Kopsa lends a hand in passage of LB888

Larry Kopsa, CPA and partner in Kopsa Otte + Associates' 25-member firm located in York, Nebraska, was recently invited to meet with Governor Heineman for the signing of LB 888 into law. 
"This law will have a positive impact on our ability to attract new businesses to our state and keep our existing businesses growing," Gov. Heineman said.  "Lowering taxes plays a critical role in local economic development efforts.  This bill will help more of our homegrown businesses develop and prosper, and will enhance our competitiveness as we recruit new businesses here to our state."
According to Kopsa, who testified in favor of this bill before the legislature's revenue committee, the law will help small businesses in Nebraska by increasing the 5.58% tax bracket from $50,000 up to 5.58% on the first $100,000 of taxable income. 
Kopsa testified on behalf of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and the Nebraska Society of CPAs.  He is on the board of directors of the State Chamber of Commerce and is the chairperson of the small business committee.

Cutline:  York accountant Larry Kopsa recently testified in front of the legislature's revenue committee and was then invited to meet with Governor Heineman when the bill was signed into law.

Winkelman to celebrate NPPD milestone
Brad Winkelman of York will be honored on May 1 for 30 years of employment with Nebraska Public Power District.
Winkelman is a senior construction technician on the York Construction Crew. During his career, he also held positions as a journey construction technician on the York Transmission Crew; as a senior line technician on the North Platte Transmission Crew; and as a journey line technician on the York Utility Construction Crew.

Lane to serve on board of directors
Randy Lane of the Overland Concrete Company of York has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Chapter of the American Concrete Institute for the 2008 year.

Fireworks donations sought
The word from the York Area Chamber of Commerce is that additional donations to the Firecracker Frenzy are needed to make sure the show is equal to last year according to Todd Kirshenbaum, executive director for the York Chamber.
Kirshenbaum said the chamber has to send their check to the fireworks company on May 1st in order to get the same caliber of fireworks show as last year for this year's FIRECRACKER FRENZY on July 3rd. 
"We are still about $5000 short of what we need to raise by May 1st to guarantee the same sort of spectacular show," said Kirshenbaum.  "PLEASE consider dropping a contribution to our office before the 1st.  Any size contribution is welcomed!  We are getting close."

What's your verdict?
I didn't have the chance to go to the Red-White spring football game this past Saturday but I did have the chance to read all the accounts and watched the Bo Pelini TV show last night.  So what's your verdict?
Although the whole situation has a great feel to it, with TO in the AD chair and Pelini calling the shots, I don't know if we should be predicting a national championship just yet.  I think a lot of the problems that we had on defense last year will still be around, although Pelini will manage those problems much better than Kevin Cosgrove ever did.
It still seems that our interior defense gets pushed around much too easily and if we can't stop and hold something up at the line of scrimmage, we are still going to be in trouble. I hope I'm wrong, but those diehard fans out there predicting 10 or 11 wins must be smoking something that isn't available at your local convenience store.
Saying all that, it feels great to have everyone pretty much on the same page.  I've actually got that "Nebraska" feeling back.  Give these guys a couple of years of recruiting and developing the program and we just might make it all the way back.
By the way, any Husker fan should check out the article in the latest Sports Illustrated. It's also on SI.com.  Great article.

Thought for the week
It feels good to have that Go Big Red feeling again. 

If you have some Business Beat news or tips to direct my way, call 362-5180 and leave a message or drop an email to news@yorknewstimes.com with the words "business beat" in the subject line.  You can also mail the item to Business Beat, c/o York News-Times, P.O. Box 279, York, NE 68467.  Dave Sjuts photo courtesy of Abbott Studio.