Category: Wichita city government
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Wichita facade improvement program bad for Wichitans
As this city council decides whether to give a grant of $20,000 to a private business, we need to consider the effect of programs like this on all the people of Wichita. And people are telling me that they don’t like it. They wonder why, at a time when the city is struggling with its…
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Wichita facade improvement plan updated
Programs like this are government planning. It’s our city government saying that investment in certain areas of town are more desired than investment in other parts of town. Since people aren’t investing enough to fulfill the city’s plan, the city must correct this alleged market failure by giving gifts of taxpayer money.
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Wichita to consider grant to business
On Tuesday June 16, the Wichita City Council will consider whether to give a business $20,000. How is this possible? Is everyone eligible for grants like this?
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Downtown Wichita revitalization on Kansas Week
Bob Weeks discusses government-led revitalization of downtown Wichita on the KPTS public affairs television program Kansas Week on May 22, 2009.
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Wichita arts funding: not all are happy
Not everyone is happy with the way the City of Wichita funds the arts and culture. Mayor Carl Brewer is quoted as saying “Each year, somebody is not going to get some money, and then it is a personal issue.” I have to tell the mayor that when citizens pay taxes to support institutions that…
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At Wichita city council, citizens are frustrated
Yesterday’s meeting of the Wichita City Council provided a lesson in how frustrating it can be for citizens to interact with city government. You might even have to endure a slight insult from our mayor.
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Wichita facade improvement loan program: questions to answer
Schemes like this lead to the broader question: Will any project in downtown Wichita ever be accomplished without the taxpayer being involved? That’s what people — at least me — are criticizing. I’m not against downtown development, Mr. Mayor. I’m against the taxpayer being dragged into deals like this that may or may not work.…
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Wichita police chief addresses gangs, budget
Speaking to members of the Wichita Pachyderm Club on May 1, Wichita police chief Norman Williams spoke about the history and present of gangs in Wichita, the police department budget, and took questions from the audience.
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Wichita covered with tax-advantaged districts
Here’s a map of improvement and development districts in Wichita and Sedgwick County. Sometimes critics of tax increment financing districts (TIF districts) say things like “If TIF districts are good for development, why not make the entire city a TIF district?” Maybe we’re headed that way.