State tax collections during the pandemic
In Kansas, as in many states, tax revenues have not been a problem. (more…)
07
Jul
03
Jul
Kansas tax revenue, June 2021
For June 2021, Kansas tax revenue was 14.8 percent greater than June 2020. Over the twelve months of the current fiscal year, revenue is 26.4 percent higher than at the same point of the previous year. There are important caveats to consider. (more…)
23
Jun
Kansas employment situation, May 2021
In Kansas for May 2021, the labor force rose, the number of people working fell, and the unemployment rate was unchanged, all compared to the previous month. (more…)
04
Jun
Kansas tax revenue, May 2021
For May 2021, Kansas tax revenue was 134.7 percent greater than May 2020. Over the eleven months of the current fiscal year, revenue is 27.7 percent higher than at the same point of the previous year. There are important caveats to consider. (more…)
22
May
Kansas employment situation, April 2021
In Kansas for April 2021, the labor force fell, the number of people working fell, and the unemployment rate fell, all compared to the previous month. (more…)
05
May
Kansas tax revenue, April 2021
For April 2021, Kansas tax revenue was 69.9 percent greater than April 2020. Over the ten months of the current fiscal year, revenue is 19.5 percent higher than at the same point of the previous year. There are caveats to consider. (more…)
17
Apr
Kansas jobs, March 2021
In Kansas for March 2021, the labor force grew, the number of people working rose, and the unemployment rate fell. Data released yesterday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the United States Department of Labor, shows an improving employment picture in Kansas for March 2021. (Click charts and tables for larger versions.) Using seasonally adjusted data, from February 2021 to March 2021, nonfarm employment in Kansas rose by 12,800 jobs (0.9 percent). Over the year, the number of Kansas nonfarm jobs for March 2021 was lower by 48,900 (3.4 percent) over the same month last year. This is…
01
Apr
Kansas tax revenue, March 2021
For March 2021, Kansas tax revenue was 12.7 percent greater than March 2020. Over the nine months of the current fiscal year, revenue is 14.0 percent higher than at the same point of the previous year. (more…)
01
Apr
Kansas school spending
Kansas school district spending, updated through 2020 and adjusted for inflation. What is the trend in Kansas school spending? This visualization presents several tables and illustrations of spending data. It is presented separately for each district, with a special district "State Totals - 999" being the sum of all districts. (more…)
26
Mar
Kansas jobs, February 2021
In Kansas for February 2021, the labor force shrank, the number of people working fell, and the unemployment rate fell. Data released today from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the United States Department of Labor, shows a deteriorating employment picture in Kansas for February 2021, even though the unemployment rate fell. (more…)
23
Mar
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for Kansas
Looking at Kansas school test scores as compared to the nation. (more…)
19
Mar
Kansas jobs, January 2021
In Kansas for January 2021, the labor force shrank while the number of people working rose, resulting in a drop in the unemployment rate. Data released this week from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the United States Department of Labor, shows a mixed employment picture in Kansas for January 2021. (Click charts and tables for larger versions.) Using seasonally adjusted data, from December 2020 to January 2021, nonfarm employment in Kansas rose by 10,000 jobs (0.7 percent). Over the year, the number of Kansas nonfarm jobs for January 2021 was lower by 66,400 (4.6 percent) over the same…
05
Mar
Kansas tax revenue, February 2021
For February 2021, Kansas tax revenue was 1.7 percent greater than February 2020. Over the eight months of the current fiscal year, revenue is 14.2 percent higher than at the same point of the previous year. Tax reports from the State of Kansas for February 2021 show tax revenues falling from the previous month, but higher than the same month the prior year, despite the effects of the response to the pandemic. The fall from January is characteristic of the seasonal pattern. When reporting on Kansas tax collections, the comparison is usually made to the estimated collections. Those estimates were…
21
Feb
Historic buildings bill on tap
A bill designed to protect two buildings in downtown Wichita has a legislative hearing this week. Last year a citizen group gathered signatures on a petition that would prevent the City of Wichita from disposing of two downtown buildings without an approving vote of a majority of citizens. Based on having the required number of valid signatures, the petition was certified as valid. But the city sued to have the petition thrown out, contending the petition went beyond what Kansas law allows as the subject of municipal petitions. A judge agreed with the city. Now the group has a bill…
14
Feb
Say no to special tax treatment, again
In Kansas, a company seeks to avoid paying property taxes, again. In a bill presented in the Kansas Legislature, the owner of health clubs seeks to avoid paying property taxes. The same company and its owner have tried this before. In 2014, I explained how granting this exemption was a bad idea. What has changed since then? This exemption is still a bad idea for reasons of public policy. Additionally, Brandon Steven, the owner of the health clubs, plead guilty to a gambling charge and forfeited one million dollars in earnings. The companies also owe a lot of the tax…
05
Feb
Kansas unemployment claims trending lower
A visualization of unemployment insurance claims by state, adjusted for population, shows Kansas as having a high number of claims, but trending lower. (more…)
02
Feb
Kansas tax revenue, January 2021
For January 2021, total Kansas tax revenue was 9.7 percent greater than January 2020. Over the seven months of the current fiscal year, tax revenue is 15.5 percent higher than at the same point of the previous fiscal year. (more…)
30
Jan
Kansas agency revenue
Data regarding State of Kansas agency revenue presented in an interactive visualization, with data through fiscal year 2020. The source of this data is KanView, the Kansas transparency portal, through its download center. Data from multiple years are combined into one database. Data starts with fiscal year 2011. (more…)
30
Jan
Kansas agency expenditures
Data regarding State of Kansas agency spending presented in an interactive visualization. The source of this data is KanView, the Kansas transparency portal, through its download center. Data from multiple years are combined into one database. Data starts with fiscal year 2011. (more…)
26
Jan
Kansas jobs, December 2020
In Kansas for December 2020, the labor force shrank while the number of people working rose, resulting in a drop in the unemployment rate. Data released today from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the United States Department of Labor, shows a mixed employment picture in Kansas for December 2020. (more…)