Voice For Liberty
Individual liberty, limited government, economic freedom, and free markets in Wichita and Kansas.
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Or follow Bob Weeks on Facebook at Bob Weeks. |
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The kind of rules we should have are the kind that we'd make if our worst enemy were in charge.
-- Walter E. Williams
So that the record of history is absolutely crystal clear. That there is no alternative way, so far discovered, of improving the lot of the ordinary people that can hold a candle to the productive activities that are unleashed by a free enterprise system.
-- Milton Friedman
By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity. Another man’s, I mean.
-- Mark Twain
Ignorant people think it is the noise which fighting cats make that is so aggravating, but it ain't so; it is the sickening grammar that they use.
-- Mark Twain
No matter how cynical you get, it is just impossible to keep up.
-- Lily Tomlin
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Wichita property tax rate: Up, just a little |
The City of Wichita property tax mill levy rose slightly for 2021.
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Business Formation in Kansas |
For both business applications and business formations, Kansas is growing slowly compared to other states.
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Kansas food sales tax cut proposed |
Who is harmed by the Kansas food sales tax?
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Wichita employment situation, September 2021 |
For the Wichita metropolitan area in September 2021, the number of unemployed persons is down, the unemployment rate is down, and the number of people working is up when compared to the same month one year ago. The recent trend exhibits only small changes.
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Kansas tax revenue, October 2021 |
For October 2021, Kansas tax revenue was 11.1 percent greater than October 2020, and 24.4 percent less than September.
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Wichita since the start of the pandemic |
How has Wichita fared since the start of the pandemic compared to other metropolitan areas?
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Support the Voice for Liberty |
You can support the Voice for Liberty in several ways.
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Claycomb connection to real estate developer criticized |
A Wichita developer makes generous campaign contributions to a city council candidate, raising questions about both parties. While this current issue is troubling enough, there’s something else that is more bothersome. David Burk, in the past, misrepresented himself as an agent of the city in order to reduce his taxes.
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Downtown Wichita Tax Base |
There's been much investment in downtown Wichita. But it isn't evident in the assessed value of property, although the recent trend is positive.
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Monthly state retail sales |
Monthly retail sales by state and major retail sector, in an interactive visualization.
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Kansas employment situation, September 2021 |
In Kansas for September 2021, the labor force fell slightly, the number of people working rose slightly, and the unemployment rate also rose, all compared to the previous month.
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A map showing median household income in Wichita and some surrounding areas.
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Population growth (or loss) is not distributed uniformly among the states.
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There are large differences in the trend of population among Kansas counties.
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Kansas since the start of the pandemic |
How has Kansas fared since the start of the pandemic compared to other states and the nation? Updated through August 2021.
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Inflation slows in August |
As measured by the Consumer Price Index, inflation remained high in August, although the trend is falling. I’ve included some charts from my interactive visualization of CPI data and news stories.
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There is more than one way to evaluate jobs and employment. Depending on the method, Kansas has either recovered from the pandemic or is still behind.
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The Wichita metro population grew from 2010 to 2020, but at a slow rate.
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Migration to and from Wichita |
The Wichita metropolitan area often suffers from negative domestic migration, but in 2020 domestic migration was positive.
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Downtown Wichita Business Activity |
Business activity in downtown Wichita continues to rise.
New data from United States Census Bureau shows business activity in downtown Wichita continuing an upward trend. The increase in the number of business firms is slight.
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Migration trends in Kansas |
New U.S. Census Bureau data shows that Kansas continues to have low rates of domestic migration, with more people moving from Kansas than moving to the state.
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State tax collections during the pandemic |
In Kansas, as in many states, tax revenues have not been a problem.
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Wichita City Council District 6 candidates |
The Save Century II committee presented a forum of candidates for Wichita City Council District 6. This was recorded on June 28, 2021.
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Kansas since the start of the pandemic |
How has Kansas fared since the start of the pandemic compared to other states and the nation? I have the data, charts, and interactive visualization. Updated through June 2021.
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Wichita city population rises in 2020 |
Wichita city population rose in 2020. It was the second year of increase after two years of decline.
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Since the start of the pandemic, has the employment situation in Wichita bounced back?
