TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 6 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
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2024 PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES
PRO-BUSINESS SCORECARD
22 FEDERAL OFFICIALS
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GREATER OKC CHAMBER PAC
OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE
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OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS
CHAMBER LEADERSHIP
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS BENEFACTORS
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SPONSOR Paycom
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
As the voice of Oklahoma City’s business community, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber aims to engage with our state legislators and other local, state and nationally elected officials to promote pro-business policies and economic development within our city and region. We accomplish this through cooperation and collaboration among our various stakeholders, including you, our members. This past year, the Greater Oklahoma City region witnessed a surge of economic development activity and announcements, many of which would not have come to fruition if not for the purposeful and intentional engagement by your Chamber’s government relations team working alongside our elected officials in Oklahoma City and Washington. This kind of engagement needs participation from all our stakeholders so that we can continue the momentum our city and state have experienced in recent times. That is why it so critical that you join us this upcoming legislative session as we continue to strengthen existing relationships and forge new ones. The viability and continued growth of our respective business sectors depends on it. To help you in your interactions with those elected officials, the Chamber is providing you with this 2024 Public Policy Guide. This publication contains pertinent and up-to-date information at your fingertips. Please use this valuable resource to help make your voice heard on issues that matter most to you and your business.
If the Chamber can be of any other assistance to you during this upcoming legislative session, please let us know.
TERESA ROSE, JD Chair, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Executive Director, Communities Foundation of Oklahoma
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BE A BUSINESS ADVOCATE BUSINESS ADVOCACY CENTER The Chamber’s Business Advocacy Center located at
OKCBusinessAdvocate.com makes staying informed simple. With just a few clicks, you can stay up-to-date during the legislative session by signing up for The Business Advocate, the Chamber’s newsletter informing you on key developments at the Capitol during the legislative session. You can also find contact information for your elected officials so that you can make your voice heard on the issues that matter most to the business community. Together, we can build a stronger business climate for the Oklahoma City region.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TEAM
Throughout the year, the Chamber’s government relations team works proactively to ensure the Oklahoma City region is moving forward and growing stronger. The Chamber is the voice of business in Greater Oklahoma City, and advocates at all levels of government to achieve our pro-business public policy agenda. The Chamber staff is always available to assist your business in any way possible.
Christy Gillenwater President & CEO (405) 297-8939 cgillenwater@okcchamber.com
Mike Jackson Sr. Vice President, Government Relations (405) 297-8925 mikejackson@okcchamber.com
Derek Sparks Sr. Manager, Government Relations (405) 297-8933 dsparks@okcchamber.com
Sarah Barton Sr. Executive Assistant, Government Relations (405) 297-8922 sbarton@okcchamber.com
Drew Dugan, CCE Vice President, Education & Local Government (405) 297-8940 ddugan@okcchamber.com
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STATE ISSUES 2024 PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES
COUNTY GOVERNMENT REFORM The Chamber supports empowering Oklahoma counties to alter their form of government to meet their unique needs. WORKERS’ COMP REFORM The Chamber supports defending and improving the comprehensive workers’ compensation reform legislation enacted during the 2013 session. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS The Chamber supports retaining and strengthening the state’s premier economic/community development programs which are critical in attracting new businesses to the state, assisting existing companies to expand and encouraging investment in communities across the state. Following are the key programs the Chamber will seek to protect and improve: • Quality Jobs Act, 21st Century QJA, Small Employer QJA and the Prime Contractor QJA
participating in joint research with Oklahoma’s public research institutions.
TAX REFORM The Chamber supports reforming the tax code to better incentivize companies to locate/invest in Oklahoma. TIF DISTRICTS The Chamber supports protecting current state law on Tax Increment Finance Districts to ensure the continued viability of this economic development tool.
BROADBAND/DATA PRIVACY The Chamber supports:
• Protecting Oklahoma’s pro-investment environment to facilitate the development of telecommunication infrastructure. • Removing barriers to broadband access in Oklahoma such as ensuring providers are reasonably charged for the use of the public rights of way and facilities within the rights of way. • Working with stakeholders to adopt common sense protections regarding data privacy. • Enacting comprehensive federal data privacy legislation to avoid burdensome, complex and conflicting state requirements for providers. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Artificial Intelligence technologies hold immense potential to revolutionize various industries by implementing advancements that can improve business efficiencies and our quality of life. Embracing this transformative technology requires a balanced approach. Oklahoma should foster a supportive environment that both safeguards our fundamental rights and catalyzes the innovation, development and adoption of AI while encouraging a federal solution.
