TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR 6 2026 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
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PRO-BUSINESS SCORECARD
28 FEDERAL OFFICIALS
30 GREATER OKC CHAMBER PAC
OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE
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52 CHAMBER
OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS
LEADERSHIP
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS BENEFACTORS
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
As we enter 2026, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber remains focused on advancing policies that strengthen our region’s long term competitiveness, economic vitality, and quality of life. The Public Policy Guide that follows outlines the priorities we believe are essential to sustaining growth, attracting investment, and ensuring opportunity for all who live and work in central Oklahoma. Our top priorities reflect both immediate needs and long range outcomes. Educational success remains foundational to workforce readiness and economic prosperity. We will continue to advocate for policies that improve reading, math, and overall academic performance, supported by better alignment and accountability across the system, including the use of a statewide longitudinal data system to track outcomes and inform decision making. Transportation infrastructure is equally critical to our region’s future. As population and employment continue to grow, we must invest in a modern transportation network that expands roadway capacity, strengthens public transit, and integrates multimodal options. Efficient and safe movement of people and goods is essential to business competitiveness and regional connectivity. We also recognize the importance of addressing complex community challenges that directly affect economic participation. Improving mental health outcomes, expanding access to attainable housing, and reducing homelessness require coordinated solutions across government and community partners. Progress in these areas supports a healthier workforce and stronger neighborhoods. Finally, effective and accountable government remains a priority. We will advocate for county government reforms that improve efficiency and transparency, alongside the construction of a modern jail designed to reduce recidivism, streamline court operations, and support successful reentry into the workforce. The success of this agenda depends on active engagement from our members. We encourage you to stay informed, share your perspective, and build relationships with elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels. Your voice strengthens our collective advocacy and ensures that the business community remains a trusted partner in shaping public policy. Together, we can continue to position the Oklahoma City region for sustained growth, resilience, and opportunity in 2026 and beyond.
MIKE ROSS Chair, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber President, American Fidelity Corporation
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BE A BUSINESS ADVOCATE BUSINESS ADVOCACY CENTER The Chamber’s Business Advocacy Center located at
OKCBusinessAdvocate.com makes staying informed on state, federal and local political developments simple. The Chamber government relations team produces an edition of the “Business Advocate NOW” newsletter weekly during the legislative session (Feb-May) and every two or three weeks the rest of the year. With just a few clicks, you can stay current on important political and policy developments at the local, state and federal levels. We encourage you to sign up to receive the Business Advocate.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TEAM The Chamber’s Government Relations Team has combined decades of experience in political and local advocacy, and is laser focused on ensuring the Oklahoma City region continues to grow. These individuals advocate at all levels of government to achieve our public policy priorities and ensure your business has a voice whether at the State Capitol, the halls of Congress, or City Hall.
Christy Gillenwater President & CEO (405) 297-8939 cgillenwater@okcchamber.com
Mike Jackson Sr. Vice President, Government and Community Relations (405) 297-8925 mikejackson@okcchamber.com
Mark Ruedy Manager, Government Relations (405) 297-8933 mruedy@okcchamber.com
Rhonda Baker Director of Education (405) 297-8990 rbaker@okcchamber.com
Sara Lynn Sadorra Director of Local Government and Community Engagement (405) 297-8940 ssadorra@okcchamber.com
Ryan Scrivens Executive Assistant, Government and Community Relations (405) 297-8922 rscrivens@okcchamber.com
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2026 TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES Advance policies that strengthen reading, math, and overall academic performance, supported by continuous monitoring through a comprehensive data system. TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES Advance investment in a modern transportation system that keeps pace with regional growth. This includes expanding roadway capacity, strengthening public transit options, and integrating multimodal infrastructure to ensure residents and businesses can move efficiently and safely throughout the region. IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES AND EXPAND ATTAINABLE HOUSING Collaborate with the State of Oklahoma and regional partners to strengthen mental health outcomes and reduce homelessness through expanded access to services and attainable housing solutions. COUNTY GOVERNMENT REFORM AND NEW JAIL CONSTRUCTION Advance reforms that strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of county government, while constructing a modern jail that reduces recidivism, streamlines court operations, and expands opportunities for justice-involved individuals to successfully reenter the workforce.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES
TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES
HEALTHCARE AND LIFE SCIENCES PRIORITIES
EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES
• ROADS Fund/ Regional Infrastructure Development
• Develop Statewide Solutions to Funding Losses in Medicaid
• Increasing Learning Capacities of Oklahoma Students • Statewide Longitudinal Data System • Accountability of Oklahoma State Department of Education
• County Government Reform
• Work Zone Safety
• Protecting Critical Infrastructure
• Research and Development
• Heartland Flyer
• Improve Workplace Safety/Mental Health • Attainable Housing for Families • Protecting and Improving Incentive Programs
• Protecting Networks/Opposing Mandates