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Kansas GDP, first quarter of 2021 |
In the first quarter of 2021, the Kansas economy grew at the annual rate of 7.3 percent. Gross Domestic Product grew in all states, with Kansas performing better than most states.
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Income tax rates and taxes paid |
Is there a relationship between marginal tax rates and tax dollars collected? Not much.
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Prices generally rise, but not all |
While the price level as measured by the Consumer Price Index generally increases when considering all items, individual items may take different paths.
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Labor productivity in Kansas |
In labor productivity, Kansas is in the middle of the nation, but ranks better among neighboring states.
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Chart: Coffee and cell phone service |
While the price level as measured by the Consumer Price Index generally increases when considering all items, individual items may take different paths.
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Since the start of the pandemic, has the employment situation in Kansas bounced back?
There is more than one way to evaluate jobs and employment, and depending on the method, Kansas has either recovered from the pandemic or is still behind.
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Airport traffic statistics, 2020 |
Airport traffic data presented in an interactive visualization, updated through 2020.
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State government employees in Kansas |
Kansas has more state government employees per resident than most states, and the trend is rising.
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My struggle with Dupuytren’s Disease |
Dupuytren’s Contracture, or Dupuytren’s Disease, is “… a benign condition which causes a tightening of the flesh beneath the skin of the palm and can result in permanently bent fingers.” I am afflicted with this, in a fairly severe manner.
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National employment, April 2021 |
The national jobs report for April underperformed expectations and the unemployment rate rose slightly. The March jobs figure was revised downward significantly.
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Wichita ethics code to be considered |
The Wichita city council will consider an ethics code that overlooks a simple and effective solution to a problem.
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Quarterly tax collections |
Tax collections by state and local governments fell by about one percent during calendar year 2020 when compared to the year before.
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Kansas school district spending, updated through 2020 and adjusted for inflation.
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Updated: Presidential data explorer |
Explore the economic record of presidents through the lens of data, with new views and updates.
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National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for Kansas |
Looking at Kansas school test scores as compared to the nation.
For example, for grade 4 reading, we can see that when considering all students, the percent proficient or better is the same for Kansas and the nation. But for each of the subgroups Black, White, and Hispanic, Kansas ranks lower, and sometimes by significant margins. There is a similar pattern for grade 4 reading.
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School spending in the states |
School spending in the states, presented in an interactive visualization.
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Unemployment by president |
An interactive visualization of unemployment by presidential terms.
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Say no to special tax treatment, again |
In Kansas, a company seeks to avoid paying property taxes, again. It's still a bad idea.
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GDP by metropolitan area and component |
An interactive visualization of gross domestic product by metropolitan area and industry.
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Data regarding State of Kansas agency revenue presented in an interactive visualization, with data through fiscal year 2020.
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Visualization: Kansas 2020 presidential election |
An interactive visualization of the 2020 general election for president in Kansas, at the precinct level.
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Wichita economic dashboard |
Charts of economic indicators for Wichita, compared to Kansas and the United States.
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Kansas economic dashboard |
Charts of economic indicators for Kansas, compared to the nation and surrounding states.
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Trump-supporting QAnon seen as public security threat |
QAnon, a conspiracy theory group mentioned favorably by President Donald J. Trump and embraced by other Republican leaders, represents a public security threat, according to the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.
Originally published August 23, 2020. In light of recent events, it seems the authors were prescient.
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An interactive visualization of population by zip codes shows the parts of Wichita that are growing.
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Zip code business patterns |
Employment, establishment count, and annual payroll presented in an interactive visualization.
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Downtown Wichita jobs rise |
The reported number of jobs in Downtown Wichita rose in 2018, but there is an issue with the data.
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Updated: Kansas hotel guest tax collections |
Kansas hotel guest tax collections presented in an interactive visualization. Updated with data through November 2020.
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State population estimates for 2020 |
Compared to the nation and surrounding states, Kansas is growing slowly. This is an interactive visualization.
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Real personal income in Wichita and other metropolitan areas |
When adjusted for regional differences, per capita personal income in Wichita is relatively high. In recent years growth in per capita and total personal income has been slow, but better in 2019.
