Voice For Liberty
Individual liberty, limited government, economic freedom, and free markets in Wichita and Kansas.

 

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Today, wanting someone else's money is called "need," wanting to keep your own money is called "greed," and "compassion" is when politicians arrange the transfer.
--Joseph Sobran 


I don't know anything about free silver. The people of Nebraska are for free silver and I am for free silver. I will look up the arguments later.
-- William Jennings Bryan

The reason welfare is bad is not because it costs too much, nor because it "undermines the work ethic," but because it is intrinsically at odds with the way human beings come to live satisfying lives.
-- Charles Murray

Prior to capitalism, the way people amassed great wealth was by looting, plundering and enslaving their fellow man. Capitalism made it possible to become wealthy by serving your fellow man.
-- Walter E. WIlliams
Year in Review: 2017
Here are highlights from Voice for Liberty for 2017. Was it a good year for the principles of individual liberty, limited government, economic freedom, and free markets in Wichita and Kansas? 
 
Click here for the full story.
From Pachyderm: Local legislative priorities
From the Wichita Pachyderm Club: Local government officials present their legislative priorities. Appearing are James Clendenin for the City of Wichita, Dave Unruh for Sedgwick County, and Sheril Logan for the Wichita Public School District. Listen here. This was recorded December 22, 2017. 
WichitaLiberty.TV: Radio Host Andy Hooser
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Radio Host Andy Hooser of the Voice of Reason appears with Bob Weeks to discuss issues in state and national political affairs. View here. Episode 177, broadcast December 23, 2017. 

From Pachyderm: KPTS Chief Victor Hogstrom
From the Wichita Pachyderm Club: KPTS President and CEO Victor Hogstrom. Listen here. This was recorded December 15, 2017. 
Kansas personal income
The Bureau of Economic Analysis, an agency of the United States Department of Commerce, released personal income figures for the states for the third quarter of 2017.

For the country as a whole, personal income grew at the annual rate of 0.7 percent from the previous quarter. For Kansas, the rate was 0.3 percent. That was the forty-seventh best rate. This continues the trend of Kansas underperforming the nation in recent years.
 
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Naftzger Park project details
The city has finalized a proposal for a development near Naftzger Park. It includes a few new and creative provisions. 
 
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WichitaLiberty.TV: Judicial selection in Kansas
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Attorney Richard Peckham joins Karl Peterjohn and Bob Weeks to discuss judicial selection and other judicial issues in Kansas. View here. Episode 176, broadcast December 16, 2017. 
 
Panhandling in Wichita
The City of Wichita cracks down on panhandling. Is it too much? 
 
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School choice, good news in tax credit expansion
As things in life come to a close it is natural to take stock. The end of a year is no different and 2017 gave Kansans plenty of poor policy outcomes to review - not the least of which was a staggering retroactive tax hike. But, the expansion of a tax credit scholarship for low income children in Kansas is a piece of school choice good news that bears mentioning as 2017 wraps up. From Kansas Policy Institute. 
 
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WichitaLiberty.TV: Senator Jim DeMint and Convention of States
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Former United States Senator Jim DeMint joins Karl Peterjohn and Bob Weeks to talk about the Convention of States. David Schneider, regional director for Citizens for Self-Governance also appears. View here. Episode 175, broadcast December 9, 2017. 

Spirit expands in Wichita
It's good news that Spirit AeroSystems is expanding in Wichita. Let's look at the cost.

One thing that would also increase the credibility of economic development efforts is for Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell (and others) to stop making claims of "no more cash incentives." The city explicitly offers cash in this proposal. The city also offers to cancel a debt, which is just like cash. Forgiveness of future taxes is as good as cash, too. 
 
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Wichita school student/teacher ratios
During years of purported budget cuts, what has been the trend of student/teacher ratios in the Wichita public school district? 
 
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District staffing decisions reduce teacher pay by $13,700
School lobbyists routinely cite low teacher pay as rationale for more school funding but a new school staffing study shows how districts' staffing decisions have diverted money from teacher salaries.  According to The Sentinel, a nationwide study by Dr. Ben Scafidi and published by EdChoice.org shows the average Kansas teacher could be paid $13,708 more per year if non-teaching personnel had been added at the same pace as enrollment has grown since 1992. From Kansas Policy Institute.
 
