North Newton residents discuss benefits of solar energy

Rodger Nugent’s electrical bills were cut by more than 60% after he installed solar panels nearly two years ago. Nugent is one of about 10 residents in North Newton who have solar panels on their roofs. He said he was lucky in that he received the solar panels gratis from Howard Schrag. Otherwise, he said converting one’s residence to solar could be kind of expensive. He installed infrastructure underneath each panel himself, and his bills have gone from $120 per month to between $30 and $40. “When I started this process, Evergy made it pretty weird and hard,” he said. What changed in April 2020, however, was that the Kansas Supreme Court ruled against Evergy for charging customers who generate their own power extra fees.
Source: Harvey County Now

Ranson Financial2021-07-22T07:53:45-05:00July 21, 2021|News|

Wichita Public Schools workers vote overwhelmingly in favor of new union contracts

Employees at Wichita Public Schools voted overwhelmingly to approve new union contracts with the district after USD 259 added a bonus and other worker-friendly provisions, said Esau Freeman, the business representative for the union. SEIU Local 513 represents non-teacher employees at USD 259. It has one contract for security workers at the district and another for classified employees, which includes custodians, maintenance workers, secretaries and more. “I think they really felt heard and respected because of that money that was able to be shared with the employees,” Freeman said.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Ranson Financial2021-07-21T19:25:46-05:00July 21, 2021|News|

These Johnson County school districts will not mandate any masks for start of school

As COVID-19 cases spike throughout the Kansas City area, almost all of Johnson County’s school districts have decided not to mandate masks when classes begin next month. This week, the Blue Valley district decided masks will be optional for everyone, but strongly encouraged for students and staff who are not fully vaccinated. Officials in the Olathe, De Soto, Spring Hill and Gardner-Edgerton districts have previously said the same. The last major Johnson County district to decide, Shawnee Mission, is expected to announce its COVID-19 protocols at a school board meeting Monday, spokesman David Smith said.
Source: Kansas City Star

Ranson Financial2021-07-22T07:55:30-05:00July 21, 2021|News|

Kansas closes fiscal year with $758 million above estimated tax receipts

Kansas’ tax receipts at the end of the 2020-21 fiscal year exceeded anticipated revenue levels by $758 million. Gov. Laura Kelly attributed this growth to signs that efforts to strengthen the states’ economy are working. Others say it’s time to cut taxes. “It is time for the state of Kansas to look at lowering its tax rates – sales, personal income, and corporate income – all should be discussed. We encourage the Kansas Legislature and Governor Kelly to look at our Kansas Tax Modernization study conducted by the Tax Foundation,” a statement provided by Kansas Policy Institue said. “It proposes very specific recommendations for reforming the state’s tax code that will bring pro-growth structural transformations to the state.” Some of the recommendations from the Kansas Tax Modernization study include, for individual income tax, indexing tax provisions for inflation, enhancing the standard deduction, allowing an independent choice of itemization, rolling back excessive credits, and eliminating the Social Security tax cliff.
Source: Atchison Globe Now

Ranson Financial2021-07-21T19:06:15-05:00July 21, 2021|News|

Lawrence approves close to $2M in pay increases for three unionized worker groups

Expressing appreciation for the results of a long negotiation process, city leaders have approved close to $2 million in pay increases for three unionized employee groups, including the newly unionized solid waste workers. At its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously as part of its consent agenda to approve agreements with the Teamsters Union Local No. 696, the Lawrence Police Officers’ Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1596. Collectively, the three contracts represent $1.94 million in additional pay for 2022.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2021-07-21T08:08:00-05:00July 21, 2021|News|

County health officers regained powers as delta variant cases spike in Kansas. Will they use it?

With a key set of reforms limiting how local and state officials can respond to COVID-19 struck down in court last week, county health officers in Kansas regained a set of tools at a critical juncture, as the delta variant has seen case counts jump in recent days. Whether any counties will use their ability to issue health orders, limiting gathering sizes and imposing other mitigation requirements remains to be seen, however, as the political realities of the virus remain unchanged. Johnson County District Court Judge David Hauber opened the door last week when he ruled Senate Bill 40, the sweeping set of changes to the state’s emergency management law approved earlier this year by legislators, to be unconstitutional.

Ranson Financial2021-07-21T08:03:46-05:00July 21, 2021|News|

Municipal Bond Trends for July 20, 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.

Ranson Financial2021-07-21T07:58:09-05:00July 21, 2021|News|

Bird scooters roll into Emporia

A flock of birds has nested in downtown Emporia. Bird Scooters, that is. The electric scooters are a new mode of transportation popping up in cities around Kansas. The goal, the company said, is to give the community access to another mode of transportation and bring a boost to the economy. “A growing list of cities, states, and countries are looking to micromobility alternatives, such as scooters and bikes, not only as a means of minimizing congestion but also as a way to support local economic recovery,” a Bird spokesperson said. “We are excited to work with Emporia to offer residents safe and sustainable transportation during the pandemic and beyond.”
Source: Emporia Gazette

Ranson Financial2021-07-21T07:55:08-05:00July 21, 2021|News|

Schools confront more polarization with mask rules for fall

Students in Wichita, Kansas, public schools can ditch the masks when classes begin. Detroit public schools will probably require them only for the unvaccinated. In Pittsburgh, masks will likely be required regardless of vaccination status. And in some states, schools cannot mandate face coverings under any circumstances. With COVID-19 cases soaring nationwide, school districts across the U.S. are yet again confronting the realities of a polarized country and the lingering pandemic as they navigate mask requirements, vaccine rules and social distancing requirements for the fast-approaching new school year.
Source: KAKE – News

Ranson Financial2021-07-21T07:54:44-05:00July 21, 2021|News|

KCK schools to require mask-wearing amid renewed COVID-19 concerns

Amid growing regional concerns about COVID-19 resurgence, the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Board of Education has adopted a back-to-school plan requiring all students to wear face masks except for those with health exemptions. School board members approved the fresh guidelines Tuesday night. The measure comes as area public health officials are concerned about the growing number of new cases resulting from the COVID-19 delta variant, which is spreading through parts of Missouri and beyond — especially in areas where vaccination rates are low. Other requirements for Kansas City, Kansas students returning to in-person learning include obtaining all required immunizations under Kansas law, wearing masks on school buses and staying home if symptoms of COVID-19 are present. The school district plans to have daily continuous cleaning operation of its facilities and to practice social distancing in the classrooms to the best extent possible, according to the guidance.
Source: Kansas City Star

Ranson Financial2021-07-21T07:53:24-05:00July 21, 2021|News|