Hutton builds impressive new lectern

In addition to helping craft legislation as a state lawmaker, Rep. Mark Hutton, R-Wichita, crafted an impressive new lectern that was installed this week in the House chambers in Topeka. Hutton, who is a general contractor and woodworking hobbyist, told the Topeka Capital-Journal that the previous lectern “didn’t fit in very well” in the ornate chamber. Hutton made the new lectern out of Kansas walnut and estimates that it weighs 150-200 pounds. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t figure out how to put a trapdoor behind it,” he joked. – Phillip Brownlee

This story was originally published January 8, 2015 at 6:05 PM.