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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kris Kobach's criticism prompts Johnson County to delay public safety tax vote
In light of a recently published opinion by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, Johnson County will modify the language of its public safety sales tax ballot question, seek guidance from the state and move the vote from November to March. 'I think it's important that we remain committed to providing suitable public safety funding for our rapidly growing and aging population,' Johnson County Board of Commissioners Chair Mike Kelly told The Star. 'We want Johnson Countians to feel confident that when we're asking them to vote on something that it's not only necessary and critical, but that it's legal and legitimate.' In Kobach's opinion, the attorney general claimed that the commissioners acted beyond their authority when they approved a November ballot question to renew the county's existing public safety sales tax because it goes beyond what Kansas law intended such a tax to be used for. Specifically, Kobach said that mental health and emergency services do not qualify as public safety projects. 'The attorney general doesn't think that calling 911 or having an ambulance show up at your house to deliver life-saving care or a mental health corresponder counts as public safety,' Kelly said during today's meeting, which discussed the opinion in executive session. 'I strongly disagree with that. It's also not his decision to make.' Kobach's opinion is not legally binding. It's his interpretation of state law issued in response to questions from lawmakers — in this case, from Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican. But the county decided to take another look at its ballot language in the context of the law Kobach cited to try and prevent any potential legal challenges in the future. 'When we determined the timeline of the sales tax language that we approved back in May of this year, we made sure to give ourselves a cushion, knowing that the public safety sales tax doesn't expire until March of 2027,' Kelly said. 'Luckily, that does give us time to seek clarity from the court on these issues and still return to the ballot in March 2026 to let the voters decide.' With the commissioners' approval, Johnson County's legal team will begin preparing the declaratory judgement immediately, and the board will vote on a modified resolution for the ballot question next Thursday. What the language will look like is unclear, but it will include shifting the vote from the Nov. 5 general election to a March 2026 special election. An 'attack' on local government During his comments at today's board hearing, Kelly called Kobach's move 'an attack on responsive and responsible local government.' 'I think it's a direct attack on voter approved investments and a further erosion on local control from the state,' Kelly said. In a follow-up interview, Kelly said that the state has continued to take away funding opportunities – like mortgage license fees, personal property tax and commercial equipment funds – from counties and cities to fund their local governments. 'Those erosions leave, really, residential property taxes as the only major source of revenue that's available for these local governments, and that is counter to the will of the people not only in Johnson County, but the state of Kansas,' Kelly said. As rising property taxes continue to impact residents, local leaders have worked with members of the State Legislature to find a solution. But at the same time, the county needs to be able to fund state-mandated services like public safety, he said. 'We are the arm of the state that provides crucial public safety services and social support services,' Kelly said. 'We need to be able to fund those at a level that meets not only the desires, but the expectations of the people of Johnson County, and we won't sacrifice these crucial services that Johnson Countians continue to tell us they appreciate and desire.' The sales tax and Kobach's claims The Johnson County Public Safety Sales tax is a quarter-cent sales tax that paid for the construction of the courthouse and medical examiner's facility at the county level, and that various cities within the county have used to pay for police vehicles, mental health co-responders and facility improvements. According to the county's information page about the tax, 46% of what's generated goes to the county and 36% goes to cities. With a March 2027 expiration date around the corner, the commissioners proposed to extend the tax and put the money toward an expanded set of projects – including emergency medical services, mental health and crisis intervention, among others. The commissioners wanted the sales tax question on the ballot to help the county keep up with its population growth, the rising number of mental health-related calls, and emergency service calls as the population gets older, according to its information page. But Kobach claims that the Kansas statute that allows the board to seek a sales tax renewal can only fund 'physical facilities directly related to law enforcement and necessary related programs.' Chair Kelly said he believes it's more nuanced than that. 'Public safety isn't just a cop with a gun and a badge. It's MedACT, it is EMS, it's mental health corresponders. It's meeting every challenge every time with the best public service possible,' Kelly said. Solve the daily Crossword
Jordan News
16-07-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Cabinet Approves Agreement to Manage and Monitor Trucks in Aqaba Economic Zone - Jordan News