• Aerospace Engineer Tax Credit • Investment/New Jobs Tax Credit
• Historical Building Rehabilitation Tax Credit • Cybersecurity/Software Engineer Tax Credit • Five-year Ad Valorem Abatement and Sales Tax Exemption for Manufacturing Facilities • Regional Home Office Insurance Premium Tax Credit
• Tourism Development Act • Filmed in Oklahoma Act
The Chamber will support efforts to reinstate the Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Homes and oppose efforts to amend the state’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit in a way that would deter investment in affordable housing. The Chamber will support incentives and other state support to maximize opportunities for public and private investment in research and development, including Oklahoma businesses
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LEGAL REFORM The Chamber supports placing a reasonable cap on non- economic damages in personal injury lawsuits. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY The Chamber supports the development of Advanced Air Mobility in OKC and the state, through public/private partnerships, including adequate funding of utility and power requirements necessary for the implementation of safe and reliable autonomous air vehicles (passenger/cargo). INCENTIVE EVALUATION COMMISSION The Chamber supports the Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission, which was established to make recommendations to the Legislature and governor on which incentive programs are serving their intended purpose and creating economic/ community development. If an incentive program cannot show a positive return to the state, it should be scaled back or repealed. BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS The Chamber supports protecting the current form of business improvement districts as established in 11 OK Stat § 11-39-101 (2014). The continued viability and effectiveness of these districts is critical to current and future economic development efforts in Oklahoma municipalities. WIND SUBSIDIES The Chamber supports ending the Manufacturer’s Sales Tax Exemption for new wind facilities and requiring the Zero- Emissions Tax Credit to be claimed only as a credit (and not as a refund). GUN LEGISLATION The Chamber supports the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the responsible expansion of gun-owner’s rights in Oklahoma. However, the Chamber will oppose legislation that would allow open/concealed carry of guns into local athletic and high-economic impact events (many of which are required by contract to prohibit weapons), including horse shows, the Oklahoma State Fair, Olympic Qualifiers on the Oklahoma River, high school and collegiate sporting events. The Chamber will oppose legislation to allow guns to be carried on college campuses, as well as legislation to prohibit state and local governments from contracting with companies based upon the company’s position on firearms. The Chamber will lead the efforts of the “Oklahomans for Business and Property Owners’ Rights” coalition to defend against harmful gun legislation and work with the National Rifle
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Association, the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association and other stakeholders to improve and clarify existing gun laws while, at the same time, ensuring the protection of property rights and public safety. CRIMINAL JUSTICE/SENTENCING REFORM The Chamber supports legislation and funding for sentencing reforms and rehabilitation programs to ease the financial drain on Oklahoma’s criminal justice system, lessen the burden on jails and prisons throughout the state and allow nonviolent offenders to enter the workforce more quickly. The Chamber supports full funding for the County Community Safety Investment Fund, managed by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services pursuant to the terms of SB 844 (2023) and State Questions 780 and 781 (2016). The Chamber also supports: 1) continuing smart sentencing reform; 2) improving bail and jail practices; 3) making reentry and supervision improvements to reduce fines and fees, enhance workforce opportunities and increase public safety; and 4) securing additional treatment funding. MARIJUANA The Chamber supports additional legislation to address issues related to the state’s marijuana industry, including: 1) unlicensed growers/black market sales; 2) illegal land purchases; 3) damaging use of pesticides; and 4) uncontrolled water use. PENSION REFORM The Chamber supports protecting the pension reforms which have improved the long-term fiscal condition of the state. WATER The Chamber will work with the governor, state Legislature, City of OKC and other stakeholders to ensure the availability of a long-term water supply for central Oklahoma. OIL & GAS TAX The Chamber supports a stable oil and gas tax structure which promotes the investment of drilling capital in Oklahoma.
Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) to support the public health of Oklahomans.
TREATMENT OF LIMITED CONDITIONS BY PHARMACISTS
The Chamber supports building upon successful efforts by pharmacists during the pandemic to evaluate and initiate treatment for COVID-19 by permitting them to also evaluate and initiate treatment for conditions such as flu, strep, UTI, athlete’s foot, pink eye and head lice. FEDERAL ISSUES CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING REQUESTS/ APPROPRIATIONS/FEDERAL GRANTS The Chamber will collaborate with our Congressional delegation to aggressively pursue Congressionally Directed Spending requests, federal appropriations and federal grants related to the Chamber’s (and its member/partner organizations) economic development, transportation/infrastructure, aerospace/defense, education, healthcare, criminal justice and other priorities. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Artificial Intelligence technologies hold immense potential to revolutionize various industries by implementing advancements that can improve business efficiencies and our quality of life. Embracing this transformative technology requires a balanced approach that fosters a supportive environment that safeguards our fundamental rights and catalyzes the innovation, development and adoption of AI. A federal solution is critical for the United States to remain at the forefront of technological innovation to ensure a secure and prosperous future for all. IMMIGRATION REFORM The Chamber supports federal immigration reform to secure the borders and establish reasonable and effective visa policies/ procedures to attract essential workers to the United States. SECURE AND FAIR ENFORCEMENT BANKING (SAFE) ACT The Chamber supports federal legislation allowing banks to provide financial services to marijuana businesses.
TOBACCO SETTLEMENT ENDOWMENT TRUST (TSET) The Chamber supports the constitutional provisions of the
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STATE ISSUES 2024 EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES
EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION Having access to high-quality early childhood care and education programs encourages parental/guardian employment, which creates more economic security and better opportunities for families. The Chamber recognizes that finding solutions to ongoing childcare needs will require collaboration with federal, state and local governments, business and industry, philanthropic and nonprofit community and education providers. The Chamber steadfastly supports early childhood education, birth to eight years old, and full funding of pre-K and kindergarten programs. Targeted spending on our youngest children is simply a smart investment. LONG-TERM, STRATEGIC EDUCATION FUNDING The Chamber supports development of a long-term, strategic plan that will enable improvement in classroom teaching and academic performance. This should include increasing the minimum number of instructional hours, currently 1,080 hours, required for a complete school year. We also support ongoing funding to enable schools to achieve targeted classroom sizes.
