay in place until economic ‘outcomes’ are achieved
Federal Reserve officials indicated at their last meeting that easy policy will stay in place until it produces stronger employment and inflation, and won’t be adjusted based merely on forecasts. The Federal Open Market Committee on Wednesday released minutes from the March 16-17 meeting as investors looked for indications about where policy may be heading in the future. … The minutes said members agreed that changes in policy “should be based primarily on observed outcomes rather than forecasts.” … At the meeting, the Fed’s policymaking arm voted to keep short-term borrowing rates anchored near zero and to continue buying at least $120 billion in bonds each month. The market will get plenty of notice before the committee makes any changes, the minutes said.
Source: CNBC
City approves vote tally for new Dodge City Flag
The votes are in and with 212 votes, the citizens of Dodge City voted on the new black-starred, gold backdrop with black and white stripe, to represent Dodge City as its new flag. According to city officials, there were five options to choose through for the new Dodge City Flag with the vote concluding on March 31. City officials said the flag will serve as a symbol for Dodge City and a source of civic pride.
Source: Dodge City Daily Globe
Community strength built by a corral of bulls on Main Street in Marquette
Hometown pride isn’t penned up in rural communities, but the bulls on main street sure are. Nearly 100 people packed into the Smoky Valley Distillery in Marquette on Tuesday night to participate in one of the most unusual bull sales many had seen in their lives. Ryan Barta, owner of Barta Farms LLC in Little River, asked the Marquette City Council in late March if he could hold his “Angus Comes to Town” sale downtown, to which they responded positively. “I think there’s been a lot of excitement,” Barta said. “This is something that’s not normally done; it’s normally in a building or on a farm site. Cattle on ‘Main Street’ is not a norm, especially in today’s world.” The bulls themselves waited in a portable corral in the middle of Washington Street — Marquette’s downtown center — while the community gathered for a dinner and socializing before the auction kicked off.
Source: Hutch News.
House and Senate negotiators begin wrangling over Kansas K-12 budget and policies
Kansas Republican legislators from the House and Senate remain largely divided on several proposed budget and policy elements of K-12 public education in the state. … The act would take the standard per-pupil aid normally given to public schools and place it into an education savings account for students designated as “at-risk” to use for private school tuition and other education-adjacent expenses. The bill would also fully fund public education as requested in the governor’s budget for 2021 and 2022. In 2023, the measure would remove a funding formula provision giving additional budget weighting to students in districts with a high number of at-risk students per square mile.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Johnson County loses ‘dark store theory’ appeal involving Bass Pro’s property tax bill
Johnson County has suffered one more loss in its battle with big box retailers over property valuations. The Kansas Court of Appeals has sided with the landlords of Bass Pro Shops in Olathe, who contended the county overestimated its property value by millions of dollars in 2016 and 2017, resulting in a sudden jump in property tax the company owed. In an opinion filed Friday, April 2, the court upheld a ruling by the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals that substantially reduced the property taxes the Bass Pro landlords owed for those two years. The panel said Johnson County failed to make a compelling case for its argument for a higher valuation on the property.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Pit bull bans in Leawood, Overland Park receive scrutiny as more cities drop similar laws
The kids were at home when animal control and police arrived at Kristi Bond’s Leawood residence. The order was direct and to the point. The family would have to remove Lucy, the Bonds’ dog especially beloved by their young daughter, from the city. Lucy’s crime: resembling a pit bull, a breed outlawed within Leawood city limits. Had Bond lived in just about any other city in the metro area, Lucy’s looks wouldn’t have been an issue. One by one, other municipalities have dropped laws that target pit bulls – a catch-all term for breeds that look a certain way – with restrictions or outright bans. Leawood and Overland Park are the last major cities holding on to such breed-specific ordinances.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Issuing $500 million in new bonds for KPERS: Savvy investment or kooky gamble?
The Kansas Senate waded into the world of high finance Tuesday with fiery debate primarily among Republicans on a bill issuing $500 million in bonds with proceeds invested under the premise earnings would help the bottom line of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. The state in 2004 and again in 2015 approved similar maneuvers that involved a total of $1.5 billion in bonds for KPERS. … Sen. Tom Hawk, D-Manhattan, said the bond option was a wise strategy that took advantage of KPERS’ impressive record of sustained positive return on investment. … From another vantage point, however, Hutchinson Sen. Mark Steffen, bonding represented nothing more than legal gambling at the possible expense of taxpayers. He said bond debt would be an albatross if KPERS’ investment portfolio were hammered in an economic crash during the next 30 years.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Gove County dramatically improves situation after being among hardest hit by COVID-19
In November, COVID-19 hit Gove County as hard as nearly any other county in the U.S. Because of its small population, a couple dozen deaths caused the western Kansas county’s death rate to skyrocket. Fast forward to today, Gove County is leading the state in vaccinations and is far ahead of the national average. A lot can change in four months. In December, national news outlets called Gove County one of the “deadliest” in America. A handful of deaths in a rural county has a big impact, both on its COVID-19 statistics and its citizens. But now Gove County is statistically one of the safest against COVID-19 in Kansas with 30.3 percent of its people vaccinated. It’s the state’s second highest vaccination rate, following its neighbor, Graham County.