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Downtown Wichita population is up |
New Census Bureau data shows the population growing in downtown Wichita. But the Bureau says the population is far below that reported by the downtown Wichita development agency Downtown Wichita.
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Small area income and poverty estimates |
An interactive visualization of household income and poverty data for states and counties, now with data through 2019. The poverty rate for Sedgwick County and the nation trend closely, and both are higher than the statewide rate for Kansas.
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Real gross domestic product by county |
Real GDP values by county, presented in an interactive visualization.
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Pandemic’s influence on economy’s path |
No matter who is president, a large challenge lies ahead, says the Federal Reserve.
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Downtown Wichita attraction attendance |
Attendance at downtown Wichita attractions presented in an interactive visualization.
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Attendance at Sedgwick County attractions |
Trends in attendance at Intrust Bank Arena, the Sedgwick County Zoo, and Sedgwick County Park.
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Local government employment in Kansas |
Kansas has nearly the highest number of local government employees per resident, compared to other states.
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Intrust Bank Arena loss for 2019 nears $5 million |
A truthful accounting of the finances of Intrust Bank Arena in downtown Wichita shows a large loss.
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Fake news: How it happened |
When politicians condemn fake or phony news, it may be of their own making.
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In Kansas, explanations for tax collections may vary |
Kansas officials have explanations for low tax collections, but don't mention the same contributing factor when touting high collections.
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Explore and compare the approval ratings of presidents in this interactive visualization.
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Kansas school spending, through 2020 |
Charts of Kansas school spending presented in different forms.
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Have you suspected that the country has become more partisan? An index supports that.
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Could drug price regulation produce good and not harm? |
A sampling of criticism of drug price controls.
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Rethinking the city and the community for a post-pandemic world |
How has the pandemic affected cities in general and Wichita specifically, and what are implications for the future? This is a video lecture by sociologist Chase M. Billingham.
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Kansas general fund spending and receipts |
The Kansas budget is volatile, with rising spending and a large deficit.
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Wichita officials may have won a battle, but the Century II war isn’t over |
On Century II, Wichita City Hall won the first round, but the public issue remains, writes John Todd.
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Kansas governmental spending from several perspectives.
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Wichita economic development examined |
"What may look like economic growth on the surface ends up being, upon closer scrutiny, an expensive exercise in the rearrangement of existing business activity."
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Updated: Presidential data explorer |
Explore the economic record of presidents through the lens of data, with new updates for August.
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STAR Bonds redirect jobs, not create them |
As Kansas desperately searches for ways to pull itself out of the COVID-19 depression, policymakers will undoubtedly consider economic development tools as an answer. Kansas Sales Tax Anticipation Revenue Bonds, or STAR Bonds, are some of the most notable tools at the disposal of state and local governments. However, the latest research suggests that policymakers shouldn’t rely on STAR Bonds to grow jobs.
This story presents a report from Kansas Policy Institute.
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Border wall procedures criticized |
A government watchdog says the procedures for acquiring the southern border wall are inadequate, and the ability to maintain complete operational control is diminished.
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Updated: Century II resource center |
The Century II resource center has been updated with documents and news stories, including coverage of the recent court decision.
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Updated: Economic indicators in the states |
Economic indicators in the states, an interactive visualization. In the coincident index, the effects of the response to the pandemic are evident. Before the pandemic, the coincident index for Kansas was growing at about the same rate as the nation.
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Wichita property tax on commercial property: High |
An ongoing study reports that property taxes on commercial and industrial property in Wichita are high. In particular, taxes on commercial property in Wichita are among the highest in the nation.
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Updated: Measuring household experiences during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic |
An updated interactive visualization of household data on the effects of the pandemic.
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Presidential data explorer |
To examine the record of presidents regarding economics, I gathered data from several sources and present it in an interactive visualization. Data includes:
- Jobs
- Labor force
- Unemployment
- Dow Jones stock market index
- Gross Domestic Product
- Inflation
For each president, data is presented by month, with the first month of each president’s term having number one.
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Household income in the states |
A visualization of household income by state, adjusted for inflation.
