On Tuesday, Congressman Tim Huelskamp  accepted the “Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence” from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) at an event hosted by Cargill AgHorizons in Hutchinson, Kansas.  NAM is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states.  This award is given to members of Congress who maintained a voting record of 70 percent or higher on key votes.  Congressman Huelskamp received a voting record of 86 percent during the 112^th Congress.

Jeff Handevidt, Farm Service Group lead for Cargill AgHorizons said, “Cargill AgHoirzons thanks Congressman Huelskamp for ensuring that the manufacturing voice is heard in Washington.  It is leaders like Congressman Huelskamp who know that manufacturers are drivers of economic growth, job creation, and prosperity.”

Congressman Huelskamp released this statement:

“I am honored to receive this award.  Kansans sent me to Capitol Hill to champion entrepreneurs and free market principles.  I will continue to fight for the repeal of the onerous laws, rules, and regulations that are killing jobs and strangling the manufacturing sector in self-wrapping red tape.”

(AP) – Kansas lawmakers are close to finishing work on gun-rights measures representing the Republican-dominated Legislature’s response to the fatal school shooting in December in Newtown, Conn.

House and Senate negotiators agreed Wednesday on the final version of a bill declaring that the federal government can’t regulate guns, ammunition and accessories manufactured, sold and kept only in Kansas. The bill makes it a felony for a federal employee or agent to attempt to enforce a law, regulation, order or treaty affecting such guns.

Lawmakers are still working on the final language for another concealed carry bill but expect to finish this week.

The bill would allow public schools and colleges to arm individual employees with concealed guns and would permit concealed weapons in more public buildings.

(AP) – Kansas senators have voted to expand a rural growth program aimed at helping counties with declining populations attract new residents.

The 28-12 vote Wednesday would expand the Rural Opportunity Zone program from its current 50 counties to 73 counties. The measure now goes to the House for consideration.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback initiated the program in 2011 to help counties that experienced population declines of 10 percent or more between 2000 and 2010. The program exempts new residents from income taxes for five years and helps with the repayment of student loans.

Supporters say the program gives rural counties a tool for stabilizing their populations. Critics argue they need more information on whether the program is working.