students such as being English language learners, living in high poverty and from urban areas. • Support specialized “grow-your-own” training initiatives such as the OKCPS Foundation Bilingual & Diversity Teacher Pipeline program (supported by UCO, OCCC, Rose State and OSU-OKC) and UCO’s Urban Teacher Preparation Academy. • Implement teacher retention and mentor teacher programs. • Support continued investment in the “Inspired to Teach” scholarship and incentive program. • Increase access to STEM education and training opportunities. • Support adjustments to the teacher retirement system and other strategies that help encourage retention and re-entry of experienced teachers and educators. • Encourage development of programs that encourage students to pursue teaching as a profession. This should include increased public relations and advertising campaigns to recruit teachers. It may also include various programs that offer students tutoring experience, such as Oklahoma’s Math Tutoring Corps, Educators Rising and Teach For America’s Ignite Fellowship. ADJUNCT, ALTERNATIVE AND EMERGENCY CERTIFIED TEACHERS The Chamber recognizes the need for Adjunct, Alternative and Emergency certified teachers will continue to increase. We support efforts to increase retention and make sure these teachers are as prepared as possible and as quickly as possible. We support:
TEACHER PREPARATION, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Oklahoma has a teacher shortage. Oklahoma needs to improve our teacher preparation pipeline systems to train, attract and retain more high-quality teachers. We support legislation to: • Reward teacher performance and experience. • Incentivize teachers to work in high priority areas and receive training to help them prepare for challenges facing
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• Alternative pathways such as Teach for America that enhance the diversity of the teaching profession. • Educator Prep Programs (EPP) that offer micro-credentials for individuals seeking alternative teacher certifications. • Providing additional pre- and post-school year pathway preparation programs that comprehensively prepare teachers who meet state requirements. • Implementing incentives, such as stipends, scholarships or salary grade adjustments, to increase completion of comprehensive professional development and reduce the timeframe it takes to complete comprehensive professional development. ATTRACT AND DEVELOP HIGH-PERFORMING SCHOOL LEADERS Top-notch school leadership by school superintendents and principals is critical to school performance, teacher retention and school culture. The Chamber supports the creation and implementation of initiatives that attract, retain and develop innovative and high-performing school leaders. LONGITUDINAL DATA SYSTEM The business community encourages the development and implementation of a new Pre-K to 20 longitudinal data system that will measure performance and progress. A working system would measure the progress, challenges and success of our education systems from early childhood through higher education and into employment. Accurate data would enhance critical programmatic and funding decisions. POST PANDEMIC LEARNING LOSS The Chamber acknowledges challenges of the pandemic, including remote learning and technology access, led to learning loss for many students. We know that prior to the pandemic not enough students were achieving advanced or proficient test scores, and recent test scores indicate an even lower performance. The Chamber supports providing additional and enhanced learning opportunities that utilize recognized best practices. We believe it is important to help students catch up by having more time on tasks, including longer school days and additional instruction days. MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS Oklahoma students at all levels face a high level of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). We support initiatives to address the mental and behavioral health of students and all school personnel. PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS The Chamber supports charter schools and education choices. Charter schools are public schools and are required to adhere to Oklahoma statutes and performance standards. We support
creating high-quality charter schools and enabling successful charter schools to grow. This includes online charter schools, schools designed to meet the needs of targeted underserved populations or schools that provide specific curriculum. We support ensuring that all public schools are funded equitably and that charter schools have access to funding for infrastructure and facilities. OKLAHOMA SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM) has consistently ranked among the nation’s top public high schools. More than half of OSSM graduates stay in Oklahoma, and 85% are choosing STEM careers. Provided the OSSM Board and administration continue to focus on implementing effective policies, procedures and safeguards to improve the school culture, and ensure OSSM is a safe place for all students, faculty and staff, the Chamber will continue to support full funding for the OSSM budget. SPECIALTY SCHOOLS We support state funding for schools that target the specific needs of students experiencing homelessness. This includes schools like Positive Tomorrows, a private nonprofit school in Oklahoma City exclusively serving students in need of housing support with services that help stabilize their families, bring the students up to grade level and prepare them for success in public school. SCHOOL AND CAMPUS SAFETY The Chamber will oppose legislation to permit carrying of firearms at early childhood, pre-K-12, colleges and CareerTech facilities. We will oppose efforts to remove or replace the ability of CareerTech and higher education institutions to regulate firearms on campus. The business community recognizes that national events have created increasing concerns about school safety and that additional protection may require additional funding. TEACHER WELLNESS AND HEALTH We believe our schools should provide a safe and healthy work and learning environment. This includes enabling schools to prevent spread of illness and minimize teacher absences by encouraging all school personnel to take precautionary steps, including getting vaccinated. CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT & WORK-BASED LEARNING The Chamber recognizes the excellent learning opportunities offered at our four-year universities, community colleges and CareerTechs. Students should be allowed and encouraged to begin pursuit of a degree or certification while still in high school. They reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a degree
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HIGHER EDUCATION – EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT
or certificate at a post-secondary institution, which reduces costs and speeds entry into the workforce. We support fully funding tuition, books and fees for seniors and juniors as funding is available. We also support efforts to increase work-based learning opportunities that prepare individuals for careers. HIGHER EDUCATION – REFORM AND INVESTMENT The Chamber recognizes a high-quality higher education system is critical to economic growth. Oklahoma City continues to struggle with meeting the workforce needs of its employers, particularly in Critical Occupations (as defined by www. oklahomaworks.gov/criticaloccupations). The business community, governments and higher education continue to face financial challenges. We all must be innovative and flexible to meet the needs of customers and achieve our mission. This includes development of partnerships that produce tech transfer and research partnerships to generate private, federal and foundation revenue. We urge the higher education system to pursue significant reform to better meet employer needs. The business community supports the following reforms: • Higher education funding directed to producing graduates with degrees in Critical Occupations such as engineering, nursing and IT/software/cybersecurity. • Increased accountability and annual metrics that motivate institutions to increase the number of graduates by requiring timely reporting of degrees produced in Critical Occupations. • Innovative approaches to curriculum and degree offerings, including ongoing analysis of in-demand degree programs and creation of non-degree programs/certificates that create a workforce with needed skills. • Efforts to maximize funding through consolidation and sharing of services, programs and instructors. • New partnerships between four-year institutions, CareerTechs and community colleges that enable schools to share resources, staff and facilities. WORKFORCE/ADULT LEARNING Oklahoma’s workforce has many people who have started college but have not earned degrees. The state also has many individuals who need additional skills or training to meet employers’ needs. The Chamber supports new programs and fiscal solutions to support adult learners’ ability to upskill and complete degrees.