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Wichita aerospace manufacturing concentration |
Wichita leaders want to diversify the area economy. Has there been progress?
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COVID Survey: Small businesses fighting for survival in Kansas |
A survey of Kansas businesses, conducted by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Kansas Policy Institute, and the Gwartney Institute of Ottawa University found several inconsistencies between what small business need and what state and local officials have done or will do.
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Federal revenue and outlays |
An interactive visualization of federal government revenue and spending from 1962 to the present.
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Stephen Ware: Debate on masks, freedom |
This op-ed by Kansas University Law Professor and noted libertarian Stephen Ware shows how libertarians can tolerate, if not embrace, a government mandate to wear masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
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Tariffs, after all, are paid by Americans |
Action taken in April by President Donald J. Trump confirms: The tariffs he imposed on China are paid by Americans.
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An interactive visualization of monthly employment in the states by major industry category.
One chart, titled “Single State Comparison,” lets you select one state. It then plots that state as one line, and all other states as another line. The nearby example shows this chart with Kansas as the selected state, with data starting in 2010 and ending this February, the last month before the response to the pandemic significantly affected jobs in the United States.
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Wichita city population rises in 2019 |
Wichita city population rose in 2019, but is still below its recent peak. Includes an interactive visualization.
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Wichita metro population for 2019 |
For 2019, the estimated population for the Wichita metropolitan area is up -- and also down.
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Real personal income in states and metros |
When adjusted for regional differences, personal income in Wichita and Kansas is higher than otherwise, but growth is slow.
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Wichita presents industrial revenue bonds |
A presentation by the City of Wichita regarding IRBs is good as far as it goes, which is not far enough.
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State government tax collections for 2019 |
Kansas state government tax collections rose to $3,443 per person in 2019, an increase of 5.0 percent from 2018.
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Wichita needs transparency from its agencies |
When the Wichita city council delegates spending to outside agencies such as Visit Wichita, it should insist on the same transparency requirements the city itself faces.
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Should Wichita have a deputy to the mayor? |
A proposal to hire a deputy or chief of staff to the Wichita mayor is a good idea which will increase transparency and accountability of elected officials.
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Wichita water plant financing on agenda |
The Wichita city council will consider borrowing $280 million from the federal government, and also consider issuing bonds of up to $331 million to repay the loan.
Of note, while the summary documents provided by the city cite a loan amount of $280,860,714, it is important to realize that this is “capitalized interest excluded.” In an ordinance the council will consider Tuesday, there is this language: “… the City proposes to issue and deliver to the WIFIA Credit Provider a revenue bond in the principal amount not to exceed $331,000,000 (the ‘WIFIA Bond’).” The difference between the two amounts, about $50 million, is capitalized interest.
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Small area income and poverty estimates |
An interactive visualization of household income and poverty data for states and counties.
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For 2019, the rate of personal income growth in Kansas was near the middle of the states.
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Intrust Bank Arena economic impact holds mistake |
A report on the economic impact of the first ten years of operation of the Intrust Bank Arena in downtown Wichita incorrectly reported tax revenue.
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If you want to keep up with news regarding Naftzger Park, join this Facebook group:
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Kansas school employment rose for the current school year. An interactive visualization.
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Performance levels in Wichita schools |
There is some good news in the performance level reports for Wichita public schools.
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This is an interactive visualization of Kansas school salaries for superintendents, principals, and teachers, for each school district.
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Missing from Wichita city documents: Sales tax |
It would be simple for the City of Wichita to include additional relevant information regarding economic development incentive decisions.
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News of a Sedgwick County Commissioner's trip to Africa has raised some controversy, and something like this has been tried before.
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Wichita should post fulfilled records requests |
When the City of Wichita fulfills records requests, it should make those records available to everyone.
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Naftzger Park event management agreement ambiguous |
The profit-sharing agreement for Naftzger Park event management contains ambiguity that could lead to disputes.
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Wichita public schools, by the charts |
Data from the annual report for the 2018-2019 school year for USD 259, the Wichita, Kansas public school district.
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Century II resource center |
Updated and refreshed: A resource of information about the Century II Performing arts and Convention Center in Wichita.
