It was inevitable that the nation’s mortgage crisis would affect Wichita. Fortunately, it still isn’t hitting locally as hard as it is elsewhere, thanks to a stronger economy, steadier housing market and more conservative lending practices. Nearly 16 percent of subprime loans in the Wichita area were delinquent in June and more than 6 percent were in foreclosure, The Eagle reported. That’s high, though below the national rates and not significantly higher than the previous year’s rates. The big jump locally is in so-called Alt-A or “stated income” loans, which had foreclosure and delinquency rates in June that were twice what they were in June 2007.
Two years from now, Kansans will be looking at more political upheaval than usual, with the jobs of the term-limited Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and self-term-limited Sen. Sam Brownback both up for grabs. It’s more than possible they could swap jobs. The Republican said Thursday that he’s “going to look at the governor’s race.” As for whether Democrat Sebelius might run for his Senate seat, he said: “It’s a free country. She can do what she wants to do. I don’t think she’s going to win this position. Kansas is a conservative state.” True, but don’t forget that Sebelius already has won four statewide races, compared with Brownback’s three.
It’s good that planners are finally coming up with a strategy for downtown arena parking. Last week they recommended that Sedgwick County gain control of 2,400 parking spaces within four blocks of Intrust Bank Arena. County Commissioner Tim Norton also thinks that the city and county should build a parking deck off Waterman on the other side of the railroad overpass from the arena. Some other county commissioners aren’t convinced about a deck. But given the public’s perception, real or imagined, that arena parking is a problem, the parking deck could be a wise investment — and a good use of tax-increment financing money, which the city and county also need to approve.
Calling him “the Senate’s Jay Leno,” Washingtonian magazine once again named Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., as the “funniest” man in the U.S. Senate. In its latest survey of 1,700 Capitol Hill aides, Roberts earned double the combined votes of second-place Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., and third-place Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass, in the comedy category. That was the Kansas delegation’s only medal finish (though former Wichitan Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., was named third “meanest” senator).
It was inevitable that the nation’s mortgage crisis would affect Wichita. Fortunately, it still isn’t hitting locally as hard as it is elsewhere, thanks to a stronger economy, steadier housing market and more conservative lending practices. Nearly 16 percent of subprime loans in the Wichita area were delinquent in June and more than 6 percent were in foreclosure, The Eagle reported. That’s high, though below the national rates and not significantly higher than the previous year’s rates. The big jump locally is in so-called Alt-A or “stated income” loans, which had foreclosure and delinquency rates in June that were twice what they were in June 2007.