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Spirit Aerosystems incentives reported
Opinions vary on economic development incentives, but we ought to expect to be told the truth of the details. 
 
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Delano catalyst site
A development near downtown Wichita may receive subsidy through four different avenues. 
 
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Wichita check register
Wichita spending data presented as a summary, and as a list. 
 
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Wichita school revenue
Revenue for the Wichita public school district continues its familiar trend. 
 
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Kansas tax receipts
News about Kansas tax receipts for November 2017, along with an interactive visualization. 
 
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Who oversaw Wichita schools when this happened?
Teachers 'fearful' about escalating violence at Southeast High( Wichita Eagle, December 1, 2017): Some employees at Southeast High School in Wichita say they have 'grave concerns' about escalating violence and unruly behavior at the school, and they're urging leaders to take 'decisive and strong actions' to combat it." This continues a theme from this summer, as further reported in  Behavior is getting worse in Wichita classrooms, data shows. ( Wichita Eagle, June 16, 2017): "Discipline problems have increased substantially in Wichita schools over the past four years, particularly among the district's youngest students, according to data obtained by The Eagle. The situation is frustrating teachers, prompting some of them to leave the profession, and has inspired a new program aimed at teaching elementary school students how to pay attention, follow directions and control their emotions."
I was surprised to learn of these problems that have been developing in the Wichita Public Schools. That's because  John Allison, the immediate past superintendent, was universally praised by the school board and district administration. Allison left at the end of June after serving eight years to become superintendent in Olathe. Hopefully that district will not experience the erosion in discipline that Allison presided over in Wichita.
NOTA a needed voting reform
"None of the Above" voting lets voters cast a meaningful vote that says "I do not consent to these choices," and that can start changing things. 
 
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WichitaLiberty.TV: Ron and Susan Estes
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: United States Representative Ron Estes joins Bob Weeks to talk about the tax bill, his op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, and Susan Estes tells us what Mrs. Smith does when Mr. Smith goes to Washington. View here. Episode 174, broadcast November 25, 2017. 
New from The Sentinel
 
Hutch District Sitting on Large Cash Reserve Balance. The Hutchinson School District, a plaintiff in the Gannon lawsuit, is maintaining cash reserves of almost half of the district operating budget

KU Now Accepting Applications for Social Justice Fellows. The University of Kansas is seeking Social Justice Fellows, the Office of Multicultural Affairs announced recently.

State Funds But School Boards Decide How Money Is Spent. Despite an influx of state aid to public schools, some districts will spend less on instruction as a percentage of their total budget than they did last year.

Media Serve Up Blame for Kansas Teacher Vacancies, Shy From Solutions. In their coverage of teacher vacancies in Kansas, public education in general for that matter, the media have a way of insinuating that some heartless, even racist, forces are oppressing the children of Kansas.
School cash reserves nearly triple state budget requirement
State legislators are legally required to keep cash reserves equal to 7.5 percent of General Fund spending but the average Kansas school district had nearly three times that level - 19.3 percent - in reserve at the beginning of the 2017 school year.   That disparity should prompt considerable discussion in the upcoming legislative session.  A state efficiency study recommended capping school cash reserves at 15 percent and doing so would produce one-time savings of about $255 million based on this new data, but legislators have been unwilling to seriously consider the matter in prior years. From Kansas Policy Institute. 
 
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PEAK benefits across Kansas
The use of PEAK, a Kansas economic development incentive program, varies widely among counties. 
 
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WichitaLiberty.TV: Kansas Representative John Whitmer
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Kansas Representative John Whitmer joins Karl Peterjohn and Bob Weeks to discuss current issues in state government, and why he supports Wink Hartman for governor. View here. Episode 173, broadcast November 18, 2017. 
 
PEAK, or Promoting Employment Across Kansas
PEAK, a Kansas economic development incentive program, redirects employee income taxes back to the employing company. 
 
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Wichita personal income up, a little
For 2016, personal income in Wichita rose, but is still below 2014 levels. 
 
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Wichita employment up
Employment in the Wichita metropolitan area is on an upward tick. But be careful when considering the unemployment rate, as it hides a larger story.
 
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From Pachyderm: Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle
Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle addressed members and guests of the Wichita Pachyderm Club on November 10, 2017. School finance and the Kansas Supreme Court was a prominent topic. 
 