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Wichita legal notices an easy start on the path to transparency |
Kansas law requires publication of certain notices in newspapers, but cities like Wichita could also make them available in other ways that are easier to use.
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City code on ethical conduct in Wichita |
Wichita has a city code governing ethical conduct by council members, but it seems to have no teeth.
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Financial state of the cities |
Wichitans carry a "Taxpayer Burden" of $1,200 per taxpayer, which is not as bad as many cities.
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In the Electoral College, residents of different states have widely varying influence.
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Wichita to consider tax forgiveness outside policy parameters |
The Wichita city council will consider a tax giveaway for an economic development project that does not meet its stated policy.
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Can Wichita learn from a setback? |
What can Wichita learn from the news of layoffs at Spirit and Textron?
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Wichita consent agenda reform proposed |
The Wichita city council will consider reforms to the consent agenda. In the past, the city has placed major items on the consent agenda, such as authorizing a $2 million contract with the city’s convention and visitors’ bureau.
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Sedgwick County talent attraction |
In an index ranking counties in talent attraction, Sedgwick County has not performed well.
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Wichita has amenities that are promoted as creating an uncommonly superior quality of life here, but many are commonplace across the country.
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Kansas sees large drop in test scores |
Using demographically-adjusted scores, Kansas falls in state rankings of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Looking at change across all four tests, Kansas had the largest drop in state rankings except for New Hampshire.
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State and local government employees and payroll |
Looking at the number of government employees in proportion to population, Kansas has many compared to other states, and especially so in education.
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Wichita, not that different |
We have a lot of neat stuff in Wichita. Other cities do, too.
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In NAEP mapping study, Kansas shines |
In a new edition of a study that assesses the stringency of state school assessments, Kansas performs well. Click for more. |
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Wichita metro employment by industry |
An interactive visualization of Wichita-area employment by industry. Click for more. |
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Wichita transit center application |
Although plans have changed, an application by the City of Wichita holds interesting observations and claims. Click for more. |
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New metropolitan rankings regarding knowledge-based industries and entrepreneurship |
New research provides insight into the Wichita metropolitan area economy and dynamism.
There have been some rankings showing Wichita doing well in jobs at young firms. That’s good, as young firms — which are different from small business — are vitally important to economic growth.
This study, however, shows Wichita lagging in young firm employment ratio. In these rankings, Wichita came in at position 247 of 379 metro areas. That is better than the overall ranking for Wichita, which is at number 319. Click for more. |
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Populations of the states |
An interactive table and charts of populations in the states and regions, from 1929 through 2018. Click for more. |
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Wichita ballpark STAR bonds, 2018 issue |
A bond disclosure document anticipated a development agreement for land surrounding the new Wichita ballpark. Click for more. |
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Wichita and national jobs |
Overall, since 2011 — roughly the end of the Great Recession — Wichita has been gaining jobs, evidence being its trend line above zero in the nearby chart which shows the change in jobs over the same month one year ago. But the line has not always been above zero, indicating months where the Wichita metropolitan area had fewer jobs than the year before. Click for more. |
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In Wichita, respecting the people’s right to know |
The City of Wichita says it values open and transparent government. But the city’s record in providing information and records to citizens is poor, and there hasn’t been much improvement. Click for more. |
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Sedgwick County tax exemptions |
Unlike the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County has kept track of its tax exemptions. Click for more. |
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The use of sales tax proceeds in Wichita |
Must the City of Wichita spend its share of Sedgwick County sales tax proceeds in a specific way? Click for more. |
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Sedgwick County income and poverty |
Census data show Sedgwick County continuing to fall behind the nation in two key measures. Click for more. |
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Ranked-choice voting in Kansas |
A look at ranked-choice voting and how it might have worked in the Kansas Republican gubernatorial primary election in August 2018. Click for more. |
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Kansas highway pavement conditions |
Each year the Kansas Department of Transportation surveys the condition of highway pavement and issues a report called the Network Optimization System (NOS) Survey.
Of the condition of highways, the report notes: “Since the data was first collected in 1983, the percentage of pavement surface in good condition has appreciably increased while the percentage of poor pavement has significantly decreased.”. Click for more. |
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