Unlocking Kansas’s Economic Potential: Kansas Sen. Stephen Owens

For Kansas State Senator Stephen Owens, the past year has been a whirlwind of change, challenge, and opportunity. After six years in the House, Owens made the leap across the rotunda to the Senate just before the last election cycle.

“It’s an honor to have a voice in the building,” Owens said. “Whether it’s House or Senate, I’m just happy to be there.”

The move, he said, was less about politics and more about opportunity: to shape policy and work with leadership he respects. Owens’ first year in the Senate was defined by a dive into commerce, a stark shift from his previous focus on corrections and juvenile justice.

“I’m really excited about being able to focus on commerce-related issues and really dive deep into the regulatory frustration that exists within every government, but especially in Kansas,” he said. “Most businesses, they just want you to get the heck out of their way and let them be successful.”

That frustration sparked Owens’s work on the regulatory sandbox bill, designed to let entrepreneurs test ideas without being bogged down by bureaucracy.

“The whole idea of a sandbox is being able to create an environment where a company, a business, an entrepreneur, can come in and innovate without that regulatory burden,” Owens explained. “They can apply to the Attorney General’s Office … and try to build all-new, different kinds of sand structures. Hopefully, they can make some money and build the economy without that intense regulatory burden that exists.”

Entrepreneurship has always been part of Owens’ story: “I’ve been blessed to work for myself for 25 years. I have started and failed and been successful. I’ve even traded businesses. We even have a great little fishing tool that we sell online through Amazon … it is a rod-mounted line cutter,” he said, recalling a venture that merged his passion for business with his love of fishing.

Looking forward, Owens sees more opportunities for Kansas to capitalize on its strengths. He recently announced the creation of the Kansas Aviation Caucus, aimed at leveraging the state’s rich history in aviation. “Kansas has an incredibly rich history of aviation … yet we as a state kind of take that segment of our economy for granted,” he said.

For Owens, economic growth is about risk, freedom, and bold ideas. “We’re our only limiting factor. The only one stopping us is our willingness to take a little bit of risk, roll the dice, throw something out there, and see if it sticks. It’s where we’re at,” he said.

Whether through innovation, regulatory reform, or aviation initiatives, Owens is betting on Kansas’ potential — and on the entrepreneurial spirit that has defined his own life.