Click here for the audio presentation.
WichitaLiberty.TV: Sedgwick County Commissioner Richard Ranzau
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Sedgwick County Commissioner Richard Ranzau joins Karl Peterjohn and Bob Weeks to discuss Sedgwick County government issues, including allegations of misconduct by a commission member and the possibility of a Tyson chicken plant. View here. Episode 172, broadcast November 11, 2017. 
 
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In Wichita, the surveillance state expands again - and again
In Wichita, we see another example of how once government starts a surveillance program, the urge to expand it is irresistible. 
 
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WichitaLiberty.TV: Matt Kibbe of Free the People
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Matt Kibbe of Free the People joins Karl Peterjohn and Bob Weeks to discuss FreeThePeople.org and our relationship with government. View here. Episode 171, broadcast November 4, 2017. 
 
Wichita to look outside for management of engagement
Wichita decides to have someone else conduct public engagement.
 
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Cost per visitor to Wichita cultural attractions
Wichitans might be surprised to learn the cost of cultural attractions. The price of adult admission to the Wichita Art Museum is $7.00, or free on Saturdays thanks to the generosity of Colby Sandlian, a Wichita businessman.

But the cost of admission is much higher. For 2016, Wichita city documents report a cost per visitor of $54.71
 
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Kansas school spending
New data for spending in Kansas schools is available. State and local total spending, per pupil, adjusted for inflation, has been remarkably level since 2013. At the same time, schools are telling us spending has been slashed. 
 
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WichitaLiberty.TV: Wichita school board member Joy Eakins
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Wichita school board member Joy Eakins joins Karl Peterjohn and Bob Weeks to discuss important issues facing the school district. View here. Episode 170, broadcast October 28, 2017. 
 
Living in downtown Wichita
Wichita economic development officials use a circuitous method of estimating the population of downtown Wichita, producing a number much higher than Census Bureau estimates. 
 
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Downtown Wichita report omits formerly prominent data
The new State of Downtown Wichita report for 2017 is missing something. What is it, and why is it missing? 
 
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Wichita public school district transparency
Transparency issues surrounding the Wichita public school district are in the news. There are steps that are easy to make, but the district resists. 
 
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A consultant to help Wichita's confidence factor
Wichita considers hiring a consultant to help find a baseball team. 
 
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Kansas school fund balances
Kansas school fund balances rose this year, in both absolute dollars and dollars per pupil. 
 
Click here for the full story and interactive visualization.

Wichita economy shrinks
The Wichita MSA economy produced fewer goods and services in 2016 than in 2015, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

In real (inflation-adjusted) dollars, the Wichita metropolitan area gross domestic product fell by 1.4 percent. For all metropolitan areas, GDP grew by 1.7 percent.

Since 2001, GDP for all metropolitan areas grew by 29.3 percent, while Wichita had 12.3 percent growth.

WichitaLiberty.TV: John Fund, National Review Columnist
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: National Review columnist John Fund joins Bob Weeks and Karl Peterjohn to discuss elections and their security. View here. Episode 168, broadcast October 8, 2017. 
 
Tax collections by the states
An interactive visualization of tax collections by state governments. 
 
Click here for the full story and interactive visualization.

WichitaLiberty:TV: Wichita economy, Kansas schools
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Karl Peterjohn and Bob Weeks discuss some statistics regarding downtown Wichita and then the Kansas school finance court decision. View here. Episode 169, broadcast October 14, 2017. 
College and career readiness remains persistently low
The 2017 state assessment results released this week by the Kansas Department of Education shows college and career readiness remains persistently low across Kansas. From Kansas Policy Institute. 
 
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Downtown Wichita jobs decline
By the measure of jobs used by the City of Wichita, downtown jobs declined in 2015.

There is, however a serious problem with this data series, as it includes workers whose "administrative home" is downtown, even though they work somewhere else.
 
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WichitaLiberty.TV: Wichita talk radio pioneer Joseph Ashby
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Wichita talk radio pioneer Joseph Ashby joins Karl Peterjohn and Bob Weeks to discuss state and national affairs. View here. Episode 167, broadcast October 1, 2017.
Wichita, youthful and growing from the core
A letter writer tells Wichitans that "We have an opportunity to show the country the future of Wichita is youthful and bright, and its growing from the core out."
 
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Kansas hotel tax collections
Kansas hotel guest tax collections presented in an interactive visualization.