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BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COUNTY GOVERNMENT REFORM The Chamber supports empowering Oklahoma counties to alter their form of government to meet their unique needs. ELECTIONS The Chamber will oppose legislation that would remove flexibility from the election calendar by forcing local elections to be held on specific days, such as during the primary or general elections. GOVERNMENT REGULATION The Chamber supports an energy environment that strengthens Oklahoma’s economic competitiveness. The Chamber opposes any state regulations on private food manufacturers, grocers, and retailers that go beyond federal requirements. Uniform national standards are essential to ensuring consistency, economic and supply chain efficiency, and regulatory clarity across the food industry. WORKERS’ COMP REFORM The Chamber supports defending and improving the comprehensive workers’ compensation reform legislation enacted during the 2013 session. LEGAL REFORM The Chamber supports reasonable civil lawsuit reform to keep excessive liability costs from detracting from economic development. 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 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
• 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 • Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act
The Chamber supports enacting meaningful strategic and structural reforms to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to ensure this key state partner agency is positioned to successfully: 1) market our state on a global and national scale; 2) recruit companies into the state; and 3) support the growth of existing companies. The Chamber supports identifying funding streams for infrastructure and site control/development to enable the successful recruitment of high-economic impact projects.
The Chamber supports establishing “regionally focused” economic development finance tools and structures.
The Chamber supports the creation of incentives that bolster research and development efforts, catalyze early-stage capital deployment, and provide the ability for key talent recruitment and retention in our market.
The Chamber will support efforts to reinstate the Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Homes and oppose efforts to amend the state’s
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Low Income Housing Tax Credit in a way that would deter investment in affordable housing.
hubs, and healthcare institutions—is essential to public safety, economic stability, and national security. The increasing accessibility and sophistication of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, present new and evolving risks to these assets. Unauthorized drone activity can disrupt operations, compromise security, endanger personnel, and expose sensitive information. To address these emerging threats, the Chamber supports the development and enforcement of comprehensive federal, state and local policies to prevent, detect, and respond to unauthorized drone intrusions over critical infrastructure. LEGAL REFORM The Chamber supports placing a reasonable cap on non- economic damages in personal injury lawsuits. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY/TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY The Chamber supports the development of Advanced Air Mobility/Transportation Technology 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 (IEC), 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. The Chamber supports re-positioning and broadening the mission of the IEC to require a thorough review be conducted of incentive programs offered by other states. The purpose of this review would be to learn “best practices” to ensure Oklahoma is offering the most effective, up-to-date, and innovative incentives possible. 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. WORKPLACE SAFETY The Chamber recognizes that workplace violence - particularly in high-risk sectors such as healthcare, energy, education, retail
The Chamber will support incentives and other state support to maximize opportunities for public and private investment in research and development, including Oklahoma businesses participating in joint research with Oklahoma’s public research institutions. LOCAL REVENUE The Chamber supports the establishment of a reasonable excise tax on marijuana sales, with revenues dedicated to local governments to ensure sustainable community development, public safety, education and responsible regulation. TAX REFORM The Chamber supports reforming the tax code to better incentivize companies to locate, expand or 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 communication 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. CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE The Chamber recognizes that the protection of critical infrastructure—including energy facilities, education facilities, communication networks, water systems, transportation
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and other vital businesses - is a growing concern that threatens the safety, well-being, and productivity of workers. The Chamber supports legislation to protect these vital workers and ensure their safety. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS The Chamber supports legislation and policy to promote the effective use of Public Improvement Districts (PID) as an economic development tool. 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 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. HOMELESSNESS/ATTAINABLE HOUSING The Chamber supports data-driven, results-oriented state and local policies that address homelessness through coordinated systems of care and solutions targeting root causes such as mental health, housing access, criminal justice reform, and substance use. The Chamber also supports legislation that drives public and private investment in attainable, workforce, and mixed-income housing to promote growth and community reinvestment. The Chamber will also oppose policies that would make it more difficult for communities to address homelessness in their area. MENTAL HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE Enhancing mental health infrastructure is essential to improving workforce participation, reducing absenteeism, and lessening the economic and social costs of untreated mental illness and substance use disorders. The Chamber supports state and local efforts to strengthen Oklahoma’s behavioral health system by increasing the availability of treatment beds and expanding the network of qualified service providers. 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; 4) uncontrolled water use; and 5) impaired driving. 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 regional 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.
