Author: Bob Weeks
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Kansas PEAK program: corporate welfare wrapped in obfuscation
Many economic development programs, such as the Kansas Promoting Employment Across Kansas (PEAK) program, are surrounded by confusion that hides the economic reality of the transactions.
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Kansas and Wichita quick takes: Monday November 28, 2011
Today: FHA risk; Boeing in Wichita; Wichita City Council; Harm of public-sector unions; Rep. Hedke, author of new book, to speak; Myth of spending cuts.
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Kansas and Wichita quick takes: Wednesday November 23, 2011
Today: Standing up for fundamental liberties; Private property saved the Pilgrims; Did Grover Norquist derail the Supercommittee; Drive-through petition signing; Job creation; Experts.
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Bombardier Learjet should pay just a little
In a presentation made to economic development officials, aviation manufacturer Bombardier LearJet speaks with pride of its investment in Kansas. But for the present project before the Sedgwick County Commission today, it appears that the company is planning to make no investment at all.
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Kansas and Wichita quick takes: Tuesday November 22, 2011
Today: Ghana junket; Kansas job recovery seen as slow; Village West defaults; Pachyderm speakers.
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TIF and other subsidies harm Wichita
Everyone who cares about Wichita — the entire city, not just special interests — ought to be opposed to the continued use of tax increment financing (TIF) districts and other forms of subsidy that direct benefits to a small group at the expense of everyone else.
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Wichita property taxes are high, leading to other problems
High business property taxes in Wichita cause officials to take an “active investor” role in economic development, despite evidence that this approach does not work.
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Supercommittee fails at tiny goal
The failure of the Congressional Supercommittee to meet such a small and modest goal is not good news, as the real problems are much larger.
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Kansas school spending facts ignored by many
A recent Lawrence Journal-World editorial that was repeated in the Wichita Eagle made several claims about Kansas schools that don’t hold up under scrutiny. Unfortunately, the editorial is an example of how difficult it is to have a reasoned discussion of Kansas school issues.
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Kansas and Wichita quick takes: Thursday November 10, 2011
Today: Occupy Wall Street; Johnson Controls; Save-A-Lot store opens; Teacher pay; Ranzau, Skelton to speak; Making economics come alive; Economics in two minutes.
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Focus on Kansas school funding formula is a distraction
As Kansas struggles with a formula for financing schools, we’re losing an opportunity to examine our schools and see if they’re performing as well as they should, both financially and academically