Of note, while Wichita is the largest city in Kansas, Overland Park collects the most hotel guest tax. Of the largest markets in Kansas, Wichita has experienced the least growth in hotel tax collections since 2010. 
 
Click here for the full story and interactive visualization.
Kansas highway spending
A look at actual spending on Kansas highways, apart from transfers. Many criticize Kansas government for slashing highway spending, letting our roads crumble. While total spending on these four programs has been falling (after adjusting for inflation), the decline is minor compared to the hysterical claims of those with vested interests in more government, and especially highway, spending.
 
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Voting to raise taxes in Kansas
Here are printable tables of voting on legislation that raised taxes in Kansas.
 
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WichitaLiberty.TV: Century II, Its Future
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Community influencer John Todd joins Karl Peterjohn and Bob Weeks to discuss Century II, Wichita's convention and performing arts center. View here. Episode 165, broadcast September 17, 2017. 
 
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WichitaLiberty.TV: Century II, Again
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Karl Peterjohn and Bob Weeks continue discussing Century II, Wichita's convention and performing arts center. But first, some unfortunate economic news for Wichita. View here . Episode 166, broadcast September 24, 2017.
Sales tax incentives yes, but no relief on grocery sales tax
Is it equitable for business firms to pay no sales tax, while low-income families pay sales tax on groceries?
 
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Wichita job growth
Wichita economic development efforts viewed in context. 

The efforts of our economic development machinery are responsible for small proportions of the jobs we need to create. This assumes that the data regarding jobs and investment that Greater Wichita Partnership provides is correct.
 
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Century II: The consultant's disclaimer
The report produced for the City of Wichita on Century II has a disclaimer that absolves pretty much everyone from any accountability. 
 
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Kansas composite and college ready ACT scores drop in 2017
The ACT scores for the graduating class of 2017 have just been released and results for Kansas graduates is not encouraging. The overall composite of 21.7 is lower than the 21.9 achieved in 2016. A look inside the composite provides a portrait of consistently lower scores across all academic areas. From Kansas Policy Institute.
 
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WichitaLiberty.TV: Wichita and Kansas economies
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Bob Weeks and Karl Peterjohn discuss issues regarding the Wichita and Kansas economies. View here. Episode 163, broadcast September 3, 2017. 
WichitaLiberty.TV: Kansas Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives Ron Ryckman joins hosts Bob Weeks and Karl Peterjohn to discuss current governmental affairs in Kansas. View here. Episode 162, broadcast August 20, 2017. 
 
In Wichita, not your tax dollars
At a Wichita City Council meeting, citizens are told, "These tax dollars are not your tax dollars." 
 
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Wichita employment trends
While the unemployment rate in the Wichita metropolitan area has been declining, the numbers behind the decline are not encouraging. 
 
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Downtown Wichita gathering spaces that don't destroy a park
Wichita doesn't need to ruin a park for economic development, as there are other areas that would work and need development. 
 
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Naftzger Park contract: Who is in control?
The City of Wichita says it retains final approval on the redesign of Naftzger Park, but a contract says otherwise. 
 
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If you aren't getting email from Voice for Liberty
Troubleshoot why you aren't getting email from Voice for Liberty or other senders.
 
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Wichita WaterWalk contract not followed, again
Wichita city hall failed to uphold the terms of a development agreement from five years ago, not monitoring contracts that protect the public interest.

Beyond this, we now know that neither the city nor the WaterWalk developer followed the terms of the deal. The annual reports were not supplied by the company, and they were not requested by the city. As it turns out the annual reports purport to show that the city was owed no money under the profit sharing agreement.

But that's not the point. The issue is that the city did not enforce a simple aspect of the agreement, and the private-sector company felt it did not need to comply. Taxpayers were not protected, and we're left wondering whether these agreements were really meant to be followed.
 
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Naftzger Park concerts and parties?
In Wichita, a space for outdoor concerts may be created across the street from where amplified concerts are banned. 
 
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Metro area employment and unemployment
An interactive visualization of labor force, employment, and unemployment rate for all metropolitan areas in the United States. 
 
Click here for the full story and interactive visualization.

Naftzger Park tax increment financing (TIF)
Background on tax increment financing (TIF) as applied to Naftzger Park in downtown Wichita. 
 