Source: KWCH.
Newly considered rules could hinder Kansas wind farms
Wind now cranks up more kilowatts than any other power source in the state. Yet even as towering turbines and their slow-churning blades come to increasingly define the Kansas landscape, a counter movement seems to take hold. A bill pending in the Kansas Legislature would all but outlaw the erection of more of those giant turbines by saying that companies couldn’t place them within a mile and a half of an existing building. The legislation would also bar new wind farms within three miles from any airport and one mile from the property line of anybody not participating in the development.
Source: The Chanute Tribune
Municipal Bond Trends for April 6, 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.
Wichita applying for grant to purchase electric buses
The Wichita City Council has approved a grant application with the Federal Transit Administration to purchase 24 electric buses. Wichita Transit Director Mike Tann said the buses would replace 24 gasoline buses that are beyond their prescribed useful life of six years. He said the gasoline buses have operated over 700,000 miles a year, burning more than 92,000 gallons of gasoline and emitting over 1.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide into the air. Tann said the electric buses would have a low floor for easy access, they will reduce costs and energy consumption.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
City of Larned receives credit on electric bill
Unlike many municipalities across the state and nation, the City of Larned will receive a credit to its February energy bill. The welcomed news comes in the wake of the February polar vortex that locked itself over western Canada and the central, south central and western United States creating a record-setting energy crisis. Larned’s electric credit comes to the tune of $160,000 from Midwest Energy, the city’s electric provider. City manager Bradley Eilts said the city-owned power plant produced more electricity than the city consumed. “The net result is that instead of receiving a huge bill for energy costs during the cold snap, Larned customers are going to get a sizeable credit,” said Eilts.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Wichita renews water conservation rebate program
The Wichita City Council approved $100,000 to continue the Water Conservation Rebate Program. The program encourages residents to purchase water-saving household devices by offering rebates in the form of a credit to their water account. This is the ninth consecutive year of the program. Seven devices and appliances are eligible for rebates. General guidelines and eligible items are listed below. There is a limit of five rebated items per water account. Rebates will not exceed the purchase price.
Source: KAKE – News
Belle Plaine holding festival this weekend
Downtown Belle Plaine will be a busy place this weekend, as the city will be hosting its annual spring festival April 9, 10 and 11. In the interest of safety during the pandemic, all events have been moved outside this year to better allow for social distancing. Events going on over the weekend include a barbecue competition, car and bike show, parade, vendor fair, golf tournament, live concert (featuring the Farnum Family and Mountain Deer Revival) and much more. There will also be a food court and carnival operating throughout the entire weekend. Buttons for admittance to the weekend festival cost $3.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Kansas announces web-based written driver’s license exam
The Kansas Department of Revenue’s Division of Vehicles on Thursday, April 1, launched a web-based version of its driver’s testing exam. The KnowTo Drive Online, powered by Intellectual Technology, Inc. (ITI), gives Kansans the opportunity to take their written test from the comfort of their home. Kansas is the most recent state to offer testing through KnowTo Drive Online. ITI also has self-service kiosks in 13 states. The KnowTo Drive Online testing portal is available 24/7 on the Division of Vehicles’ website. It’s $10 for the first test and $8.50 for any re-test.
Source: KAKE – News
Johnson County Community College will pay employees $250 to get COVID-19 vaccine
Johnson County Community College is offering employees a one-time $250 payment to get the COVID-19 vaccine, as the college makes plans to open up campus more fully for in-person classes in the fall. The announcement comes as vaccines become increasingly available in Johnson County and local health officials project all Johnson County adults who want one should be able to get a vaccine within the next month.
Source: Prairie Village Post
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Lawrence City Commission to discuss funding agreement with county for fire and medical services
Lawrence city leaders will soon discuss an outside study of the city’s agreement with Douglas County to jointly fund and provide emergency medical services, the results of which call for the county to increase how much money it provides toward the service. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive a report regarding the EMS study, which was recently completed by The Public Policy and Management Center at Wichita State University. Currently, the city pays about three-quarters of the cost for the service and the county pays the remainder.
Source: LJWorld.com.
As camps in city parks and other locations increase, Lawrence leaders to discuss how to address homelessness
Some of the city’s unsheltered homeless people have set up their campsites along the Kansas River, where the budding trees will soon help obscure them from view. Others, though, seem to have decided the safest place to camp is out in the open. In Watson Park, a handful of tents are pitched among the park’s looping sidewalks. On Thursday afternoon, a jogger makes his rounds, people from the nearby neighborhood walk their dogs, and some of the tents’ occupants gather in the park’s gazebo. Among them is Roy Teal, neatly dressed and clean-shaven, who said he’s been homeless off and on for three years.
