R9 Ranch water project delays costing Hays millions of dollars

Mayor Mason Ruder likes to point out he was four years old in 1995 when the city of Hays purchased the R9 Ranch in Edwards County as a long-term water supply. Now, 28 years later, the project is finally picking up speed, especially in the past year. “Every day is now an R9 Ranch Day,” Ruder declared with a smile during last week’s city commission meeting. City Manager Toby Dougherty updated commissioners on the R9 water transfer process. It started in February 2014 when the then-city commission voted to apply to the state to change the water use from agricultural irrigation to municipal, and begin the approval process.
Source: Hays Post

2023-01-20T10:03:47-06:00January 20, 2023|News|

How the Golden Gloves helps the Hutchinson economy

The Kansas State Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament Saturday and Sunday in Hutchinson could bring in some big business to the Salt City, said Richard Gadbury, who will run the tournament…. Gadbury, owner of the Reno County Boxing Academy, said the Golden Gloves state tournament will draw boxers and their families from all over Kansas. “We are hoping to see 300-500 friends, family and fans attend the event,” Gadbury said. “We went the extra mile this year as far as advertising, and we were also able to get some awesome sponsorship opportunities from local businesses. “In our area, the State Golden Gloves shows consistently brings in a crown of around 500 fans, and 15-20 tournament entries. However, by all metrics, those numbers are on the rise. In the next couple of years, KO Golden Gloves is hoping to double the amount of tournament entries out of Kansas. Local gyms such RCBA, Alley Boxing. KO Boxing, Villa Boxing and Hernandez Boxing each have a strong stable of competitors that will be turning 18, therefore opening the door for more participants.”
Source: Hutch News

2023-01-20T10:01:07-06:00January 20, 2023|News|

Topeka Fire Department has seen an upsurge in applicants. This change may be the reason.

The size of the applicant pool for Topeka firefighter’s jobs has dwindled in recent years, to the point where fire Chief Randy Phillips said only 20 to 25 people applied each time testing was offered. But a move made last week may have sparked a turnaround. Phillips announced Jan. 11 that the department, which has historically hired only certified emergency medical technicians, was doing away with that requirement. Applicants who lack EMT certification — and are subsequently hired — will instead receive that training once they start work, he said. “This is another way for us to attract the best and the brightest, and we see this change as a way to remove a potential barrier for those who have interest in joining our ranks,” Phillips said.
Source: CJonline

2023-01-20T09:59:15-06:00January 20, 2023|News|

Fed Governor Lael Brainard sees high rates ahead even with progress on inflation

Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard said Thursday that interest rates need to remain high, even though there are signs inflation is starting to ease. Echoing recent comments from her fellow policymakers, Brainard insisted that the Fed won’t waiver in its commitment to taming prices that have come down some in recent months but remain near four-decade highs. “Even with the recent moderation, inflation remains high, and policy will need to be sufficiently restrictive for some time to make sure inflation returns to 2% on a sustained basis,” she said in remarks prepared for a speech in Chicago.
Source: CNBC – Bonds

2023-01-20T07:39:14-06:00January 20, 2023|News|

Audit of Kansas economic development programs offers mixed assessment of incentives

Auditors working for the Kansas Legislature estimated five of the state’s major business development incentive programs would generate positive total returns for the private-sector economy but not produce enough growth in tax revenue to cover public investments. The evaluation was ordered in June by a joint committee of the House and Senate due to skepticism among some legislators with the state government’s use of tax credits or exemptions, or direct expenditure of state funds, to convince businesses to make capital investments or create jobs in Kansas. Gov. Laura Kelly, who won reelection in November, invited scrutiny by pointing to her first-term success in pursuing new jobs, including a $4 billion Panasonic battery plant for De Soto. Legislative auditor Josh Luthi said during a briefing with lawmakers all five programs were viewed as “generally successful” despite projections the programs wouldn’t deliver enough new state and local income, sales or property taxes to cover every dollar in direct costs or foregone revenue devoted to economic development.
Source: Kansas Reflector

2023-01-20T07:36:19-06:00January 20, 2023|News|

Kansas juvenile justice reform effort left major flaws in system, officials say

Stabbings, 16-year-olds with guns and violent attacks: Officials working with young offenders in Kansas say they need lawmakers to step up and fix flaws within the state’s juvenile justice system. The debate centered around Senate Bill 367, which was implemented in 2016. The bill was passed with the intention of reducing youth incarceration rates and reforming the juvenile justice system in the state. The legislation shifted practices away from holding youths in group homes or state custody, instead funneling money into community programs and treatment. The legislation included limits on probation and case lengths, making it less common for youths to be detained or sent to correctional facilities.
Source: The Lawrence Times

2023-01-20T00:05:12-06:00January 20, 2023|News|

Fed’s Brainard sees economy improving, flags concerns around housing

Federal Reserve Vice Chair Lael Brainard sees economic conditions moving in the right direction and sees room for a so-called ‘soft landing’ for the economy after a year of record-high inflation. Speaking at an event at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business on Thursday afternoon, Brainard, the second-ranking member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, said inflation has largely subsided in most spending categories aside from housing costs and non-housing services. She also noted that a cooling labor market has led to slower wage growth, but the overall employment picture remains strong.
Source: The Bond Buyer

2023-01-20T00:02:16-06:00January 20, 2023|News|

Governor Kelly’s tax cut plan introduced in the Kansas Legislature

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said Thursday that all three elements of her tax cut plan have been introduced in the state House and Senate. The first part of the “Axing Your Taxes” package calls for the complete elimination of the state sales tax on groceries, as well as the sales tax on other essentials like diapers and feminine hygiene products, which were not part of a bill approved last year. The second part of the plan calls for a four-day state sales tax holiday in August on the purchase of school supplies.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

2023-01-20T00:00:51-06:00January 20, 2023|News|
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