The third meeting for the bipartisan Governor’s Council on Tax Reform concluded this afternoon. The group, composed of experts, representatives and stakeholders, is performing an in-depth study of the state’s current tax system. Once their study is complete, the Council will make specific statutory recommendations to state lawmakers on tax reform in Kansas.

The one-day meeting began with a budget and consensus revenue estimates update, then moved into a public comment period. The council heard testimony from 11 interested groups and individuals, including the Kansas Association of Realtors, the Kansas Association of School Boards, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, KC Healthy Kids and others.

In the afternoon, representatives from the Kansas Department of Revenue gave presentations on Ad Valorem Property Tax and Global Intangible Low-taxed Income (GILTI) provisions under the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act.

Dr. Donna Ginther, professor of economics at the University of Kansas, then offered a history of the three-legged stool approach in Kansas. The three-legged stool refers to a sensible balance of income, sales and property tax revenue.

Following Dr. Ginther’s presentation, Council members participated in discussion regarding their initial tax reform policy thoughts and their expectations for December’s meeting.

Among other topics discussed by the Council:

Three co-equal, sturdy legs of tax revenue would cushion Kansas from recessionary pressures, such as the energy recession of the late 1980s.
Sales tax on food costs the average rural Kansas grocer close to $18,000 per year.
The property tax is the largest, single source of revenue in Kansas, generating $4.93 billion in levied tax from $36.57 billion of taxable value for calendar year 2018.

The next meeting of the Council has been set for Dec. 3-4, 2019. An interim report by the Council is planned for December 2019, in advance of the 2020 legislative session. A final report is due in December 2020, in advance of the 2021 legislative session.

For more on Governor Kelly’s executive order establishing the Council, its membership and presentation materials:

https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/council-on-tax-reform/

Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Fort Scott’s Holiday Open House Tonight Nov. 14 from 5-8 p.m.

November 14, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

The annual Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce holiday shopping event is this evening.

From 5-8 p.m. Nov. 14, stores in the downtown area will welcome shoppers with new displays and perhaps a snack.

Also Bartlesmeyer Jewelry, 1519 S. National; Sekan Occasion Shops, 2210 S. Main and the Lavender Patch, 2376 Locust, will be open late for shopping convenience.

New this year, Kenny Felt Photography will be offering $10 professional photos to make Christmas cards, with 10 percent of the sales going to local organization Care to Share. He will be a part of the Sekan Occasion Shops happenings.

Dolley the Trolley will be going store to store for those whose feet get tired going from store to store.

In addition to snacks to enjoy while shopping, many stores will be offering special drawings, including $50 in Chamber Bucks.

Santa sits on a bench in front of The Ironstar and gets a second look from Ernestine Eden at a past Holiday Open House.

Stores participating in the holiday event are Bids and Dibs, Books and Crannies, Country Cupboard, Courtland Hotel and Spa, Empress Event Center-Marketplace Vendors, Front Door Christmas Store, Hedgehog.INK Book Store, Here We Go Again Upholstery and More, Iron Star Antiques and Such, J&W Sports Shop, Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Main Street Gallery and Gifts, Mayco Ace Hardware, Ruddick’s Furniture, Sekan Occasion Shop, Sunshine Boutique, the Lavender Patch, Trader Dave’s, Treasure Hunt Flea Market.

**Lora Holdridge shows off a Christmas treasure she found at the Holiday Open House.**

Bourbon County Sheriff's Office

The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Nov. 14

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Fort Scott Police Department

The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Nov. 13

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Fort Scott Community College

Breakfast With Santa Dec. 7

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Business, Fort Scott

Gordman’s Opens at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving

November 13, 2019 Submitted Story Leave a comment

For those who love to get a head start on great holiday finds, Gordmans’ EPIC deals will begin on Thanksgiving.

Doors open on Thanksgiving Day at 3 p.m., and again on Black FriYAY starting at 6 a.m. As a holiday headquarters, Gordmans has all the perfect gifts for way less than department store prices.

Sneak Peek at a Few of the Deals

Smart Move: 50” 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart TV for $179.99

Stay Cool: Pelican^™ Elite 30-Quart Cooler for $89.99

Get Up to Speed: Realtree^® Ride-On Toy Truck with MP3, AUX and USB Capabilities for $89.99

It’s Worth Getting There Early…Line Up for Fun!

On Thursday and Friday, the first 75 guests…

get a scratch-off card — it could be a $100 Gordmans gift card or a $5 shopping card;
can enter a drawing to win a giant FAO Schwarz^® teddy bear, replica of the cuddly Bella Bear from Gordmans’ BEARS that CARE partnership with St. Jude.

Black FriYAY-only awesomeness: the first 75 guests at each store receive a free, festive reusable holiday tote bag.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Ring A Bell to Assist Local Families

November 13, 2019 Loretta George Leave a comment

It’s that time of year when shoppers notice the red kettles at stores, with smiling bell ringers waiting for donations.

The Salvation Army annual fundraiser starts the day after Thanksgiving in Bourbon County and bell ringers are needed.

There are flexible hours and days for volunteers to schedule a time of bell ringing.

“It’s great for individuals, families, churches and community service organizations,” Allen Schellack, who is the local contact for the Salvation Army, said.

“The Salvation Army has someone in each county to represent them,” he said. “Called a service extension unit and disaster relief.”

“Your donation will stay local, helping your Bourbon County neighbors in need,” he said. “With such help as utility assistance, some temporary lodging, dental, prescription and glasses, it’s a wide range of things.”

“The last big flood we had, I gave someone a room until the water receded,” Schellack said. “I work case-by-case.”

“This year, $7,789 in assistance was provided 213 times to local families,” Schellack said.

For more information or to set up an appointment, contact Schellack at 620.223.2212.

Compassion Ministries, of which Schellack is the director, is located on the second floor at 26 N. Main. The ministry serves the underprivileged in Bourbon County.

Schellack is also the coordinator for Care Portal, which works with foster families.

To volunteer online go to https://registertoring.com

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee: Integrity Home Care and Hospice Nov. 14

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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER!

JOIN US FOR

THE CHAMBER COFFEE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH, 2019 @ 8 AM

Hosted by: Integrity Home Care & Hospice

A Representative of the VFW will be presenting flags to three (3) Veterans: Daniel Longfellow of Fort Scott, Ward Wools of Fort Scott and James Quirk of Prescott.

These flags will be honored in the Veteran’s names and flown over our State Capital.