Kobach not commenting on talk he could head to Trump administration

by Stephen Koranda, Kansas News Service

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s loss in the race for governor at least heightens the possibility that he may join President Donald Trump’s administration.

Kris Kobach has been a long-time Trump ally. When President Trump campaigned for him in Topeka last month, Trump talked about what might happen if Kobach didn’t win the race for governor.

“I hated that he ran, because I would have loved to have brought him into my administration,” Trump said. “In fact, if he loses, I’ll bring him into my administration in two seconds.”

With Jeff Sessions out as Trump’s attorney general, those throw-away comments at the president’s rally take on a different tone. Kobach was reportedly in consideration for attorney general before Trump originally picked Sessions.

After his loss, Kobach would not say what his next move might be after he leaves office. A spokesperson for Kobach’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment about whether that he could be considered for U.S. attorney general.

Stephen Koranda is Statehouse Reporter for Kansas Public Radio, a partner in the Kansas News Service with KCUR, KMUW, and High Plains Public Radio. Follow him on Twitter @kprkoranda. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link back to the original post. To contact KMUW News or to send in a news tip, reach us at news@kmuw.org.
See more at http://www.kmuw.org/post/kobach-not-commenting-talk-he-could-head-trump-administration

Wyandotte County under winter weather advisory from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. today

A winter weather advisory has been issued for Wyandotte County from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, according to the National Weather Service.

Snow is expected, with a total accumulation of up to one inch, according to the weather service.

Residents should expect significantly reduced visibilities and areas of slippery road conditions, according to the weather service. The evening commute could be affected.

Residents are asked to use caution while driving because of the possibility of snow-covered roads and limited visibility, the weather service said.

Other nearby areas under the winter weather advisory include Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami and Atchison counties in Kansas, and Platte, Clay, Jackson and Cass counties in Missouri.

For more information, visit www.weather.gov.

Public hearing tonight at UG meeting on bonds for $65 million Legends apartments and garage project

A public hearing on issuing bonds of up to $65 million for the Legends apartments and garage is on tonight’s Unified Government Commission agenda.

The Unified Government Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

The public hearing is on a resolution of intent for the Unified Government to issue industrial revenues bonds for Legacy KCK Westside Venture LLC, the Legends apartments and garage project.

Also on the agenda is a vote on a resolution of intent to issue IRBs not to exceed $30 million for the benefit of West Lawn Legends Apartments project.

The agreements are with WLD Legends Owner VII, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and Legacy KCK Westside Venture, LLC, a Kansas limited liability company.

Also on the agenda Thursday evening are two ordinances authorizing the issuing of taxable industrial revenue bonds for the PQ Corp. project at 1700 Kansas Ave. The amount is $13 million and the funds would be spent on acquiring property, constructing, installing and equipping the industrial facility.
Another ordinance, for $2 million in IRBs for the PQ Corp. development, is also on the agenda.

Also on Thursday’s agenda:

– Approval of the Solid Waste Planning Committee’s annual report of the Wyandotte County Solid Waste Plan.

– An ordinance granting a fiber optic cable franchise to MCImetro Access Transmission Services Corp., doing business as Verizon Access Transmission Services.

– A resolution authorizing a survey of property to be acquired for the multi-phase Urban Trails-Bike Lanes project.

– A resolution authorizing a survey of property to be acquired for the Safe Routes to School project, near William Allen White Elementary – West Middle School along Welborn Lane from Georgia to North 45th, and near Frances Willard Elementary along Orville from North 28th to North 36th.

– An ordinance to expand the jurisdiction of the Wyandotte County Health Department to inspect public pools in the entire Unified Government territory.

– A resolution supporting the Wyandotte County Health Department’s Community Health Improvement Plan.

– A change to the UG’s alcoholic beverages ordinance establishing hours that a club may prohibit the serving, mixing or consumption of alcoholic liquor on licensed premises. Specifically, the change is prohibiting liquor to be served or consumed on premises from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.; previously it was 2 a.m. to 9 a.m.

– Changes to the UG’s noise disturbance ordinance also are on the agenda. Also, a previous “swimming noise” provision would be repealed.

– The UG’s Capital Maintenance Improvement Project financing authorization is on the agenda. This includes a list of projects in the UG.

– Also on the agenda is a resolution authorizing the sale of municipal temporary notes and general obligation bonds totaling about $155 million. In addition, $11.2 million in imporvements would be funded with Public Building Commission leasehold revenue bonds. The last group includes courthouse improvements, the jail – juvenile facility and Health Department bulding upgrades.

– The Rainbow Village development, allowing transient guest tax revenue receipts to be used for reimbursement of project costs, instead of issuing municipal bonds, is also on the agenda.

– Several Land Bank items also are on the agenda.

There also will be a 5 p.m. special meeting on Nov. 8 in the Commission Chambers, lobby level, 701 N. 7th St. The commission is expected to open the session and then recess to the ninth floor conference room for a closed, executive session on building security.

The agenda is online at https://www.wycokck.org/Clerk/Agendas.aspx.