To increase the college-educated workforce in the state, the Chamber supports the expansion of the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship tax credit for needs-based scholarships to eligible public college students. This expansion would generate funding for scholarships by providing tax credits to individuals and businesses who make donations to higher education foundations that provide scholarships. OSRHE FUNDING FORMULA The Chamber supports re-examining current funding formulas and metrics to provide equitable base funding for public higher education institutions from the Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education. OKLAHOMA’S PROMISE Oklahoma’s Promise is one of the nation’s most successful college access programs. We oppose legislation that would diminish the program’s focus on college access. We support efforts to increase the number of college graduates and continued direct allocation of state funds, which ensures full funding of scholarships earned by Oklahoma students. CAREER TECH – BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY TRAINING The Oklahoma CareerTech system is acknowledged as one of the top systems in the nation. CareerTech is a key ingredient in attracting industry to Oklahoma through its Training for Industry Program (TIP). The Chamber supports funding to assure training needs for new and existing industry. The business community urges the system to focus on producing a workforce that can meet the needs of in demand and Critical Occupations. CAREER READINESS AND CERTIFICATION The Chamber believes the Oklahoma workforce needs more opportunities to earn post-secondary education, including certifications, degrees, licenses and other training targeting skills that are in demand and meet industry needs. • We support key scholarship programs: Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grants (OTEG) and Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grants (OTAG). • We support concurrent enrollment that enables more students enter college and complete a college degree. • We support development of work-based learning opportunities such as internships and apprenticeship programs.
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FEDERAL ISSUES HELPING STUDENTS PAY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION The Chamber recognizes that students need financial resources to complete post-secondary education. We support: • FAFSA Completion: The Chamber supports efforts to increase the number of students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) because it helps students learn about how to pay for higher education. • Pell Grants and TRIO: The Chamber supports continued availability of Pell Grants to help students pay for higher education. We also support federally funded TRIO grants that help disadvantaged individuals prepare for and succeed
in higher education. • Farm and Small Business Exemptions: The Chamber supports efforts to help students who are from families who are farmers or small business owners maximize the eligibility for federal financial support to pay for higher education. REMOVING RED TAPE FOR CHILD NUTRITION The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber recognizes that federal nutrition programs play a key role in keeping children in the Oklahoma City metro fed. The Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act has not been updated in more than a decade. The Chamber supports the reauthorization of this act to better serve the children of the Oklahoma City community.
STATE ISSUES 2024 HEALTH CARE PRIORITIES MEDICAID REFORM
OKLAHOMA CITY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT The Chamber supports local public health efforts/responses and, therefore, supports protecting the independence of the Oklahoma City County Health Department. WORKPLACE VIOLENCE The Chamber supports maintaining continued focus on protecting Oklahoma’s medical workforce that is facing increased incidences of violence in the workplace. VACCINE MANDATES The Chamber supports allowing each company/business to determine whether to mandate vaccinations for its employees. HEALTH CARE MANDATES The Chamber opposes new health insurance mandates and liabilities that will undermine an employer’s ability to provide quality health insurance at a reasonable cost to employees. The Chamber further opposes new mandates being placed on physicians, hospitals and providers that will increase the cost of providing quality health care in Oklahoma.
As the state continues to improve health outcomes and modernize payment models to incentivize value within the state’s Medicaid system, the Chamber supports implementation of the state’s Medicaid Managed Care Model. We further believe this model is the most effective means to address the state’s total health care needs on a systemwide basis. The Chamber supports protecting the current Medicaid supplemental payments or equivalent programs to our state’s medical schools and their hospital partners to ensure uninterrupted funding for medical education and the other unique services each provide. INSURE OKLAHOMA The Chamber supports continued efforts to protect, preserve and further improve Employer Sponsored Insurance (ESI) offered under the state’s Insure Oklahoma program. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT The Chamber supports efforts to foster an environment that is conducive to further research and will oppose efforts to unreasonably restrict the continued development of the state’s bioscience and research programs.
