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(405) 677-8711 arvest.com/loans 2018 Public Policy Guide 2018 Public Policy 2 Member FDIC TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the Chair .....................page 4 Government Relations Staff ...............page 5 Greater OKC Chamber PAC ...............page 6 2018 Public Policy Priorities ............... page 7 Pro-Business Scorecard ................... page 16 Elected Officials Directory ............... page 18 Chamber Leadership ........................ page 42 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS BENEFACTORS 2018 Public Policy Guide 2018 Public Policy GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SPONSORS Enable Midstream Partners Google, Inc. 3 Message from the Chair For more than 125 years, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber has served as the voice of business in the Oklahoma City region. It is a responsibility that we take very seriously, and as the State of Oklahoma faces tough budgeting decisions, it is a role that is more important than ever. As we begin the legislative session, the Chamber’s voice – and the participation of its members in the political process – is crucial to our success. The decisions made at the State Capitol this year on important topics like education funding, health care and transportation will set the course for our city and state for years to come. The document you have in your hands is a playbook for the important topics our elected officials will debate this year, issues that will impact Oklahoma City’s economy and the success of its companies. Please take a moment to read the RHONDA legislative priorities found in the 2018 Public Policy Guide HOOPER and make your opinions known to the elected officials that Chair, Greater represent you. Oklahoma City Chamber By making a phone call, sending a letter or scheduling a meeting, you will directly impact the legislative process and Jordan Advertising help maintain Oklahoma City’s positive business climate. To keep Oklahoma City’s momentum and positive growth, we have to work together. The Chamber is committed to working with elected officials to find positive solutions to our state’s challenges. As a member of the business and civic community of Oklahoma City, we encourage you to do your part by remaining engaged in the political process in 2018. 2018 Public Policy Guide 2018 Public Policy 4 Be a Business Advocate. Business Advocacy Center The Chamber’s Business Advocacy Center, www.OKCBusinessAdvocate.com, makes having a voice at the Capitol simple. With just a few simple clicks, you can identify your elected officials and communicate with them, ensuring you have an impact on the decisions of our state’s leaders. You can also stay up-to-date during the legislative session by signing up for The Business Advocate, the Chamber’s newsletter solely focused on what’s happening at the Capitol during the legislative session. Together, we can build a stronger business climate for the Greater Oklahoma City area. Contact the Government Relations Team Throughout the year, the Chamber’s team works to ensure that Greater Oklahoma City is moving forward and growing stronger. From promoting pro-business policies at the Capitol to economic development, the Chamber is the voice of business in Greater Oklahoma City. The Chamber staff is always available to assist your business in any way possible. Roy H. Williams, CCE Michael Carrier President & CEO President, Oklahoma City Convention & 405.297.8939 Visitors Bureau [email protected] 405.297.8963 [email protected] Drew Dugan, CCE Mark VanLandingham Vice President, Education and Workforce Vice President, Government Relations Development 405.297.8925 405.297.8940 [email protected] [email protected] Kurt Foreman Vice President, Economic Development Derek Sparks 405.297.8945 Government Relations Manager [email protected] 405.297.8933 [email protected] Cynthia Reid Vice President, Marketing and Communications Sarah Barton 405.297.8942 Guide 2018 Public Policy Government Relations Executive [email protected] Assistant 405.297.8922 [email protected] 5 Greater Oklahoma City Chamber PAC A Unified Voice for Oklahoma City’s Businesses One of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s primary goals is to improve Oklahoma’s business climate and foster economic development. The Greater OKC Chamber Political Action Committee was formed to aggressively pursue the election and re-election of candidates who take a stand for Oklahoma City’s key economic development priorities. Since its founding in 2010, the Greater OKC Chamber PAC has strengthened the Chamber’s ability to advocate on behalf of the Oklahoma City business community by contributing $351,350 to help elect pro-business candidates. The Greater OKC Chamber PAC raised a record amount of $115,500 during the most recent 2015-2016 election cycle. