Kansas Municipal News
Kansas lawmakers moving to extend unemployment benefits
Kansas lawmakers are moving to give unemployed workers an extra 10 weeks of benefits and allow them to start collecting the relief a week earlier than normal.
The House commerce committee on Tuesday approved a bill that would allow people who’ve filed for unemployment benefits since Jan. 1 through April 1 to receive 26 weeks of benefits instead of the 16 weeks now allowed.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Prairie Village mayor declares local state of emergency, giving city authority to close businesses if necessary
Prairie Village Mayor Eric Mikkelson on Monday declared a local state of emergency for the city in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The declaration will prompt the closure of city hall and the public works administration building to the public starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Additionally, it gives the city the authority to order business establishments, including bars and restaurants, to close temporarily; and to enforce the governor’s recently announced statewide restriction on gatherings of 50 or more people.
The city council will convene at a special session Wednesday afternoon to discuss the length of the emergency declaration.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)
Millions across the US wake up to massive shutdowns to curb spread of coronavirus
Americans face increasing stringent guidelines about social distancing and group gatherings and some governments are now telling residents not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary.
Despite Fed cut, global markets roiled; short-end munis face pressure as investors seek cash
Even after the Fed cut rates to near zero, the stock market plunged Monday, setting off automatic circuit breakers that shut down trading. Short-end munis were being blown out with yields rising as much as 20 basis points on the short end as investors seek cash.
The globe is facing a pandemic that is testing what financial markets, governments, and individuals can reasonably handle.
The municipal finance industry is dealing with minute-by-minute news of state-wide school closures, shuttered restaurants, curfews and canceled events. New issues are increasingly being put on the day-to-day calendar.
Governments are trying to assess the financial impacts on their budgets and planning how they deal with the very real lost revenues from this virus. New York City noted that it will likely see a $3.2 billion decline in less revenue over the next six months.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)
Eleven coronavirus cases found so far in Kansas, 6 in Missouri. Experts expect more.
Since early March, cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 have been reported in Kansas and Missouri. Worldwide there have been more than 170,000 confirmed cases, with at least 3,700 reported in the United States.
As the number of confirmed cases in the Kansas City region continues to grow, state and local leaders have issued emergency declarations. In an effort to limit the spread of the virus, municipal, state and federal leaders have place restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather in a location.
On Monday, Johnson County health officials announced they had eight confirmed cases. Missouri has reported seven cases.
(Read more: Kansas City Breaking News, Crime & Sports |)
Topeka’s ‘tent city’ moving indoors after securing $100,000
The City of Topeka has secured $100,000 that will allow homeless residents of a tent city to move to indoor housing if they want to.
The money came from Valeo Behavioral Health Care in Topeka, according to their CEO, Bill Persinger, Jr. He said that the organization gave the $100,000 to the city to finance housing vouchers for the homeless after receiving an extension on an existing grant. Valeo is among several city, state and private organizations that make up Topeka’s Homeless Task Force.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
US tells older people to stay home, all ages to avoid crowds
The White House on Monday urged all older Americans to stay home and everyone to avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants as part of sweeping guidelines meant to combat an expected surge of coronavirus cases.
President Donald Trump and the coronavirus task force released the guidelines as the U.S. government moved to try to blunt the impact of the virus, racing to bolster testing and aid even as financial markets fell and Americans scrambled to reorder their lives.
Among the new recommendations: Over the next 15 days, Americans should not gather in groups of more than 10 people, schooling should be at home and discretionary travel and social visits should be avoided. If anyone in a household tests positive for the virus, everyone who lives there should stay home.
(Read more: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Could Wichita-area schools last into June because of coronavirus?
Most Wichita-area school districts are on spring break this week, but parents already are asking what comes next if schools close because of concerns about coronavirus and COVID-19.
The Kansas Department of Education so far hasn’t issued any directive to close schools. But Sedgwick County on Monday declared a state of local disaster emergency and banned gatherings of 50 people or more.
Education Commissioner Randy Watson said widespread school closures could mean a longer school year for students and teachers, among other options.
(Read more: Local News |)
City of Wichita announces closures and schedule changes
The City of Wichita announced Monday that they will be closing a number of public facilities and cancelling some City events for the next two weeks. The City will also be taking additional preventative measures to protect City Hall visitors and City employees.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Sedgwick County declares state of emergency, limits gatherings to 50 people
In response to the growing public health concerns related to COVID-19, Sedgwick County officials Monday declared a local state of local disaster emergency and announced that public gatherings larger than 50 attendees are prohibited in the county until further notice.
The local disaster emergency was activated because of an imminent threat from contagious disease. The declaration gives the county government the flexibility to manage operations in a rapidly changing environment and will make federal and state assistance available. The county’s Local Emergency Operations Plan has also been activated, allowing for collaboration between public safety organizations, local health officials and other community stakeholders.
