In many respects, I have come to believe that the calculated risk-taking, creative entrepreneurs are our future. In our community, as in most towns, what we accept as the economic backbone of our communities today were venture capital risks of yesteryear. Today we simply are not meeting the need. I fear our Kansas entrepreneurs, ultimately, are tempted to move to states where venture capital is more readily available. We can no longer ignore the problem.
Competition is intense.
We cannot ignore the efforts our neighboring states such as Missouri and Oklahoma have set in motion to address the issue. House Bill 2688 addresses the problem. I urge your favorable consideration of HB 2688 and I, again, thank you for your courtesy and attention.