Debt ceiling deal spares state and local pandemic aid

30 Tuesday, May 30

Debt ceiling deal spares state and local pandemic aid

info2023-05-30T12:04:54-05:00May 30th, 2023|

The White House and Republicans reached a deal over the holiday weekend that will avoid the nation's first breach of its debt limit and leave untouched leftover pandemic aid allocated to cities and states. A House vote on the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 is set for Wednesday to move the bill ahead of a U.S. default as soon as June 5. The House Rules Committee is set to take up the legislation Tuesday afternoon. "The agreement prevents the worst possible crisis: a default for the first time in our nation's history," President Joe Biden said Sunday night at a White [...]

29 Monday, May 29

Municipal Bond Trends for May 26, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-05-29T19:59:05-05:00May 29th, 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, or Henry Schmidt.

26 Friday, May 26

Panasonic project brings focus to Johnson County’s rural roads

info2023-05-26T12:17:06-05:00May 26th, 2023|

The massive project to build a new Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant at the former Sunflower Army Ammunition plant in De Soto has re-ignited interest in the future of western Johnson County’s rural road system as officials consider a new set of planning guidelines for the area. The county planning commission unanimously recommended changes in its comprehensive rural plan Tuesday that remove land annexed by De Soto from its planning jurisdiction. Now that it is in De Soto, the city will set its own guidelines. The remaining unincorporated land will be in a “rural policy area,” meaning it will be planned [...]

26 Friday, May 26

Michelin announces $100 million investment in Junction City

info2023-05-26T12:13:28-05:00May 26th, 2023|

Tire manufacturer Michelin announced it will be investing over $100 million into Junction City to increase production of tracks for agricultural equipment. Over the next five years, around 200 new jobs will be added to increase the output of Camso agricultural rubber tracks, according to a press release from Michelin. Camso is a brand under the Michelin Group that specializes in off-road tires, tracks and systems.... In March, Michelin announced it would invest more than $20 million to expand its facilities in Emporia, Kansas as part of its investments in North American production, according to the press release. Michelin currently employs [...]

26 Friday, May 26

Hillsboro mourns the death of former mayor

info2023-05-26T12:12:59-05:00May 26th, 2023|

The Hillsboro community recently mourned the loss of former Mayor Delores Dalke and many showed up to pay their respects at the heavily attended funeral at Ebenfeld Mennonite Church last week. Dalke died on May 12, at the age of 82, on what would have been her 61st Wedding Anniversary to her deceased husband John Foster Dalke. She served Hillsboro as the oldest and only female mayor for 27 years before leaving the position in January of 2018. Between her role as mayor and her service on many boards and commissions, Dalke contributed much to making Hillsboro what it is today. [...]

26 Friday, May 26

Effecting change at the neighborhood level in Pittsburg

info2023-05-26T12:12:31-05:00May 26th, 2023|

In my last article I talked about how the growth in Pittsburg will lead to significant changes and it is important to look for ways to participate in defining Pittsburg's future. There are many ways to engage through city advisory boards, committees, or initiatives, but one of the most direct ways to impact where you live is in your own neighborhood. I'm sure there are aspects of your block that you would like to see improved - maybe there is an empty house that is in disrepair, street signs that need replaced, or maybe you'd like to have a neighborhood cleanup [...]

26 Friday, May 26

Local Governments Escape Ruling that Could Have Upended Property Tax Laws

info2023-05-26T12:11:31-05:00May 26th, 2023|

A Minnesota county violated the Fifth Amendment when it sold and kept the excess proceeds from an elderly woman’s home, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a unanimous decision. “A taxpayer who loses her $40,000 house to the state to fulfill a $15,000 tax debt has made a far greater contribution to the public fisc than she owed,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion. “The taxpayer must render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, but no more.” The case, Tyler v. Hennepin County, centered on how much autonomy state governments have regarding property that is seized lawfully from owners who [...]

26 Friday, May 26

‘Somebody Somewhere’ finds big heart in the ‘Little Apple’ of Kansas

info2023-05-26T12:10:57-05:00May 26th, 2023|

"Somebody Somewhere" is an emotional comedy on HBO and streaming on MAX that takes place in Manhattan, Kansas. It follows Sam, played by Kansas native Bridget Everett, as she returns home in search of herself. Along the way she meets chipper and compassionate Joel, played by Jeff Hiller. Hiller's acting career spans almost 20 years — many of his roles have been bit parts. He says his success on this show comes from years of playing "someone that we all know." "I love being able to play a character, honestly, that has a last name," Hiller said. Source: KCUR News

26 Friday, May 26

Spring Hill police ask for votes to help pay for K-9 Loki’s kidney surgery

info2023-05-26T12:10:25-05:00May 26th, 2023|

The Spring Hill Police Department is asking you to cast a vote to help to support its K-9 officer. K-9 Loki, a Belgian Malinois/Shepherd mix, joined the Spring Hill department in 2021 after being donated by the Olathe Police Department. Loki was initially purchased by Olathe police from a kennel in Pennsylvania, but a medical scan showed Loki had an underdeveloped kidney that would need to be removed. When Olathe police notified the kennel of Loki’s condition, they were told a replacement dog would be given to the department free of charge, but if Loki was returned, he would be euthanized. [...]

26 Friday, May 26

Municipal Bond Trends for May 25, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-05-26T09:31:06-05:00May 26th, 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, or Henry Schmidt.