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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.
funds from using biotechnology equipment or services from a “biotechnology company of concern” that is designated by the federal government to be associated with a foreign adversary of the United States. PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLY CHAIN The Chamber supports legislation and policy to promote the domestic development and manufacturing of critical medicines, rather than having them concentrated in a foreign adversary such as China. The Chamber further supports using the CHIPS and Science Act (2022), which promotes the domestic production of semiconductor technology, as a model for the effort to ensure that Americans can drive technology and innovation in the production of pharmaceutical products and not be reliant on importing these products in the event of a global pandemic or other supply shortage.
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. Our nation’s long-term economic growth, innovation capacity, and global leadership depend on a legal immigration system that enables businesses of all sizes to recruit and retain the talent they need to thrive. SECURE AND FAIR ENFORCEMENT (SAFE) BANKING ACT The Chamber supports federal legislation allowing banks to provide financial services to marijuana businesses. BIOSECURE ACT The Chamber supports passage of legislation, the BIOSECURE Act (H.R. 8333), which prohibits entities that receive federal
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STATE ISSUES EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE
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, prenatal to five years old, and full funding of pre-K and kindergarten programs. Targeted spending on our youngest children is simply a smart investment. Enact legislation to establish a fully funded universal, high-quality full-day prekindergarten program for all four-year- old children across the state. Support for continued funding of the Oklahoma Strong Start Pilot Program. It is a three-year pilot program that provides subsidized childcare for employees working in the state’s licensed childcare system. This is an effective tool for teacher retention and recruitment in an industry that has “childcare deserts” due to a workforce shortage. Support and awareness of early literacy programs such as the Dolly Parton Imagination Library that provides a book a month to kids age 0-5. 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.
SAFEGUARDING CHILD NUTRITION The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber recognizes that
federal nutrition programs play a key role in keeping children in the Oklahoma City metro region 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. The Chamber supports using all available federal funding to support the health, mental health and wellbeing of our future workforce, using all available tools to ensure the academic success of our students. This includes ensuring the state administers the summer EBT programs to ensure students are fed. • This should include increasing the minimum number of instructional hours, currently 1,080 hours, required for a complete school year. In addition, we are supportive of extended summer learning opportunities and after school programs. We also support ongoing funding to enable schools to achieve targeted classroom sizes. • Amend existing school funding statutes to implement a new formula that significantly increases overall per-pupil spending and includes specific weighting factors for low-income students, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities. • Support for incentivizing the increase of instructional days to
school district calendars that choose to meet the regional average of 180 days through an additional funding formula weight.
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TEACHER PREPARATION, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
ADJUNCT, ALTERNATIVE AND EMERGENCY CERTIFIED TEACHERS The Chamber recognizes the need for adjunct, alternative and emergency certified teachers will increase. We support efforts to increase retention and make sure these teachers are as prepared as possible and as quickly as possible. We support: • 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. 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. • 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.
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 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 Teacher Pipeline program (in partnership with UCO, OCCC, Rose State and OSU-OKC), UCO’s Paraprofessional Residency to Educator Pathway (PREP) or other Registered Teacher Apprenticeship programs and partnerships, as well as UCO’s Urban Teacher Preparation Academy for early career teachers that provides progressional development and mentorship. This includes support of programs and resources for teacher preparation and students enrolled part-time and providing public funding streams to supplement private funding initiatives already in place. This could include changing current scholarship and incentive programs to allow support for students taking fewer than 12 hours per semester. • 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 reentry 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. • Supporting a teacher and administrative pay system which places it best in class in the region. • Funding and encouraging the use of merit pay systems, such as the Teacher Leader Pipeline. • Mandate and fund statewide induction and mentoring programs for all new K-12 educators, providing structured support from experienced mentors during their initial years of teaching.