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SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE The Chamber supports improving health care quality, access and affordability without imposing new mandates and/or taxes on business. Therefore, the Chamber opposes a single-payer government-run/public option or health care system with excessive government mandates. PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE The Chamber opposes a state-mandated and/or state-run paid family and medical leave program of any kind imposed on Oklahoma employers. NETWORK PROTECTION The Chamber opposes legislation, restrictions, regulations and taxes which would eliminate the incentive for medical providers to contract with managed care networks and, as a result, potentially frustrate efforts at cost and quality control and ultimately deny consumers the benefits of cost-reducing arrangements with providers. The Chamber further opposes legislation that would interfere with an employer’s ability to offer affordable health benefits due to a reduced ability to control benefit plans relating to prescription drugs. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INSURANCE SECURITY ACT (ERISA) PROTECTIONS The Chamber opposes legislative efforts to undermine federal ERISA protections. MEDICAL EDUCATION FUNDING The Chamber supports maintaining physician training funding for the state’s two largest medical schools in the base budgets of the University Hospitals Authority and Oklahoma State University Medical Authority.
PHYSICIAN AND NURSING SHORTAGE/RURAL AND UNDERSERVED ACCESS The Chamber supports the following initiatives to address health care disparities: 1) incentivizing the recruitment and retention of primary care physicians, specialty physicians, mental health professionals and allied health professionals in rural, underserved and other areas; 2) expanding residency programs for the state’s medical schools; and 3) strengthening the health care workforce by expanding programs that train medical professionals. The Chamber supports efforts to identify new public funding streams dedicated to these initiatives. The Chamber also supports the appropriate expansion of existing technology platforms, such as telemedicine and telehealth, and data platforms to enhance access to health care for Oklahomans.
The Chamber supports Oklahoma’s participation in medical compacts to improve access to high-quality health care.
TOBACCO SETTLEMENT ENDOWMENT TRUST (TSET) The Chamber supports the constitutional provisions of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) to support the public health of Oklahomans. APPROPRIATIONS SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS The Chamber supports adequate state funding for community health centers to provide quality health care to underserved Oklahomans, prevent cost shifting to other entities and maintain a healthy workforce for Oklahoma’s employers. HEALTH CARE FUNDING The Chamber supports protecting existing public health care revenue streams and opposes cuts to the state Medicaid budget that would increase the burden of uncompensated care and shift costs to employers and health care providers.
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FEDERAL ISSUES SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE The Chamber supports improving health care quality, access and affordability without imposing new mandates and/or taxes on business. Therefore, the Chamber opposes a single-payer government-run/public option or health care system with excessive government mandates. EMPLOYER-DRIVEN MARKET REFORMS The Chamber believes that employers drive innovation in health benefits and supports market-driven health reforms as the best approach to reducing costs while promoting market stability, efficiency, wellness and quality of care. MEDICAID CUTS The Chamber opposes Medicaid cuts that would place increased pressure on reimbursement rates, negatively impact the adequate delivery of critical services to the most vulnerable, exacerbate an already high administrative burden for health care businesses and shift the increased burden of uncompensated care to employers and health care providers RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT The Chamber supports efforts to foster a federal policy environment that is conducive to further research and will oppose efforts to unreasonably restrict the continued development of national bioscience and research programs.
The Chamber further supports a stable funding and tax structure for the health care industry to promote optimal care delivery and innovation. CHILD CARE The Chamber supports targeted policies designed to increase availability of non-mandated, high-quality childcare options to help generate increased workforce development. WELLNESS INITIATIVES The Chamber supports the following state and local initiatives, including wellness, disease prevention and care programs, that serve to improve the physical, behavioral and mental health of Oklahoma citizens: tobacco prevention programs; efforts to mitigate the harmful health effects of e-cigarettes/vaping; public outreach initiatives; efforts to address health disparities; and workplace and school-based wellness initiatives, including health education and healthy eating programs. PREVENTION OF DISEASE The Chamber recognizes the detrimental impact of chronic and communicable diseases (including substance use disorder) on the quality of life for Oklahoma’s residents and the severe economic costs they impose on health care providers and employers. Therefore, the Chamber will support efforts by the state’s elected officials, medical research and public health communities to develop avenues to successfully prevent and combat congenital, chronic, pandemic and communicable diseases. CLEAN INDOOR AIR The Chamber supports legislation to make all indoor areas smoke free as well as legislation to remove smokers, on a non- medical basis, as a protected class in state employment law.
