Economic freedom

Economic freedom means property rights are protected under an impartial rule of law, people are free to trade with others, both within and outside the country, there is a sound national currency, so that peoples’ money keeps its value, and government stays small, relative to the size of the economy.

A look at a David Dennis campaign finance report
26
Jul
By Bob Weeks

A look at a David Dennis campaign finance report

It's interesting to look at campaign finance reports. Following, a few highlights on a report from the David Dennis campaign. He's a candidate for Sedgwick County Commission in the August Republican Party primary election. The report was filed July 25, 2016, covering the period from January 1, 2016 through July 21, 2016. These reports are available online at the Sedgwick County Election Office website. Keith Stevens, $200 A longtime Democrat community activist, always on the side of higher taxes and more government spending. Suzanne F. Ahlstrand, $250 Gary & Cathy Schmitt, $100 Jon E. Rosell, $100 Charlie Chandler, Maria Chandler,…
Read More
Kansas Center for Economic Growth
30
Apr
By Bob Weeks

Kansas Center for Economic Growth

Kansas Center for Economic Growth, often cited as an authority by Kansas news media and politicians, is not the independent and unbiased source it claims to be. When supporters of more government spending and taxation in Kansas want to bolster their case, they often turn to Kansas Center for Economic Growth (KCEG). Portraying itself as a "nonprofit, nonpartisan organization," KCEG says its mission is "to advance responsible policies by informing public discussion through credible, fact-based materials." It says it conducts research and analysis to "promote balanced state policies." [1. Kansas Center for Economic Growth. About Us. Available at realprosperityks.com/about-us/.] As…
Read More
Rich States, Poor States, 2106 edition
12
Apr
By Bob Weeks

Rich States, Poor States, 2106 edition

In Rich States, Poor States, Kansas continues with middle-of-the-pack performance, and fell sharply in the forward-looking forecast. In the 2016 edition of Rich States, Poor States, Utah continues its streak at the top of Economic Outlook Ranking, meaning that the state is poised for growth and prosperity. Kansas continues with middle-of-the-pack performance rankings, and fell sharply in the forward-looking forecast. Rich States, Poor States is produced by American Legislative Exchange Council. The authors are economist Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Stephen Moore, who is Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Project for Economic Growth at The Heritage Foundation, and Jonathan Williams, who is vice…
Read More
Wichita on verge of new regulatory regime
04
Apr
By Bob Weeks

Wichita on verge of new regulatory regime

The Wichita City Council is likely to create a new regulatory regime for massage businesses in response to a problem that is already addressed by strict laws. During a presentation to the Wichita City Council on February 23, 2016, police officials reported on a number of investigations and arrests. In 2015, there were 22 arrests for human trafficking and other violations. The presentation did not include what comprised "other violations," nor did it contain any information about the disposition of these cases. If the city is concerned about prostitution and child trafficking, the latter being a serious crime, we already…
Read More
Wichita to impose burdensome occupational requirements
29
Feb
By Bob Weeks

Wichita to impose burdensome occupational requirements

The proposed massage therapist regulations in Wichita are likely to be ineffective, but will limit economic opportunity and harm consumers. The Wichita City Council is concerned about human trafficking for the purposes of prostitution. That's good. But the response the council is considering -- which is licensing massage therapists -- is not needed. We have strict laws already on the books that make human trafficking a serious criminal offense, which it is. The proposed Wichita regulations will simply make it more difficult for honest people to become massage therapists. Criminals will operate illegally. They are criminals, after all. Or, they…
Read More
WichitaLiberty.TV: Heritage Foundation’s Bryan Riley on free trade
26
Feb
By Bob Weeks

WichitaLiberty.TV: Heritage Foundation’s Bryan Riley on free trade

In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Foreign trade is an important issue in this year’s presidential campaign. Heritage Foundation economist and Senior Policy Analyst Bryan Riley explains concepts that voters can use in making an informed decision. View below, or click here to view at YouTube. Episode 111, broadcast February 28, 2016. Shownotes Heritage Foundation website Heritage Foundation on Facebook Heritage Foundation on Twitter: @heritage Bryan Riley at Heritage Heritage Center for Trade and Economics (CTE) 2016 Index of Economic Freedom: Yet More Evidence of Free Trade’s Benefits Freedom to Trade: A Guide for Policymakers
Read More
Massage business regulations likely to be ineffective, but will be onerous
24
Feb
By Bob Weeks

Massage business regulations likely to be ineffective, but will be onerous

The Wichita City Council is likely to create a new regulatory regime for massage businesses in response to a problem that is already addressed by strict laws. During a presentation to the Wichita City Council on February 23, 2016, police officials reported on a number of investigations and arrests. In 2015, there were 22 arrests for human trafficking and other violations. The presentation did not include what comprised "other violations," nor did it contain any information about the disposition of these cases. If the city is concerned about prostitution and child trafficking, the latter being a serious crime, we already…
Read More
Wichita Chamber calls for more cronyism
25
Oct
By Bob Weeks

Wichita Chamber calls for more cronyism

By advocating for revival of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce continues its advocacy for more business welfare, more taxes, more wasteful government spending, and more cronyism. That may be surprising to read. Most people probably think that local chambers of commerce -- since their membership is mostly business firms -- support pro-growth policies that embrace limited government and free markets. But that’s usually not the case. It’s certainly is not the case in Wichita, where the Chamber supports higher taxes,[1. Weeks, B. (2015). Wichita Chamber speaks on county spending and taxes. Voice…
Read More
16
Oct
By Bob Weeks

Entrepreneurship in Wichita

As Wichita seeks to reboot its spirit of entrepreneurship, we should make sure we do things that have a chance of working. The Kauffman Foundation has conducted research. One paper is Guidelines for Local and State Governments to Promote Entrepreneurship. In its introduction, it holds this: In this paper, we begin with a critical overview of two of the most commonly used strategies to promote entrepreneurship: creating public venture funds and business incubators. We then explain that these strategies often neglect an essential principle: connectivity and learning by entrepreneurs. Next, we describe ways in which public venture funds and incubators…
Read More