STATEWIDE LONGITUDINAL DATA SYSTEM The chamber recognizes the need for a robust and
comprehensive Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) as a top priority for advancing education and economic outcomes across our state. The SLDS is essential to ensuring that data- driven decisions guide educational strategies, workforce readiness initiatives and policy development to empower stakeholders, including educational institutions, employers and policymakers, to make informed choices that improve the long- term success of our students and workers. To ensure the system operates effectively, strong data governance is vital. Oklahoma is the only state that DOES NOT have a longitudinal data system, thereby placing a disadvantage on our educational decision makers and stakeholders. Data governance provides the framework of policies, standards and roles to ensure data is used and protected in a responsible manner. Data governance includes data stewardship and ownership; data quality and integrity; data security and privacy; data access and sharing; policy and standards compliance; data lifecycle management and oversight.
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Consideration should also be given to the following: • Data integration and accessibility: the system must be able to integrate data from PK-12, CareerTech, Higher Education, workforce development and early learning systems and the data must be accessible to stakeholders to use while maintaining privacy and security standards. • Timeliness and Quality of Data: The system must ensure real-time or near-real-time data collection and analysis to respond quickly to emerging needs, such as labor market shifts or academic performance trends. The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability serves as the independent oversight and accountability agency for the Oklahoma State Department of Education and reports its findings to the Oklahoma State Legislature. The OSDE must provide data to OEQA within the maximum of ten days of a data request so that valuable educational decisions can be made. • Collaboration between groups: Cooperation between education, workforce and economic development sectors is critical. The system should facilitate collaboration between various state agencies, educational institutions and employers to create a comprehensive system that serves the broader goals of economic competitiveness and workforce alignment. • Sustainability and Funding: Sustainable funding is necessary to ensure the long-term operation, maintenance and upgrading of the system. • Workforce Alignment and Career Pathways: the system must be able to tie educational attainment to workforce outcomes, helping to align educational programming with the evolving needs of industry sectors. The ICAP must be prioritized as a tool administrators use with students. The proper time and effort must be given to help students understand the valuable data derived in this report. This will ensure students are prepared for high-demand careers and the state remains competitive in attracting businesses with a skilled workforce. INCREASING STUDENT LEARNING CAPACITY The Chamber supports providing additional and enhanced learning opportunities that utilize recognized best practices and extended learning opportunities to address student data from Pre-K to Higher Ed student learning loss. It is important to help students catch up by having more time on tasks, including longer school days and additional instructional days. In addition, we are supportive of extended summer learning opportunities and after school programs. A focus on research-based literacy and numeracy programs that work to enable students at all grade levels to improve reading proficiency and comprehension skills through training and additional funding is supported.
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. The Chamber supports the current law that ensures schools benefit fully from the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment. It is a robust tool for providing direction to schools, districts and communities to effectively improve the lives of students across a variety of issues. The OPNA is the basis for millions of dollars in federal and state funds that benefit multiple districts across the region. 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 under resourced 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 including buildings that are on par with public schools. • Establish a statewide framework for identifying, tracking, and intervening with chronically absent students, requiring districts to use data dashboards and implement evidence- based strategies. • Establish a detailed plan for 3rd grade retention initiatives that provide supports for students, teachers, and families. • Enact legislation requiring all K-12 Local Education Agencies (LEA’s) to adopt high-quality, evidence-based curriculum materials in core subjects (ELA, Mathematics, Science) from a state-approved list. • Amend statutes to explicitly require all K-8 public schools to implement core reading programs and instructional practices aligned with the “Science of Reading”. • Establish a statewide program to fund and support high- impact tutoring initiatives, particularly for students in grades 3-8 struggling with reading and math, to address learning loss. • Enact legislation that grants K-12 schools and districts broad flexibility to waive compliance with certain state statutes or administrative rules, provided that the waivers are tied to specific, measurable goals for improving student outcomes and are subject to periodic review and accountability.
