The Fitch analyst behind the U.S. downgrade breaks down the decision—and how the country can regain the top rating

3 Thursday, August 3

The Fitch analyst behind the U.S. downgrade breaks down the decision—and how the country can regain the top rating

info2023-08-03T11:55:05-05:00August 3rd, 2023|

It's not a growing jobs market, strong U.S. dollar or a resilient economy that will help the U.S. regain the top rating from Fitch. According to the firm, it's going to take a major step up in governance. Fitch Ratings cut the United States' long-term foreign currency issuer default rating to AA+ from AAA on Tuesday, sending global stock markets down on Wednesday. The agency had placed the country's rating on negative watch in May, citing the debt ceiling issue. "This is a steady deterioration we've seen in the key metrics for the United States for a number of years. In [...]

3 Thursday, August 3

Governor Kelly Invites Public Input on Broadband Infrastructure Plan

info2023-08-03T09:46:19-05:00August 3rd, 2023|

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initial Proposal Volume 1 is available for public viewing and comment. The BEAD 5-Year Action Plan, along with Volume 1 and Volume 2, will identify served, unserved, and underserved locations across the state and map out a plan to expand access to high-speed internet. The BEAD program, established by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, has allocated more than $451 million to Kansas for the development of broadband networks. “Universal internet access is essential, and BEAD is a catalyst to a more connected and prosperous [...]

3 Thursday, August 3

SpaceX shipment passes through Pratt

info2023-08-03T09:44:21-05:00August 3rd, 2023|

Most area residents are used to the sights and sounds of big trucks and bumper-to-bumper traffic in Pratt as two major state highways cross right in the middle of town at First and Main Streets. Early Monday morning, however, a few more eyes than usual kept a close check on U.S. Highway 281, also known as Main Street, as a large SpaceX load was scheduled to travel through. “Everyone was all aflutter already on Sunday evening as there were reports of the SpaceX load coming through Great Bend and then St. John,” said Patrice Egging. “We heard it got stuck on the [...]

3 Thursday, August 3

Municipal Bond Trends for August 2, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-08-03T08:31:29-05:00August 3rd, 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.

2 Wednesday, August 2

Municipal Bond Trends for August 1, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-08-02T09:01:59-05:00August 2nd, 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.

2 Wednesday, August 2

Pottawatomie County Commission hears update on changes to unified development regulations

info2023-08-02T00:00:24-05:00August 2nd, 2023|

Pottawatomie County Commissioners discussed changes to the county’s unified development regulations during their Monday meeting. County Planner Stephan Metzger tells commissioners they are proposing small changes that serve primarily as clarifications for existing regulations. One of those changes intends to prevent a loophole in their paved road requirements for lot splitting. Another clarification includes a process to determine if land use is agricultural in nature or not. Metzger says this is another attempt to prevent a loophole where a house could be constructed and simply stated to be part of a larger agriculture operation. Source: 1350 KMAN

1 Tuesday, August 1

Kansas community votes not to disorganize their school district

info2023-08-01T23:57:38-05:00August 1st, 2023|

A rural Kansas community has voted not to disorganize their school district after a 7-12 grade school closed. Due to a lack of funding earlier this year, the Central Plains School District closed the school which caused some voters to think disorganizing the district would be the best option. Enough petition signatures were gathered to put the disorganization of USD 112 up for a vote during the August 1st primary election. If it had passed the Board of Education may have divided the land among surrounding districts. "We have about 10 school districts that border us," Superintendent Bill Lowry said. "So, [...]

1 Tuesday, August 1

Wichita approves location for shared WSU-KU biomedical campus

info2023-08-03T11:56:19-05:00August 1st, 2023|

The joint campus will include shared spaces for advanced laboratories, clinical research and technology for students in medical and other health programs from Wichita State, Wichita Tech and the University of Kansas. Wichita State University said in a release Tuesday that "about 3,000 students and 200 faculty and staff will be housed at the center, with opportunities for growth in existing and new programs." Source: KAKE - News

1 Tuesday, August 1

KDOT secretary looking for path out of Kansas’ transportation industry labor shortage

info2023-08-01T23:54:03-05:00August 1st, 2023|

Kansas Department of Transportation secretary Calvin Reed pointed to workforce shortages as a significant challenge to the state’s multibillion-dollar, 10-year Eisenhower transportation program. Reed, nominated by Gov. Laura Kelly and endorsed by the Republican-led Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee, said an aging workforce in core areas of the industry were fundamental problems that government and private-sector employers had to address. Reed highlighted one of those worrisome gaps, especially prominent in western Kansas, between demand and supply of professional land surveyors. Among the state’s nearly 3 million residents, only 258 are licensed land surveyors. The average age of this cadre of people responsible [...]

1 Tuesday, August 1

Municipal Bond Trends for July 31, 2023

Henry Schmidt2023-08-01T08:42:20-05:00August 1st, 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.