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STATE ISSUES 2024 TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES
MAJOR PROJECTS The Chamber supports a continued focus on improvements, mobility and traffic management on the urban Oklahoma City interstate system (I-35, I-44, I-40, I-235) to promote economic development and, therefore, will advocate for full funding and timely completion of work on the following major interchanges/ projects: • I-240/I-35 (Crossroads Interchange). • Major I-35 corridor improvements from 63rd Street NE/I- 44 Interchange north to Waterloo Road, to include the Turner Turnpike Interchange. • I-44/I-40 (K Interchange/Near State Fairgrounds) West to MacArthur on I-40 • In support of U.S. Air Force mission critical growth and expansion objectives at Tinker Air Force Base, necessary improvements including increased access at Douglas Boulevard, and expansion of I-40 facility to six lanes from Douglas Boulevard to Shawnee. • I-35/I-40 Dallas Junction and I-35 (including Oklahoma River bridges) • Future development of I-44 corridor from I-40 to SH-62, including SH 152/Airport Road, (southwest OKC to Newcastle) to better provide for future mobility needs due to ongoing commercial expansion. • I-35 corridor assessment to address growth on I-35 from the Red River north to the Oklahoma River REGIONAL FOCUS The Chamber supports the ODOT/OTA regional transportation focus with the strategic objective of identifying, maximizing, preserving and protecting existing transportation assets. The
Chamber further supports this study’s ultimate strategic goal to create additional transportation capacity to protect and maximize the integrity of the entire regional transportation system to meet the continued dynamic population growth trends and resulting increased traffic loads in our region. STATE TURNPIKE PLAN The Chamber supports the 15-year, $5 billion Advancing and Connecting Communities and Economies Safely Statewide (ACCESS) Oklahoma Plan to develop a highly effective and viable state turnpike system, including construction of new access points at appropriate locations across Oklahoma to enhance safety and access, and promote economic development. As part of this long-range plan, the Chamber specifically supports improvements to the following existing high-speed facilities: • Widening the Turner Turnpike, as an innovation corridor, to six lanes connecting Oklahoma City to Tulsa, the state’s two largest population centers. • John Kilpatrick Turnpike widening from I-40 to I-35. As well as construction of the following new alignment high- speed expressway facilities in the Oklahoma City region and associated improvements: • Outer Loop: East West Connector, expanding mobility of south Oklahoma City. • Outer Loop: Tri-City Connector, to increase access and offer alternative routes from I-40 to I-44 and, ultimately, I-35. • South Extension: End connector south to I-35 south of Norman.
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The Chamber supports the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s (OTA) conversion to a cashless toll system that will serve to enhance safety, increase travel time reliability, allow passage of high/wide loads and create additional interchanges such as I-44/Wellston, OK; I-44/Amber, OK; and John Kilpatrick Turnpike/County Line Road to access communities and generate economic development. ODOT EIGHT-YEAR PLAN The Chamber supports providing adequate annual dedicated funding necessary to preserve and implement the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s eight-year construction work plan. Furthermore, the Chamber will strongly oppose any effort to divert dedicated transportation funding to other areas of government. ROADS FUND The Chamber supports raising the cap on the Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety (ROADS) Fund, the key funding mechanism for ODOT’s Eight-Year Plan, to combat ongoing inflation and reduced purchasing power for materials, manpower and maintenance. NATIONALLY RANKED BRIDGE PROGRAM The Chamber supports providing adequate annual dedicated funding for ODOT to maintain continued investment toward addressing Oklahoma’s structurally deficient bridges on the state’s highway system and further enable ODOT to maintain a nationally leading bridge improvement program. SUSTAINABLE FUNDING To address the declining transportation revenues associated with fuel tax, the Chamber supports the research and development of sustainable and equitable funding alternatives, including concepts of a Fair Miles Pilot, as envisioned by House Bill 1712, tailored to Oklahoma’s future needs, in support of transportation infrastructure. INFRASTRUCTURE TAX The Chamber opposes legislation to place disproportionate taxes or unnecessary regulations on infrastructure/materials/ construction that would have a negative impact on Chamber- supported transportation projects and economic development. U.S. 412 INTERSTATE DESIGNATION The Chamber supports the recent federal designation of U.S. Route 412 as a federal interstate highway to foster increased safety, economic development and connectivity across Oklahoma. Developing U.S. 412 to interstate standards will enhance travel and commerce to the Oklahoma City region through improved links with Interstate 35.
PORTS OF ENTRY The Chamber supports providing adequate annual dedicated funding and staffing levels for the timely completion and effective use of weigh stations at Oklahoma’s ports of entry to ensure the protection of Oklahoma’s roads and bridges from unnecessary damage caused by overweight freight loads. STATE TRANSIT FUNDING The Chamber supports protecting state revenues allocated into the State of Oklahoma’s Public Transit Revolving Fund to meet citizen demand for public transit. The Chamber supports the continued implementation of ODOT’s Long Range Transit Plan through the Office of Mobility and Public Transit. HEARTLAND FLYER The Chamber supports protecting and expanding passenger rail service as an important transportation option for both rural and urban Oklahomans. The Chamber will work with the Oklahoma congressional delegation, the Oklahoma state Legislature, ODOT, Amtrak, the City of Oklahoma City, Class 1 Railroads and the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) to oppose efforts to reduce or eliminate state or federal funding received by Oklahoma to operate the Heartland Flyer Amtrak service to Fort Worth, Texas. Moreover, the Chamber supports ongoing efforts by ODOT to negotiate with the State of Texas and Amtrak to ensure Amtrak can be maintained as the passenger rail carrier. The Chamber is taking active steps with our partners to pursue the objective of extending the Heartland Flyer Amtrak service to Newton, Kansas, which would connect Oklahoma City to Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago and other locations on the national Amtrak system. Furthermore, the Chamber supports the designation of the entire Heartland Flyer line (Fort Worth – Oklahoma City – Newton – National Network) as a national Amtrak route within the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Rail Administration’s specific “Corridor Identification
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and tourism in the Horizons District, Boathouse District, the Chickasaw Nation’s First Americans Museum/OKANA resort, as well as enhance connectivity across the river. MASS TRANSIT/COMMUTER RAIL The Chamber supports implementation of transit programs that will best serve central Oklahoma including the Central Oklahoma Transit and Parking Authority (COTPA) 2005 Fixed Guideway Transit Study and its following component: • The updated plan of alternatives for high-capacity transit conducted by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). The Chamber further supports efforts by the RTA, consisting of core central Oklahoma cities/population centers, to launch future regional transit services. The Chamber will work with the RTA, Oklahoma state Legislature, COTPA, municipal governments, ODOT and Class 1 railroads to conduct early-stage planning for introducing commuter rail service into downtown Oklahoma City from Norman and Edmond with potential alternative transportation options to Tinker AFB. Further planning consideration should be given to the potential future expansion of rail service to Will Rogers World Airport, with benefits for downtown access/convention center opportunities, and Yukon. INTERMODAL HUB The Chamber will work with the City of Oklahoma City (COTPA), the Class 1 railroads, ODOT, the Oklahoma state Legislature and ACOG to ensure the continued viability of the intermodal hub at the Santa Fe station that will effectively integrate various modes of transportation (including OKC Streetcar, Amtrak, bus, inter- city bus, future bus rapid transit and future commuter rail) and enhance economic development opportunities. The Chamber supports efforts to work with stakeholders to maximize alignment and development of future locally preferred alternatives for mass transportation. STREET IMPROVEMENTS The Chamber supports consideration and pursuit of all available funds for ongoing and future street improvements. OKC STREETCAR The Chamber supports efforts to ensure the continued viability of the Oklahoma City Streetcar system. BUS SERVICE The Chamber supports greater frequency, expanded routes and expanded service hours for bus routes. The Chamber further encourages regional dialogue on providing enhanced bus service.