The Council of Ministers, in its session held Wednesday and chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hassan, approved the decision of the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), which includes the endorsement of an agreement to manage, operate, and develop the Truck Control and Monitoring Project between ASEZA and Maqta Ayla for Digital Solutions. اضافة اعلان Under the agreement, Maqta Ayla will be established to develop and operate a digital system for the Aqaba port ecosystem, aiming to digitize operations and services across the ports. The system will facilitate information sharing between key stakeholders—including customs, port authorities, shipping and clearance companies, and the maritime authority—ultimately enhancing the efficiency of maritime and logistics operations in the Aqaba port system. The initiative is expected to accelerate cargo handling and customs clearance, reduce operational costs and processing time, enable digital tracking, and improve transparency. It will also provide a unified platform connecting public and private entities. This move is seen as a cornerstone in the digital transformation of Aqaba's logistics sector, positioning Aqaba as a modern, smart, and competitive regional port hub. One of the key components of the agreement is the Truck Control Project, which aims to regulate truck entry and exit in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone. This will help reduce congestion, improve traffic flow in ports and logistics areas, and digitize the issuance of permits and truck tracking, enhancing road safety, reducing accidents, increasing the efficiency of land transport, and improving connectivity with the ports. It will also strengthen government oversight of truck movements and cargo flow. These measures are expected to boost the management efficiency of logistics infrastructure in Aqaba, enabling ASEZA to impose accurate regulatory and financial oversight on truck operations, and support the development of a smart transportation network at border crossings and roads—aligning with the Economic Modernization Vision, particularly its goals in the transport and logistics sector. The Cabinet decision also includes coordination with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship to ensure the system is compatible with existing digital government services and regulatory protocols.
Jordan News
16-07-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Cabinet Approves Aqaba Digital Logistics Project, Economic Relief Measures, Heritage Preservation - Jordan News
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, on Wednesday approved several key decisions aimed at advancing digital transformation, supporting economic activities, enhancing international cooperation, and preserving Jordan's architectural heritage. اضافة اعلان The Cabinet endorsed a decision by the Board of Commissioners of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) approving an agreement with Maqta Ayla Digital Solutions Company to manage, operate, and develop a digital truck control and monitoring system. Under the agreement, Maqta Ayla will establish a digital platform to modernize operations at Aqaba's port facilities. The system will integrate customs, port operations, shipping lines, clearance companies, and other stakeholders, enabling seamless data exchange and improving the efficiency of maritime and logistics services. These measures are expected to accelerate cargo handling and customs clearance, reduce operational costs, improve transparency, and facilitate digital tracking of logistics processes. The initiative aims to position Aqaba as a regional hub for smart and modern port services, strengthening its competitiveness under the Economic Modernization Vision. Among the planned services is a truck control project to regulate the entry and exit of vehicles into the Aqaba Special Economic Zone. The system will digitize permits, monitor truck movements, ease congestion, enhance road safety, and enable better oversight of freight operations. The Cabinet directed coordination with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship to ensure system compatibility with Jordan's digital government infrastructure. In measures to alleviate economic burdens, the Cabinet approved allowing companies benefiting from the Temporary Employment Support Program in the Digital and Entrepreneurial Sector (Hafiz) to repay debts owed for 2023 over five years in monthly installments. The government has already covered JD1.9 million in Social Security contributions under the Hafiz program, which supports the hiring of approximately 600 youth in IT roles across government service centers and private sector enterprises. The program, which subsidizes up to 50 percent of salaries for new hires, aligns with national objectives to digitize services, foster digital skills, and stimulate private sector growth. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the settlement of 696 pending tax cases between the Income and Sales Tax Department and taxpayers, as part of efforts to improve the business climate, enhance tax compliance, and facilitate legal regularization. On public administration modernization, the Cabinet endorsed the rationale for a draft Administrative Organization System for the Civil Service and Public Administration Authority for 2025, paving the way for submission to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau. The draft seeks to streamline organizational structures, reduce task duplication, enhance governance, and boost public sector efficiency in line with ongoing administrative reforms. Regarding international cooperation, the Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding on social development with Lebanon, aimed at sharing expertise in development and social welfare fields. It also approved an agreement with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China to eliminate double taxation on income and prevent tax evasion, fostering investment and trade ties. In heritage preservation, the Cabinet designated several structures in the Capital, Balqa, and Madaba governorates as heritage buildings, adding them to the Architectural and Urban Heritage Register. These include, in Amman, the House of the late King Talal, the Jordanian Art House, the Jordanian Poetry House, the Ibrahim Hashem House, the Zahid Adlbi House, the Field Marshal Habis Al-Majali House, the Mohammed Al Dabbati House, and the Salmkri Al Khas Hatogh Building. In Balqa, the listed sites include the Salt Historical Museum (Abu Jaber House) and the Aziz Jasser House, while in Madaba they include the Saraya Building, the Beiruti Building, and the Omar Shabib Al Sawalha House.
