Author: Bob Weeks
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WichitaLiberty.TV: Examining surveys about the future of Wichita
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: What do Wichitans want for their city’s future? Surveys from the City of Wichita and Kansas Policy Institute are examined.
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Contrary to officials, Wichita has many incentive programs
Wichita government leaders complain that Wichita can’t compete in economic development with other cities and states because the budget for incentives is too small. But when making this argument, these officials don’t include all incentives that are available.
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Wichitans willing to fund basics
Wichita voters are willing to pay a higher sales tax for fundamentals like infrastructure and water supply, and less willing for business incentives, downtown development, and convention centers.
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Wichita property tax rate, the history
The City of Wichita is fond of saying that it hasn’t raised its mill levy in many years. But the mill levy has increased in recent years, and the use of the tax revenue has shifted.
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Few Wichitans support taxation for economic development subsidies
In Wichita, about one-third of voters polled support local governments using taxpayer money to provide subsidies to certain businesses for economic development.
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Wichita’s benchmark not applicable to overlapping jurisdictions, it seems
The City of Wichita insists on a certain level of return on investment for its economic development incentives, but doesn’t apply that criteria to overlapping jurisdictions.
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In Wichita, opinion of city spending consistent across party and ideology
Wichitans across the board believe that Wichita city spending has not been efficient.
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In Wichita, the rooftops are well-lit
On a sunny Friday afternoon in May 2014, the City of Wichita spends to illuminate the rooftop of a parking garage it owns.
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Questions for the next Wichita city attorney: Number 1
Will Wichita’s next city attorney ignore the plain meaning of laws in order to provide legal cover for the council and staff? Or, will the attorney provide advice that respects citizens and the rule of law?
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ALEC should stand up to liberal pressure groups
Liberals can’t stand American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) because it is a strong and influential advocate for free market and limited government principals in state legislatures, and as a result are smearing it with unfounded charges of racism.
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WichitaLiberty.TV: Newspaper editorial writers on how democracy works, Kansas school test scores.
An editorial in a Kansas newspaper exposes a dangerously uninformed and simplistic view of politics and democracy. Then, will Kansas school leaders and newspapers tell us the hidden truths about Kansas school test scores?
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End the wind production tax credit
If wind power cannot compete on its own after 20 years without costly special privileges, it never will, writes Lamar Alexander And Mike Pompeo.