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Wichita MSA employment series
Charts of employment in the Wichita metro area, along with Kansas and the United States.

Since 1990 the country has experienced three recessions. For the first two, Wichita was able to catch up with the employment growth experienced by the entire nation. For the most recent recession, however, this hasn't been the case. In fact, as time has progressed since 2010, the gap between Wichita and the nation has grown. Wichita is falling farther behind.
 
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Kansas Freedom Index for 2017
Kansas Policy Institute has released the completed Freedom Index for 2017. Did your legislators support or oppose economic freedom? 
 
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More Cargill incentives from Wichita detailed
More, but likely not all, of the Cargill incentives will be before the Wichita City Council this week.

In the past, economic development subsidies of this type were justified by local governments as necessary to recruit new companies to the area. These subsidies, however, are used simply to retain a company that is already located in downtown Wichita. 
 
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Intrust Bank Arena loss for 2016 is $4,293,901
As in years past, a truthful accounting of the finances of Intrust Bank Arena in downtown Wichita shows a large loss. 
 
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Decoding Duane Goossen
When reading the writings of former Kansas State Budget Director Duane Goossen, it's useful to have a guide grounded in reality.

For example, Goosen wrote: "We became famous, the poster state for bad tax policy."
No, Kansas became the poster state for bad spending policy. Our legislature and governor had several years to find ways to reform spending, but there was not the will to do so. One example: The budget for next year contains $47.2 million in spending because the legislature did not adopt a recommended plan to save money on purchasing health insurance for school employees. That number rises to $89.0 million the following year. 
 
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Downtown Wichita jobs, sort of
The claim of 26,000 workers in downtown Wichita is based on misuse of data so blatant it can be described only as malpractice. 
 
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Kansas employment by industry
An interactive visualization of Kansas employment by industry.  
 
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Airport traffic statistics, 2016
Airport traffic data presented in an interactive visualization, updated through 2016. A few observations regarding Wichita airport traffic as compared to the nation:
  • Since 2014, passenger traffic at the Wichita airport has been level, while increasing for the nation.
  • The number of departures has been declining in Wichita, while level and increasing for the nation.
  • The number of available seats on departing flights from Wichita has been mostly level while rising for the nation. 
Click here for the full story and interactive visualization.

Wichita post-recession job growth
Since 1990 the country has experienced three recessions. For the first two of these, Wichita was able to catch up with the employment growth experienced by the entire nation.

For the most recent recession, however, this hasn't been the case. In fact, as time progressed since 2010, the gap between Wichita and the nation has grown.
 
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Wichita, Kansas, and U.S. economic dashboards
Dashboards of economic indicators for Wichita and Kansas, compared to the United States. 
 
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Census data for downtown Wichita workers
Is the presentation of the number of workers in downtown Wichita an innocent mistake, mere incompetence, or a willful lie? 
 
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Rich States, Poor States, 2107 edition
In Rich States, Poor States, Kansas improves its middle-of-the-pack performance, but continues with a mediocre forward-looking forecast. 
 
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Medicaid expansion survey in Kansas
Should Kansans accept the results of a public opinion poll when little is known about it? 
 
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Downtown Wichita business trends
There has been much investment in Downtown Wichita, both public and private. What has been the trend in business activity during this time? 
 
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Fake government spawns fake news
Discussions of public policy need to start from a common base of facts and information. An episode shows that both our state government and news media are not helping. 
 
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Kansas revenue estimates
Kansas revenue estimates are frequently in the news and have become a political issue. Here's a look at them over the past decades. 
 
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Wichita property tax rate: Level
The City of Wichita says it hasn't raised its property tax mill levy in many years. For this year, the city is correct. 
 
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Downtown Wichita tax base is not growing
There's been much investment in downtown Wichita, we're told, but the assessed value of property isn't rising.
 
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Kansas state school assessments
An interactive presentation of Kansas state school assessment scores at the state, district, and building levels. 
 
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Accountability in Kansas public schools
Critics of school choice say there is no accountability outside the traditional public schools. Here are the standards Kansas used to hold its schools accountable.
 
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In Wichita, the phased approach to water supply can save a bundle
In 2014 the City of Wichita recommended voters spend $250 million on a new water supply. But since voters rejected the tax to support that spending, the cost of providing adequate water has dropped, and dropped a lot.
 
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