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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. Further, we support ongoing strategic funding to schools and school programs that support the growing aerospace industry, the number two industry in the state, with 118 Oklahoma high schools that are implementing strong aerospace pathways for students. These schools, including the Oklahoma Aviation Academy in Norman, are well on their way to developing aerospace pathways that allow students to follow learning trajectories that will lead to rewarding careers in aerospace. Public school districts across the state are partnering with higher education, career tech, industry, airports and workforce development committees to ensure students have the opportunity to engage in high-level, STEM-focused curriculum and learning activities that transform the traditional educational environment. SCHOOL AND CAMPUS SAFETY The Chamber will oppose legislation to permit carrying of firearms at early childhood, pre-K-12, colleges and Career Tech facilities. We will oppose efforts to remove or replace the ability of Career Tech 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 AND WORK-BASED LEARNING The Chamber recognizes the excellent learning opportunities offered at our four-year universities, community colleges and Career Techs. 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 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, INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION 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 and staying abreast of future career readiness skills including artificial intelligence. • 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 collaboration and sharing of services, programs and instructors. • New partnerships between four-year institutions, Career Techs and community colleges that enable schools to share resources, staff and facilities. • Expanded programs that provide financial support and resources for Critical Occupation students enrolled part-time. • Continued support of the Scholars for Excellence Scholarship Program. This program, through the OSRHE, awards
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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 to enter college and complete a college degree. • We support the development of work-based learning opportunities, such as internships and apprenticeship programs. • The Chamber supports collaboration and partnerships with educational organizations and the business community when developing targeted legislation. The new Graduation Requirements legislation brought together all partners and should continue to be the standard moving forward. Education and business-related endeavors serve both Pre-K to Higher Ed student success along with the economic success of our state. ARTS AND ARTS EDUCATION The Chamber supports public funding for arts and arts education in schools as a means to spotlight our history and culture, attract tourism, bolster our local economy and elevate our brand throughout the region. The Chamber supports visual and performing arts in our schools as a means to nurture well-rounded individuals and help create a more engaging and dynamic learning environment. Research shows that such programs enhance critical thinking and problem-solving, boost academic performance and prepare students for a diverse range of careers. OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION The Chamber requires aligning the OSDE with the goals and priorities herein to best serve the educational needs of the state, as well as any available funding that supports child well- being. The Oklahoma State Department of Education is the state education agency charged with determining the policies and directing the administration and supervision of the public school system of Oklahoma. The State Board of Education is responsible for overseeing that these duties are completed. The restructuring of this board for increased accountability is supported. Adding two appointees from the House and two appointees from the Senate to the current appointee membership by the Governor will increase accountability and oversight for these functions taking place. Additionally, the Gubernatorial appointment of the State Superintendent along with corresponding approval/removal by the State Board of Education is supported.
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. scholarships to eligible childcare professionals to complete coursework in child development or early childhood education. This is a beneficial tool to enhance quality in the early childhood education system and to attract and retain early childhood educators, thus improving the workforce pipeline.
HIGHER EDUCATION – EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TAX CREDIT
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 Career Tech system is acknowledged as one of the top systems in the nation. Career Tech 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
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SAFEGUARDING CHILD NUTRITION The Chamber recognizes that nutrition programs play a key role in keeping children in the Oklahoma City region fed. The Chamber supports utilizing and funding programs that best feed the children of the Oklahoma City region. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN A CHILD’S EDUCATION The Chamber supports awareness efforts in promoting parental involvement in a child’s education as it increases academic achievement for youth by 40%. The support of literacy clinics to engage parents in understanding their child’s progress as well as quality of school based on NAEP data.
• Farm and Small Business Exemptions – The Chamber supports efforts to help students who are from families who are farmers or small business owners maximize their eligibility for federal financial support to pay for higher education. • Safeguarding Child Nutrition The Chamber recognizes that federal nutrition programs play a key role in keeping children in the Oklahoma City region 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. The Chamber supports using all available federal funding to support the health, mental health and wellbeing of our future workforce, using all available tools to ensure the academic success of our students. This includes ensuring the state administers the summer EBT programs to ensure students are fed.
