Regulation

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…
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Governor Brownback, please veto this harmful bill
26
Mar
By Guest Author

Governor Brownback, please veto this harmful bill

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback should veto a bill that is harmful to property rights, writes John Todd. For more about this issue, see Power of Kansas cities to take property may be expanded. Senate Bill 338 has been passed by the Legislature and is now on its way for Governor Sam Brownback to consider. The Governor should veto this bill. This bill gives cities, in conjunction with their preferred nonprofit organizations, the ability to take possession of unoccupied residential houses that the property taxes are currently paid in full. This bill will clearly place vulnerable senior citizens and less affluent…
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In Wichita, the phased approach to water supply can save a bundle
22
Mar
By Bob Weeks

In Wichita, the phased approach to water supply can save a bundle

In 2014 the City of Wichita recommended voters spend $250 million on a new water supply. But since voters rejected the tax to support that spending, the cost of providing adequate water has dropped, and dropped a lot. The events surrounding the need for a new water supply is a troubling episode in the history of Wichita government. During the prelude to the November 2014 election, citizens were presented with a gloomy scenario that could be fixed only with a sales tax and the spending of $250 million. After voters said no to that, new plans emerged that are much…
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Power of Kansas cities to take property may be expanded
10
Mar
By Bob Weeks

Power of Kansas cities to take property may be expanded

A bill working its way through the Kansas Legislature will give cities additional means to seize property. The bill is SB 338, titled "Rehabilitation of abandoned property by cities." This bill has passed the Senate by a vote of 32 to eight. It has had a hearing in the House of Representatives. Wichitan John Todd is opposed to this bill and provided oral and written testimony this week to a House committee. In his testimony, Todd made these points, among others: Senate Bill 338 appears to provide local governmental units with additional tools that they don’t need to “take” properties…
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In Kansas, doctors may “learn” just by doing their jobs
10
Mar
By Bob Weeks

In Kansas, doctors may “learn” just by doing their jobs

A proposed bill in Kansas should make us question the rationale of continuing medical education requirements for physicians. The bill is HB 2615, titled "Charitable healthcare providers; continuing education credits for gratuitous care of eligible patients." The bill's supplemental note explains the bill "... would allow charitable healthcare providers and dentists to fulfill one hour of continuing education credit for performance of two hours of gratuitous service to medically indigent persons." In an op-ed published in the Wichita Eagle Representative Dan Hawkins explained "we believe that this system has the potential of generating more than $18 million in free care…
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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…
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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
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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…
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