(Read more: KWCH News)
Sedgwick County postpones most traffic court cases until April 6
The Sedgwick County District Court is postponing traffic court to April 6. or until further notice.
There will be no morning or afternoon traffic walk-in dockets until April 6th, 2020 or until further order of the court, per Chief Judge Jeffrey Goering.
The traffic docket includes traffic court cases set for disposition or an appearance on a summons.
If you have a traffic case, you will have thirty (30) days from the date that traffic court resumes to appear on your case.
If the court extends this notice beyond April 6, 2020, additional notices will be posted by the court.
(Read more: KWCH News)
Johnson County Library closes branches to the public
Johnson County Librarian Sean Casserly announced Saturday that the system would be closing its branches to the public through Tuesday, March 31 in an effort to minimize the risk of transmitting COVID-19. “The Library serves and employs a number of at-risk populations, with an average of 38,000 patrons per week entering our facilities,” Casserly wrote. “Johnson County Library wants to do everything it can to help protect our community and curb this viral outbreak.” During the closures, overdue fines will not accrue. Current holds will be made available to patrons when the branches reopen.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)
CDC recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States
Guidance as of 3/15/2020
Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.
Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.
This recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus. This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials.
Read more: CDC.
Federal Reserve cuts rates to zero and launches massive $700 billion quantitative easing program
The Federal Reserve, saying “the coronavirus outbreak has harmed communities and disrupted economic activity in many countries, including the United States,” cut interest rates to essentially zero on Sunday and launched a massive $700 billion quantitative easing program to shelter the economy from the effects of the virus.
The new fed funds rate, used as a benchmark both for short-term lending for financial institutions and as a peg to many consumer rates, will now be targeted at 0% to 0.25% down from a previous target range of 1% to 1.25%.
Facing highly disrupted financial markets, the Fed also slashed the rate of emergency lending at the discount window for banks by 125 basis points to 0.25%, and lengthened the term of loans to 90 days.
Read more: CNBC.
Municipal bonds calmer on Friday as national emergency declared
After a week in which all markets faced a historical whirlwind from the COVID-19 spread, Friday marked a somewhat calm tenor for the municipal market.
Uncertainty still abounds for the public finance space, as just before the market close, President Trump declared a national emergency. Meanwhile, states and cities across the country are closing schools, courts, national sporting events, and cutting back public transit. But Friday, at least, provided some reprieve from the five previous volatile days.
Triple-A benchmarks were steady, with some even seeing a few bumps, while participants await a new week in which issuers will see whether they can access the market.
Read more: Bond Buyer.
Municipal Bond Trends for March 13, 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 Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Kansas officials ask schools to close, tell travelers to quarantine at home
Gov. Laura Kelly on Sunday asked K-12 schools in Kansas to close for the coming week, allowing time for a task force of educators to develop a long-term plan for completing the school year under intensifying concerns with COVID-19.
The governor said she was “strongly recommending” but not mandating the shuttering of schools to allow each district to decide the best course of action. However, she said she expects all districts will comply.
Meanwhile, the state health department issued recommendations for travelers to quarantine at home if they visit certain areas of the country.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Nine people, including six in Johnson County, have preliminarly tested positive for COVID-19 in Kansas
A man in his 50s in Johnson County preliminarily tested positive for the new coronavirus, the sixth case confirmed in the Kansas county since the outbreak began, officials said Sunday.
The origin of the man’s infection remained unknown. He was doing well in isolation at home and his family was in quarantine, according to the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.
The department said it would get in touch with anyone who was in close contact with the man. The presumptive positive case was tested at a state laboratory; the results will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for verification.
(Read more: KC Star Local News)
In coronavirus fight, Kansas and Missouri hold ‘awesome’ powers to isolate you
Kansas and Missouri hold sweeping, authoritarian-like powers to separate from their friends, families and communities anyone who has coronavirus or has been exposed to it.
Health officials can order you to stay in your home or keep you in a secluded location. Neighborhoods and even entire cities can be locked down. You can be prosecuted for non-compliance.
Neither state has invoked these broad powers so far. But measures that just a few weeks ago seemed to be the stuff of dystopian novels and movies are becoming reality in the United States and around the world.
(Read more: KC Star Local News)
A self-quarantine seems brutal when you’re not sick with coronavirus – but it really is for the greater good
Why do experts think that quarantines and canceled events are a good idea for getting control of the spread of the coronavirus, especially when it involves people who are not sick?
It’s all in the numbers and how quickly they grow.
Health officials are trying to avoid a rapid spike of cases that could overwhelm the health care system by “flattening the curve,” or spreading out the number of coronavirus cases over a longer period.
In many respects, it’s not whether the situation is going to get worse, but how quickly.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)