Jordan News
15-07-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission: Landmark Achievements Reflect the Economic Modernization Vision
Engineer Ziyad Al-Saaida, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC), affirmed that the Commission continued in 2024 to fulfill its regulatory and oversight role over one of the Kingdom's most vital and strategic sectors. This has been guided by the Royal Directives and aligned with the priorities of the Economic Modernization Vision, all while fostering an investment-friendly regulatory environment that balances consumer protection and competitiveness. اضافة اعلان Al-Saaida highlighted that, in line with its commitment to enhancing energy supply security and diversifying local sources, the Commission facilitated the licensing of several strategic projects throughout the year. Most notably, it licensed the first natural gas compression station for locally produced gas from the Risha Field — a strategic step that boosts reliance on local production and supports the competitiveness of the industrial sector as part of a national drive toward efficient, safe, and sustainable energy sources. In the electric transport sector, Al-Saaida stated that the Commission licensed approximately 200 electric vehicle charging stations across the Kingdom. Additionally, over 80% of traditional electricity meters were replaced with smart meters in all sectors — a transformative step in the digitalization of the sector. This move improved consumption efficiency, enhanced billing mechanisms, and reduced electricity losses, aligning with the shift toward a smart, sustainable power grid. Regarding the natural resources sector, Al-Saaida noted that the Commission issued more than 4,900 import and export licenses for mineral raw materials in the past year. It also conducted over 2,900 field inspection tours aimed at protecting national resources from illegal exploitation of quarries and mines and enforcing strict quality control systems over extraction and trade operations. In the field of radiation and nuclear safety, the Commission achieved a regional milestone by linking its fixed radiation monitoring stations to the International Radiation Monitoring Information System (IRMIS) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This made Jordan one of the first Arab countries to establish this connection, enhancing national preparedness for radiological emergencies and elevating international coordination standards in this critical area. In conclusion, Al-Saaida emphasized that the accomplishments of 2024 marked a qualitative leap in service delivery to licensees, investors, and citizens. These achievements also reinforced standards of transparency and governance, culminating in the Commission receiving the King Abdullah II Award for Excellence in Government Performance and Transparency in the Infrastructure and Energy category — a prestigious national honor that reflects the efficiency of EMRC's workforce and the excellence of its institutional framework. He reaffirmed the Commission's ongoing commitment to institutional effectiveness, balanced regulation, and investment promotion — all in pursuit of a safe, sustainable, and highly efficient energy and minerals sector that serves the public interest.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Pinellas County forensic lab named one of top 14 in U.S.
LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) — The Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory has been named one of the top 14 labs in the nation, according to the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors. ASCLD ranked the forensic lab among the best in the nation based on its efficiency in expediting court cases and supporting criminal convictions and exonerations. The lab is credited with ensuring the highest levels of quality analysis. The Pinellas County lab was the only Florida-based forensics lab to receive the society's Foresight Maximus Award, which is granted only to labs that perform at a standard of 90 percent efficiency in relation to the speed and cost of service for taxpayers. Out of 220 nationwide submissions, only 14 laboratories received this distinction. The forensic lab is operated by the Pinellas County Medical Examiner and is fully funded by the county's Board of Commissioners. The lab has provided crucial forensic analysis in cases involving DNA, seized drugs, fire debris and toxicology for the criminal justice community. For more information on the highly regarded lab, go here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
