How soon could Kansas’ food sales tax be eliminated? Timeline for plans vary.

Multiple plans to eliminate or reduce the state’s food sales tax are floating through the legislature. None have made it to the floor for debate, despite lawmakers touting efforts on both sides of the aisle to get a plan passed this year. Kansas governor Laura Kelly emphasized her “Axe the Food Tax” plan while touring Harvesters, a local food pantry in Topeka, on Thursday. The governor is hoping to completely eliminate the state’s 6.5% food sales tax by this summer and, once again, urged lawmakers to send her a “clean” bill.
Source: KSN-TV

Ranson Financial2022-03-04T08:35:40-06:00March 4, 2022|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for March 2, 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.

Ranson Financial2022-03-03T08:09:21-06:00March 3, 2022|News|

Fed Chair Powell notes ‘highly uncertain’ Ukraine impact, but says rate hikes are still coming

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell still sees interest rate hikes coming, but noted Wednesday that the Russia-Ukraine war has injected uncertainty into the outlook. In remarks prepared for dual appearances this week before House and Senate committees in Congress, the central bank chief acknowledged the “tremendous hardship” the Russian invasion of Ukraine is causing. “The implications for the U.S. economy are highly uncertain, and we will be monitoring the situation closely,” Powell said. … Powell and his fellow policymakers have been indicating for weeks that they plan to start raising benchmark interest rates to tackle inflation. He reiterated the stance Wednesday that the process will involve “interest rate increases,” along with indications that the Fed eventually will start reducing its bond holdings.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

Ranson Financial2022-03-03T08:08:26-06:00March 3, 2022|News|

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas Ranked First in Nation for Most Economic Development Investment Per Capita

Governor Laura Kelly today announced Kansas won Site Selection Magazine’s 2021 Governor’s Cup for the state with the most economic development investment per capita in the country. This is the first time in state history that Kansas has received this national economic development award. “The Governor’s Cup demonstrates the extraordinary economic strengths of Kansas and the confidence of the business community to make major investments in our state,” Governor Kelly said. “It’s also proof our efforts to secure a strong foundation for economic growth by staying focused on the issues that Kansans elected us to take care of – like fully funding our public schools, strengthening our roads, bridges, and high-speed internet – have paid off.” Site Selection magazine’s coveted Governor’s Cup award goes to the state with the most capital investment and the most economic development projects per capita. In 2019, Kansas was ranked 20th out of all the 50 states for capital investment per capita in, and in 2020 Kansas moved up to 10th.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

Ranson Financial2022-03-03T08:07:22-06:00March 3, 2022|News|

Maize draws from Mulvane to hire its new school superintendent

An assistant superintendent in the Mulvane school district will become the new superintendent in Maize. The Maize school board voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Raquel Greer to replace Chad Higgins, who is leaving at the end of the school year. Greer has a doctorate in educational leadership from Wichita State University. She has worked as a third-grade teacher, elementary counselor and principal, and has been assistant superintendent in Mulvane since 2018, according to a Maize news release.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2022-03-03T08:06:35-06:00March 3, 2022|News|

State, county mourn fallen Marion County sheriff

As it was when Rob Craft’s body was returned to Marion after his death, a large crowd of emergency responders lined streets Saturday and attended his Saturday funeral to bid him farewell. More than a dozen fire trucks from all Marion County lined E. Denver St. at the entrance to the cemetery. Trucks from Butler, Chase, and Morris County also parked along the street. A large flag dangled from a boom on a Hillsboro truck.
Source: Marion County RECORD

Ranson Financial2022-03-03T08:06:01-06:00March 3, 2022|News|

Riley County fire crews contain 700-plus acre wildfire

Fire crews on Monday finished a two-day battle to extinguish a 700-plus acre wildfire in north Riley County. Officials said no one reported injuries or structural damage from the fire. Riley County Fire District No. 1 responded to reports of a large outdoor fire at 10 a.m. Sunday near Carlson and Rosehill Road by Tuttle Creek Lake. Fire crews worked until 7 p.m. Monday to contain the fire.
Source: themercury.com

Ranson Financial2022-03-03T08:04:52-06:00March 3, 2022|News|

Manhattan gives initial OK to STAR expansion for Museum of Art and Light

The Museum of Art and Light is one step closer to reality. Manhattan city commissioners on Tuesday unanimously gave their initial approval for expanding the sales tax and revenue (STAR) bond district boundary for the proposed museum, which would be west of Manhattan Town Center on Third Street. Bob and Tracey DeBruyn, the museum developers, asked for the district expansion because they want to use sales tax revenue from the city’s STAR bond district to generate $23 million for the project. The DeBruyns have secured $21 million in private donations.
Source: themercury.com

Ranson Financial2022-03-03T08:04:19-06:00March 3, 2022|News|

Newton Fire/EMS sees triple the fires for 2022

Newton Fire/EMS has seen the number of fires it responded to triple in the first two months of 2022. Since Jan. 1, the department has responded to 35 calls involving fire compared to 12 from the same period last year.
“We’re seeing everything from car fires, building fires and grass fires,” Fire Marshall Andy Harder said. He added that the department didn’t know why there’s been an uptick. “I don’t want to say I’m superstitious. Nothing has stood out as this is what’s causing them.” Harder said he’d be interested to look at weather data to see if that could in part be driving more fires.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2022-03-03T08:01:24-06:00March 3, 2022|News|

Hiawatha Commission bids farewell to City Clerk

At Monday’s meeting of the Hiawatha City Commission, City Clerk Tish Sims, who has been with the city for nearly four years, made it official that she will be leaving the position, thanking the commission for her time in Hiawatha and saying that she has appreciated her time here. Mayor Bill Collins, City Administrator Mike Nichols and members of the Commission all praised the work Sims has done with the City of Hiawatha and wished her well in future endeavors.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com

Ranson Financial2022-03-03T07:48:44-06:00March 3, 2022|News|