The annual small business recognition awards ceremony was held last week for 17 deserving Kansas businesses.
From northwest Kansas two awards were given. The Export Business of the Year was awarded to Double D Family Mat Shop, Inc., owned by Dale and Dena Goetz of Park, KS. Goetz started his own feedlot business outside Park in 1993. Their business started with Dena making doormats from sidewalls of car tires. Dale heard of a feed yard that had poured concrete in front of the cattle chutes and the cattle were slipping and getting hurt on the slick concrete. Dale thought about the rubber doormats and came up with the idea of stitching the tire treads on hand together to make a large mat. This proved to work for the feed yard, was environmentally friendly and a way to re-use old tires. Goetz has a patent-pending on a Sled‘n’Sling that will allow livestock handlers to move injured animals in a safe and humane way. This family business exports its products to places like Canada and Australia.
Honored for an existing business of the year was KYVZ Radio. Joe and Becca Vyzourek of Atwood own and operate KYVZ radio. Back in September of 2013, Joe set out in his quest to start a radio station. Through much adversity and with a great deal of patience on March 16, 2016, the only locally owned and operated radio station in western Kansas and southwest Nebraska, was on air. Joe reports that one of his biggest accomplishments in becoming an entrepreneur is the ability to give back to his community through support of area projects and having the ability to donate to local clubs and businesses. Joe hopes to expand his radio station in the future so people will have access to his station online and through smart phones.
Tuesday, I testified before the House Fed and State committee on the Home-owned Amusement Ride bill. The bill is scheduled to be worked either Monday or Tuesday and I hope it will get to the floor this week.
HB2476 was passed out of the Senate last week. This bill would allow licensed microbrewers in the State to produce beer containing up to 15% alcohol by weight. Current law prohibits microbrewers from producing beer with more than 10% alcohol by weight. A microbrewery licensee would be allowed to sell beer manufactured by the licensee in refillable and sealable containers to consumers for off-premises consumption if the containers do not contain less than 12 fluid ounces or more than 64 fluid ounces of beer. Licensees would be required to affix labels to all containers sold, which would include the licensee’s name, the name and the type of beer in the container.
There were two gun bills passed out of the Senate last week. HB 2145 would prohibit gun ownership to those convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense within the last 5 years. HB 2145 would also amend state law by adding throwing star with the intent to harm as a crime. Before this amendment, an individual could be held accountable for simply possessing a throwing star. This amendment clarifies that individuals can only be held accountable if they possess a throwing star and have intent to harm another person.
HB 2042 allows for the recognition of out-of-state concealed carry permits. HB 2042 requires individuals with out-of-state concealed carry permits to abide by Kansas law while in the state.
True Facts: Since President Trump’s time in office the United States has 2 million less people on food stamps.
It is my honor and pleasure to represent the 40th Senate District. Please contact me at 785 296-7399 with your suggestions or concerns.