FEDERAL ISSUES
HELPING STUDENTS PAY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION The Chamber recognizes that students need financial resources to complete postsecondary education. We support broad outreach and awareness of financial resources available to potential Oklahoma college students and young adults such as FAFSA, concurrent enrollment, Reach Higher, Oklahoma’s Promise and others: • 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. The Chamber supports efforts to ensure a timely, reliable and accessible application process for students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA), with a release date by October 1 each year increasing accessibility to financial support for student applicants; therefore, providing students and institutions time to effectively plan for financial aid, and in turn aligning associated data reporting. Delays in FAFSA processing and inadequate communication can hinder college access, which in turn negatively impacts workforce development. Ensuring timely financial aid decisions is critical to supporting students in pursuing postsecondary education and filling workforce needs in high- demand sectors. • Pell Grants and TRIO – The Chamber supports continued availability of Pell grants to help students pay for higher education and short-term Pell grants for students seeking credentials or other nondegree education/training. We also support federally funded TRIO grants that help disadvantaged individuals prepare for and succeed in higher education.
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TRANSPORTATION
MAJOR PROJECTS The Chamber supports a continued focus on improvements, mobility and traffic management, and freight movement 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 El Reno 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). REGIONAL FOCUS The Chamber supports the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT)/Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) regional transportation focus with the strategic objective of identifying, maximizing, preserving and protecting existing transportation assets. The Chamber further supports the • 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 investment to address growth and implement key improvements on I-35 from the Red River north to the Oklahoma River.
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. TURNPIKE AUTHORITY LONG-RANGE PLAN The Chamber supports the long-range 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, promote economic development and provide and protect adequate revenues to achieve these long- range objectives. As part of this long-range plan, the Chamber specifically supports improvements to the following existing high- speed facilities: As well as construction of the following new alignment high-speed expressway facilities in the Oklahoma City region and associated improvements: • 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, including turnpike improvements at County Line Road, Council Road, and SH-74/Lake Hefner Parkway to improve access, reduce congestion and generate economic development. • Outer Loop: East West Connector , expanding mobility of south Oklahoma City, including accelerating the connection from I-44 to I-35 which includes a new Canadian River Crossing better connecting Newcastle and Tuttle to I-35 between Moore and Norman.
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The Chamber supports the OTA’s efforts to enhance safety, increase travel time reliability, allow passage of high/wide loads and create additional interchanges such as I-44/Arcadia, OK; and I- 44/Amber, OK. • South Extension: End connector south to I-35 south of Norman which includes a new Canadian River Crossing between Noble and Purcell. • Outer Loop : Tri-City Connector, to increase access and offer alternative routes from I-40 to I-44 and, ultimately, I-35. OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EIGHT-YEAR PLAN The Chamber supports providing adequate annual dedicated funding necessary to preserve and implement ODOT’s eight- year plan that is a transformative method for continuously improving Oklahoma’s highways and bridges. We acknowledge the continued detrimental impact of inflation on the timely funding and completion of infrastructure projects included within the plan and, therefore, support strategies for identifying funding sources and solutions that will ensure it continues to be viable and as successful as it has been over the last two decades. Furthermore, the Chamber will strongly oppose any effort to divert dedicated transportation funding to other areas of government. ROADS FUND The Chamber supports continued high-level conversations on providing significant further increases to 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. SUSTAINABLE FUNDING To address the declining transportation revenues associated with fuel tax, the Chamber supports the innovative research and development of sustainable and growth-based funding alternatives tailored to Oklahoma’s future needs in support of transportation infrastructure. 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. 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 CONVERSION 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 to the weigh station revolving fund 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 and dedicating 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 Statewide Transit Policy Plan through the Office of Mobility and Public Transit. HEARTLAND FLYER PASSENGER RAIL The Chamber supports achieving long-term funding stability for passenger rail service, known as “The Heartland Flyer”, connecting Oklahoma City with Fort Worth, Texas. Our objective is to work with governmental partners to identify stable, long-term funding sources to mitigate scenarios where continued service is threatened by the current precarious and unsustainable year-to-year funding timetable. Furthermore, the Chamber supports continued efforts to aggressively pursue federal funding opportunities that, if awarded, would connect Oklahoma City to the national rail network via Newton, Kansas. The Chamber will continue to take active steps in partnership with Federal entities, the Oklahoma Legislature, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Congressional Delegation, specific communities, Texas, and Kansas to capitalize on opportunities emanating from Oklahoma’s selection as part of the “Corridor ID” program set forth in the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021). INTERSTATE COMMERCE The Chamber will oppose policies to limit the ability of Class 1 and short line railroads to conduct interstate commerce.
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