Program.” This designation would serve to assist with the federal/ state burden/cost-sharing and would strategically address a significant gap in the national Amtrak system. INTERSTATE COMMERCE The Chamber opposes legislation to limit the ability of Class 1 and short line railroads to conduct interstate commerce. The Chamber supports the development of technology and effective transportation strategies to increase the safety and efficiency of interstate commerce. For example, the Chamber supports existing state law allowing for the platooning of semi- trucks. AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES The Chamber supports the creation of a regulatory environment that makes Oklahoma a leader in safely using autonomous vehicles and does so without restricting their deployment and further innovation. ODOT RAIL PLANS The Chamber supports implementation of the Oklahoma State Rail Plan and Oklahoma Freight Transportation Plan developed by ODOT. SEAT BELT LAW TO PROTECT CHILDHOOD SAFETY As the only U.S. state lacking such a sensible law, the Chamber supports passage of legislation to require those 8-17 years of age to wear seat belts while being transported in the back seat. MUNICIPAL ISSUES OKLAHOMA RIVER BRIDGES The Chamber supports construction of iconic bridges on Interstate 35 across the Oklahoma River. Replacing existing river bridges with landmark bridges would showcase Oklahoma City at the confluence of two major U.S. interstate highways (Interstates 35/40) and facilitate increased sporting events
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BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT) The Chamber supports implementing bus rapid transit on key routes in Oklahoma City tied to the 2005 Fixed Guideway Transit Study and updates to that study, and the implementation of future MAPS 4 route updates. PARKING The Chamber supports continued construction of additional parking and viable park and ride locations, as appropriate on a case-by-case basis, to allow continued economic development downtown. ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION The Chamber supports increased construction of sidewalks, trails and bike lanes. In addition, the Chamber supports proper implementation and consideration of bike shares, car shares, scooter shares and future technologies on a case-by-case basis. FEDERAL ISSUES SURFACE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING The Chamber ultimately supports adequate funding for annual reauthorization of the federal surface transportation program, with continuation of a responsible formula allocation to the states. The Chamber will work with the Oklahoma congressional delegation and ODOT to secure a permanent funding solution for the Federal Highway Trust Fund (including mass transit programs).
delegation, ODOT, ACOG, the City of Oklahoma City, the private sector and additional partners to take necessary proactive steps to ensure the Greater Oklahoma City region is not designated as being in nonattainment of federal air quality standards. NATIONAL AIR QUALITY STANDARDS Ground-level ozone concentrations in the OKC area have been high, and the region runs a significant risk of violating federal air quality standards (National Ambient Air Quality Standards – NAAQS). Therefore, the Chamber supports maintaining NAAQS at their current level and will oppose any efforts to make them more stringent, which could result in severe negative economic impacts in our region. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS The Chamber is opposed to federal regulatory efforts seeking to create a new state-level Greenhouse Gas (GHG) performance management measurement on the National Highway System (NHS). Additionally, the Chamber is opposed to requiring ODOT to set their own declining targets from on-road GHG emissions occurring on the NHS. The Chamber will work with ODOT and the Oklahoma congressional delegation to advocate against these burdensome requirements that would present severe compliance challenges, resulting in a potential loss of federal transportation funding. NATIONAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE FORMULA PROGRAM (NEVI) The Chamber supports ODOT’s efforts to enhance Oklahoma’s existing EV charging network through partnerships with local stakeholders and the private sector. WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES The Chamber supports the May 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Sackett vs. EPA which limited the scope of the proposed expansive federal “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule to streams, oceans, rivers, lakes, and the wetlands that are virtually indistinguishable from them. Therefore, the Chamber opposes renewed efforts by the EPA to vaguely define the WOTUS rule in ways that are not traditionally regulated under the Clean Water Act. Such an overly broad definition of navigable waters poses serious economic and regulatory complications for: providing the materials needed to build and modernize our country’s infrastructure in an environmentally friendly manner; uses of water in energy exploration; a wide range of agricultural activities; and many other negative impacts. FREIGHT RAIL REGULATION The Chamber opposes any effort by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to impose additional economic or operational regulation on freight rail operators.
