rate cuts; the Fed can afford to wait. They made a huge mistake when they thought inflation was transitory, and then they rushed to catch up by raising rates 525 basis points over 14 months. After holding rates high for 24 months, cutting 50 basis points wasn’t necessary to boost economic growth. The Fed needs to be cautious about cutting rates too quickly, as it could reignite inflation. Next year, consistent cuts might be needed, but for now, they should be careful. Q. Regardless of the election outcome, what key public policy changes should businesses in OKC be preparing for to capitalize on future growth opportunities? A. On the Trump side, there are both positives and negatives. The plus is his regulatory approach, while the minus includes tariffs and the potential removal of undocumented workers, which could create chaos. On The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber recently announced Hardy Watkins’ as the team’s senior vice president of membership and investor relations. Watkins brings extensive leadership experience and deep community ties that will help strengthen relationships with Chamber members and drive the organization’s growth. “We are thrilled to welcome a proven leader with an exceptional track record of achievement,” said President and CEO of the Greater OKC Chamber Christy Gillenwater. “Hardy’s robust community connections, outstanding executive leadership and commitment to accountability and effective communication uniquely position him as the ideal candidate for this critical role.” Watkins has a long history of success in both public and private sectors. Most recently, Watkins served as chief strategy and innovation officer at Hearts for Hearing. Prior to his experience at Hearts for Hearing, Watkins spent nearly a decade at INTEGRIS Health, where he was vice president of marketing, government and community relations for approximately nine years. At INTEGRIS, Watkins oversaw strategic marketing, advertising, public relations and digital media for Oklahoma’s largest health CHAMBER WELCOMES HARDY WATKINS, SVP MEMBERSHIP & INVESTOR RELATIONS
the Harris side, raising taxes without cutting spending isn’t a good policy, as it could lead to stagnation and slower growth. Her plan to give $25,000 for housing is also a mistake; the focus should be on increasing housing supply, not demand. The plus for Harris is that she’s not all about deficit spending. Continued policies will likely support the development of the EV industry, batteries, CHIPS and science. For Harris, it’s more of the same, with really big positives and negatives for Trump. I just want to make it clear; it won’t be like 2017 when President Trump had Paul Ryan’s growth strategy, which reduced the tax burden, but made it thoughtful in the sense of generating economic growth and deregulation. This time, the easy wins are gone, and Trump’s policies may be more disruptive, creating more uncertainty — especially with tariffs. While there are opportunities, it’s crucial to be mindful of potential problems.
care system, which includes nine hospitals, four micro- hospitals, 170 clinics and over 10,000 employees. Also included in Watkins past career experience is his role as president and CEO of the Edmond Chamber of Commerce, as well as deputy director and executive
director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. “Having closely collaborated with the Chamber for many years, I have witnessed firsthand its remarkable ability to drive our city’s progress,” Watkins said. “I am honored to join this dedicated team and am eager to roll up my sleeves and contribute to our shared vision for a vibrant and prosperous Oklahoma City.” Watkins’ extensive experience in strategic leadership, marketing, and public relations will be instrumental in advancing the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s mission to drive economic growth and create new opportunities for its members. As one of the region’s largest business organizations, the Chamber is focused on strengthening Oklahoma City’s business environment, and Watkins’ leadership will help ensure its continued impact on the local community.
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