Source: LJWorld.com.
The Fed could come under fire for easy policy (low rates) while the economy soars and inflation rises
As the economy booms over the next couple of months, the Fed will have a more difficult time defending its super-easy policies. Economists expect the second quarter to grow by more than 9%, and the monthly jobs reports are likely to show very strong hiring, with job growth averaging more than1 million new payrolls in each of the next several months. … After the data was released Friday, the fed funds futures market began to immediately bring forward expectations for a Fed rate hike to December 2022, from the spring of 2023.
Source: CNBC
Municipal Bond Trends for April 5, 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.
28 Kansas airports receive FAA funding for upgrades, repairs and projects
The Federal Aviation Administration is sharing more than $17 million in funding with 28 Kansas airports such as McPherson, Abilene, and Hays for repairs, upgrades, and other projects. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) made the announcement last week. “Local airports help bring economic opportunities and critical resources to communities across Kansas,” said Moran. “It is vital for Kansans to have efficient ways to reach and connect with the rest of the world, and these grants are an investment into the future of our rural airports.”
Source: Atchison Globe Now
City, county sweeten the deal
The Great Bend City Council Monday night approved providing a portion of the local matching funds not to exceed $220,000 for a joint Kansas Department of Transportation cost-share project with Barton County. This covers the portion of SW 40 Avenue known as Airport Road. The grant application calls for a 50-50% match with the state for the $800,000 project to mill and overlay the 2.5 mile stretch. The city and the county would split that total, with the city paying more since 60% of the road falls in the city limits. Two previous 75-25 match (with KDOT covering 75%) applications for the work have failed to gain state approval, City Administrator Kendal Francis said. Officials hope by increasing the local match the application will be more attractive.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Can Kansas schools require masks? JoCo districts already face challenges under new law
Kansas school districts are bracing for challenges to their requirements that students wear masks, as a new state law empowers parents to quickly sue to overturn local board decisions. In Johnson County alone, Olathe, Blue Valley and De Soto schools have already received complaints as teachers and students navigate the final weeks of the academic year. Educational leaders expect more to arrive under a process they fear could lead districts to abandon such COVID-19 precautions in the face of potentially costly court battles. The pandemic forced district leaders to make agonizing decisions about everything from remote learning and sports participation to quarantine protocols and even whether to hold prom. The new state law means school boards may now have to defend their decisions to judges, not just parents and voters.
Source: KC Star Local News
Daily Amtrak service will return to Kansas in May
Amtrak plans to resume daily service across Kansas beginning May 31, thanks to renewed federal funding. The Southwest Chief route from Los Angeles to Chicago was reduced to three days a week in October in response to falling use during the coronavirus pandemic. But the company said new federal COVID-19 relief funding will allow it to restore daily service on the Southwest Chief and 11 more long distance routes in coming months. The Southwest Chief makes several stops in Kansas, including Kansas City, Topeka, Garden City and Dodge City. Amtrak also announced last week that it plans to eventually add a new route that would connect the Southwest Chief to Oklahoma and Texas through the station in Newton, Kansas, KCUR reported.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
Governor Kelly says there are no plans for “vaccine passports”
Governor Laura Kelly says she has no plans to have Kansas issue vaccine passports, which are designed to help inoculated residents travel, shop and dine out more freely. Vaccine passports, which verify people’s immunization status, have become a political flashpoint in the U.S. as they’ve come into use in Israel and under development in Europe. Some Republicans in the U.S. see them as heavy-handed government intrusion. Kelly said Monday that she’s concentrating on making sure people get tested for and vaccinated against COVID-19. The Democratic governor also signed into law a largely symbolic Republican bill requiring public schools to offer full-time, in-person classes to all students for the rest of the current semester.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Local leaders excited about possible Amtrak expansion into Wichita
Back in 2017, Amtrak ran a test train through the air capital. The goal was to gauge interest in restarting passenger service to Wichita after it had been taken off the map in the 1970’s. Ever since then local political leaders have kept in contact with Amtrak. “We’ve been working on this for quite a while. And it seems to be something that the folks in Wichita really want,” Marc Magliari, an Amtrak spokesperson, told KAKE News. Fast forward to 2021 and that service could be coming back. Part of President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan would feature a major expansion of Amtrak, including connecting its station in Newton to Oklahoma City and Dallas via Wichita. The federal funding would help overcome “a big obstacle” according Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner. He says the cost of getting it started was one of the biggest factors holding it back. While the bill has not been introduced to the House or Senate, the potential addition of this Amtrak line is something city and county leaders believe could bring a lot of new business.
Source: KAKE – News