November 21, 2024

Keeping Media and Government Accountable.

Author: Ellen Hathaway

3-legged stool scheme sets up a $1 billion income tax hike

Governor Kelly and her tax council say a balanced 3-legged stool theory, with equal amounts of income, sales, and property tax…

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City Council considers sweetheart deals for Riverfront Partners

The Wichita City Council is considering a private development agreement with Riverfront Partners for mixed-use development north of the new…

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Wichita city council approves property tax increases in Delano TIF

The Wichita city council unanimously approved an emergency measure today to expand the Delano TIF district, so the city can…

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Tax Foundation recommends Kansas changes to spur economic growth

The Kansas Chamber partnered with the Tax Foundation to produce a Kansas tax reform guide to spur economic growth in…

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Blue Valley schools a nightmare for students with dyslexia

A mother still in scrubs after her shift stood before the Blue Valley Board of Education in a faltering voice,…

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Audit: No accountability of at-risk spending by districts

A Legislative Post Audit of the at-risk spending by school districts in the state of Kansas found that most at-risk…

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McKinsey invitation-only workshops focus on growing government

McKinsey & Company recently completed a series of workshops across the state as part of the firm’s $800,000 contract to…

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Wichita proposes a convention center despite ‘overbuilt buyers market’

Downtown boosters want a new and much larger convention center as the centerpiece of the Wichita Riverfront Legacy Masterplan, but…

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City officials not ruling out a tax increase for Wichita riverfront plan

City officials acknowledge that upwards of $1 billion in public money will be needed for the Wichita riverfront development plan,…

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City of Wichita prompts closing of Sedgwick County Soccer Association

The Sedgwick County Soccer Association has closed after decades of league play in Wichita, according to a message sent to…

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Disinformation targets Julia Lynn, other female GOP senators

Parts 1 and 2 of this investigative series disputed the Topeka Capital-Journal’s misleading conflict of interest allegations against Senator Julia…

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Media carries water for faux conflict of interest claims against Republican Senator

So far, not one newspaper or television station in Kansas fact-checked the Topeka Capital-Journal’s conflict of interest allegations against Republican…

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Audio disputes Cap-Journal claims about Senator Lynn

The Topeka Capital-Journal recently made conflict-of-interest allegations against Kansas Senator Julia Lynn (R-Olathe) centered largely on Lynn’s vote against a proposed…

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Derby dinosaur park attendance much lower than STAR bond target

After two full summers of being in business, the Derby dinosaur park is attracting roughly 45,000 visitors annually according to…

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Wichita riverfront plan pushes city-owned apartments, office space

The architectural firm designing the Wichita Riverfront Legacy Master Plan seems to be proposing the City of Wichita as the…

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Commerce department excludes business owners from economic development committee

Despite saying business leaders would be included, every member of a Department of Commerce steering committee for Kansas Framework for…

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Emporia school bond levy increase is understated…again

USD 253 officials told the Emporia Gazette the incremental cost of the proposed Emporia school bond issue is now just…

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School districts suing Juul can’t document vaping incidents

More Kansas school districts are suing vaping manufacturers Juul, but some can’t document the number of vaping incidents that occurred…

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NCTQ: Kansas doesn’t evaluate teachers or principals on student performance

A new study from the National Council of Teacher Quality (NCTQ) says Kansas is one of several states that no…

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Kelly administration ignores questions about McKinsey consulting contract

Governor Laura Kelly decried the use of no-bid contracts earlier this year, but now her administration won’t answer questions about…

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Kansas trails the nation in handling dyslexia in education

Kansas is one of seven states that has no legislation regarding dyslexia in Kansas schools. Legislation regarding dyslexia ranges from…

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Standards-referenced grading de-emphasizes effort, diminishes transparency

Wichita USD 259 is changing grading for K-5 students for the 2019-2020 school year to a system called Standards Reference…

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Kiplinger: Kansas is 10th least friendly state for taxes

While Governor Kelly’s tax council is exploring options to raise taxes to pay for explosive state spending, the Kiplinger financial report shows…

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Kansas #43 in 2Q personal income growth

Data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows Kansas ranked #43 among the states and the District of Columbia…

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