The ‘Dark Store’ Threat to Property Tax Revenues

25 Tuesday, April 25

The ‘Dark Store’ Threat to Property Tax Revenues

info2023-04-26T07:12:06-05:00April 25th, 2023|

Some big-name chain-store operators, including Walmart, Lowe's, Target and the Midwest’s Meijer, have been suing their local governments for lower property taxes on the premise of a controversial legal argument called the “dark store” theory. Localities are fighting back, but there's a need for stronger legislation to protect tax revenues. Here’s the background: It’s no secret that retail shopping centers and some superstores have been struggling for years as consumer tastes shifted and online sales cut retail traffic. Then the pandemic made matters worse. Source: Governing

25 Tuesday, April 25

New Federal Program to Help Cities Plan ‘Thriving Neighborhoods’

info2023-04-25T10:15:08-05:00April 25th, 2023|

In Brief: The Thriving Communities Program provides technical assistance to urban, rural and tribal communities for transportation and land-use planning. The Department of Transportation announced 64 communities will receive support in the first year. $21 million will be distributed to four teams of “capacity builder” organizations, including planning consultants, transportation experts and environmental nonprofits. Economic development authorities spend lots of time trying to get businesses to put down roots in their cities and to keep homegrown industries in place: assembling land, navigating tax incentives, and helping out with licensing and permitting and zoning regulations. Source: Governing: State and local government news [...]

25 Tuesday, April 25

Municipal Bond Trends for April 24, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-04-25T07:14:09-05:00April 25th, 2023|

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS "investment grade" yields. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.

24 Monday, April 24

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $10 Million to Expand Housing for Elderly and Disabled Kansans

info2023-04-24T10:39:31-05:00April 24th, 2023|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that nearly $10 million has been awarded to nine recipients for the construction or renovation of housing for persons with disabilities and the elderly. Funding was made available through the ARPA Building Opportunities for the Disabled and Elderly (ABODE) program launched by Commerce earlier this year. “Safe and accessible residential communities for elderly and disabled Kansans are necessary for living independently,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “These awards will increase housing options that meet the needs of these communities.” Source: Kansas Department of Commerce

24 Monday, April 24

Small Towns Chase America’s $3 Trillion Climate Gold Rush

info2023-04-24T14:10:03-05:00April 24th, 2023|

Colleton County in South Carolina is a quiet rural district best known for its hunting, fishing and, recently, a sensational murder trial. Now it is also a player in America’s new gold rush: a scramble for $1 trillion in federal tax incentives and loans for green energy that is fueling a flood of corporate investments and reshaping local economies. The spending is one of the biggest outlays of taxpayer-financed industrial stimulus since Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. If successful, it could transform the nation’s economy by creating millions of jobs and driving up to $3 trillion in total clean-energy investments during the next decade. The [...]

24 Monday, April 24

Car Dealer Markups Helped Drive Inflation, Study Finds

info2023-04-24T10:32:53-05:00April 24th, 2023|

Markups on new cars were a key force behind the current bout of inflation, according to new research published this month. Those extra dealer profits contributed between 0.3 and 0.7 percentage point of the nearly 16% rise in the consumer-price index between the end of 2019 and the end of 2022, a study published in a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics journal found. Source: WSJ.com: US Business

24 Monday, April 24

Americans Escaping Pricey Cities Bring Higher Housing Costs, Inflation With Them

info2023-04-24T10:31:12-05:00April 24th, 2023|

Tampa, Fla., residents face some of the hottest inflation in the country, but when excluding sizzling housing costs, price increases are nearly as cool as in Minneapolis. The disparity shows regional inflation is heavily influenced by home prices and rent costs. The Tampa area has one of the highest inflation rates in the nation, 7.7% in March, according to the Labor Department. But when shelter costs are removed from the index, the Florida metro’s rate was 3.8%—putting it in line with the Minneapolis area, where inflation excluding housing was 3.6%. Source: WSJ.com: US Business

24 Monday, April 24

Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill to Invest Record $35M To Protect Water Resources

info2023-04-24T10:28:09-05:00April 24th, 2023|

Governor Laura Kelly this week signed a bipartisan bill that increases funding for the State Water Plan, including two funds for grants for water-related infrastructure projects. Kelly fully funded the State Water Plan in 2022 for the first time since 2008. This bill increases funding for water, adding $18 million to the annual $8 million for the State Water Plan and $17 million for the two grant funds. In total, the bill designates an additional $35 million in funding to protect essential water resources. The bill includes that it is legislative intent to continue this funding through 2027. Source: 101.3 KFDI

24 Monday, April 24

Derby’s military-friendly schools receive Purple Star designation

info2023-04-24T10:23:47-05:00April 24th, 2023|

Derby Public Schools USD 260, with almost 13% military-connected student enrollment, was recently awarded the Kansas Purple Star designation for its commitment to students and families of active duty, National Guard and reserve military members. April is designated the Month of the Military Child, and the official recognition of the Purple Star District was made at the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) April 11 meeting in Topeka. The Kansas Purple Star School Recognition Program is a partnership between KSDE, which adopted the program this school year, and Kansas Military Children Education Council (KMCEC). Source: Derby Informer | News

24 Monday, April 24

Community rallies following Chase County tornadoes

info2023-04-24T10:22:28-05:00April 24th, 2023|

Cleanup is still in progress throughout Chase County following a series of tornadoes Wednesday evening, reaching up to EF-2 strength. The National Weather Service is continuing its survey of the damage, which spread from one mile east of Elmdale to three miles southwest of Strong City and 3.5 miles south of Dunlap. As of Friday morning, preliminary results classified the tornadoes as EF-2, with winds speeds of 111 to 135 miles per hour, while specifics, such as how many tornadoes touched down and how large they were, were still under investigation. Source: Emporia Gazette