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Wichita schools seek to rebrand
Read more: Wichita schools seek to rebrandWhile poormouthing and suing taxpayers for more money, the Wichita school district wants to spend on a rebranding and marketing campaign.
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In Kansas, PEAK has a leak
Read more: In Kansas, PEAK has a leakA Kansas economic development incentive program is pitched as being self-funded, but is probably a drain on the state treasure nonetheless.
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The Overcriminalization of America
Read more: The Overcriminalization of AmericaOvercriminalization has led to the mass incarceration of those ensnared by our criminal justice system, even though such imprisonment does not always enhance public safety, write Charles G. Koch and Mark V. Holden.
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Wichita city hall falls short in taxpayer protection
Read more: Wichita city hall falls short in taxpayer protectionAn incentives agreement the Wichita city council passed on first reading is missing several items that city policy requires. How the council and city staff handle the second reading of this ordinance will let us know for whose interests city hall works: citizens, or cronies.
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Kansas minimum wage hike would harm the most vulnerable workers
Read more: Kansas minimum wage hike would harm the most vulnerable workersA bill to raise the minimum wage in Kansas will harm the most vulnerable workers, and make it more difficult for low-skill workers to get started in the labor market.
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Hate crimes should not be enhanced in Kansas
Read more: Hate crimes should not be enhanced in KansasA bill in Kansas proposes to toughen penalties for hate crimes, thereby judging people on their thoughts and beliefs rather on their actions.
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Wichita drops taxpayer protection clause
Read more: Wichita drops taxpayer protection clauseTo protect itself against self-defeating appeals of property valuation in tax increment financing districts, the City of Wichita once included a protective clause in developer agreements. But this consideration is not present in two proposed agreements.
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WichitaLiberty.TV: Rodney Wren
Read more: WichitaLiberty.TV: Rodney WrenRodney Wren is a debate and forensics coach. I asked him what can we do to improve the political process, particularly regarding candidate debates and the two major political parties?
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Government intervention may produce unwanted incentives
Read more: Government intervention may produce unwanted incentivesA Kansas economic development incentive program has the potential to alter hiring practices for reasons not related to applicants’ job qualifications.
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Tax increment financing (TIF) resources
Read more: Tax increment financing (TIF) resourcesResources on tax increment financing (TIF) districts.
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Wichita TIF projects: some background
Read more: Wichita TIF projects: some backgroundTax increment financing disrupts the usual flow of tax dollars, routing funds away from cash-strapped cities, counties, and schools back to the TIF-financed development. TIF creates distortions in the way cities develop, and researchers find that the use of TIF means lower economic growth.
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Wichita loan agreement subject to interpretation
Read more: Wichita loan agreement subject to interpretationIn 2009 the City of Wichita entered into an ambiguous agreement to grant a forgivable loan, and then failed to follow its own agreement. Worse yet, there has been no improvement to similar contracts. Such agreements empower the city to grant favor at its discretion.