The Chamber supports adequate funding levels to properly maintain the national transportation system.
FEDERAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANTS The Chamber supports continued funding for the following federal grant programs, including, but not limited to, BIP, MEGA, SMALL STARTS, NEW STARTS, INFRA, RAISE, bus, and bus facilities grants. MIKE MONRONEY CENTER (FAA)/ASSOCIATED FEDERAL AGENCIES The Chamber supports the continued viability of the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center as a strategically important national asset for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and further supports the continuation of its other essential federal government activities in the state.
CLEAN AIR NONATTAINMENT The Chamber will work with the Oklahoma congressional
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HOW WE DETERMINE OUR PRIORITIES
As the voice of the Oklahoma City business community, the Chamber advocates for pro-business legislation at the Capitol during each legislative session. Prior to the session each year, the Chamber creates its legislative agenda. The Chamber works collaboratively with its partners to promote a strong future for Oklahoma businesses. The intensive process of determining
which priorities will be on the agenda in any given year begins nearly six months in advance and involves input from hundreds of local businesses and government stakeholders.
The following is a visual representation of the Chamber’s process of identifying its annual legislative priorities.
ANNUAL BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION INTERVIEWS WITH 300+ COMPANIES
CONVERSATIONS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND STAKEHOLDERS
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
EDUCATION STEERING COMMITTEE
HEALTHCARE COMMITTEE
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS STEERING COMMITTEE
CHAMBER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AGENDA RELEASED
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It is critical for the business community to support candidates and elected officials who will advance pro-business legislation at the Capitol. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s Government Relations division uses information prepared by the statewide Research Institute for Economic Development (RIED) to identify elected officials’ votes on issues important OKLAHOMA STATE LEGISLATURE PRO-BUSINESS SCORECARDS
to the business community. Alongside the RIED scores, the Chamber also assigns a score based on economic development issues included in the Chamber’s public policy agenda that are important to the prosperity of our region and state. In 2023, the Chamber tracked votes on key pro-business legislation and assigned a score to legislators based on their support for these measures. A selection of the key bills the Chamber scored last session were: Tourism Development Act (SB 14X); SQ 7781 Formula (SB 844); Film Workforce (HB 2459); Targeted Workforce Funding (SB 28X); and Healthcare Safety (HB 2154). See all scoring criteria at okcchamber.com/scorecard. The following charts represent the voting records for the State House and Senate members based on the issues identified by the Chamber and RIED for 2023. RIED scores for previous years can be found at www.riedreport.com.
DISCLAIMER : All data in these charts are obtained from legislative, government and private sector sources. The data, information and estimations herein are not warranted as to accuracy and are presented as is and without warranty either expressed or implied. The purpose of this material is to inform. Further, the material is not intended to be and does not constitute an endorsement of any kind or as an official source. Interested persons should formulate their own opinions relative to the data, information and estimations herein or to any information related thereto. OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE
2023 RIED
2023 RIED
2023 OKC
2023 OKC
SENATOR
SENATOR
PARTY DIST.
PARTY DIST.
Alvord, Jerry
R R D
14 100% 100%
Matthews, Kevin McCortney, Greg Montgomery, John Murdock, Casey Newhouse, Joe Paxton, Lonnie Pederson, Roland Pemberton, Dewayne
D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
11
58% 66% 56% 90% 100% 100% 100% 73% 81% 66% 88% 90%
Bergstrom, Micheal
1
NS 48%
13
Boren, Mary
16 58% 90%
32 27 25 23
Brooks, Michael Bullard, David Burns, George Coleman, Bill Dahm, Nathan Daniels, Julie Dossett, Jo Anna
D 44 58% 73%
R R R R R D R
6 100% 90%
5
83% 90%
10 100% 100%
19 88% 90% 9 100% 100% 34 100% 90%
33
NS 48%
29 100% 100%
Prieto, Dana Pugh, Adam Rader, Dave Rogers, Cody Rosino, Paul Seifried, Ally
35
58% 90% 100% 100%
41
100% 100%
Dugger, Tom Floyd, Kay
21
39 83% 100%
D 46 58% 80%
37 45
100% 73% 79% 100% 100% 100% 80% 73% 42% 100% 100% 100%
Garvin, Jessica Gollihare, Todd Green, Grant Hall, Chuck Hamilton, Warren
R R R R R R
43
100% 100% 100% 100%
12
2
28 100% 100% 20 79% 100%
Standridge, Rob Stanley, Brenda Stephens, Blake
15
42
7
81% 63%
3
Haste, John Hicks, Carri
36 100% 100%
Stewart, Jack
18 88% 90%
D 40 52% 80%
Thompson, Kristen Thompson, Roger
22
100% 100%
Howard, Brent
R R R R
38 67% 83% 26 100% 100%
8 100% 100%
Jech, Darcy Jett, Shane Kidd, Chris
Treat, Greg
47
100% 100%
17 31
71% 53% 100% 100%
Weaver, Darrell Woods, Tom Young, George
24 100% 100%
4
100% 100%
Kirt, Julia
D 30 52% 73%
D 48 58% 80%
* For RIED Scores, NS denotes “Not Scoring” for missing half the votes.
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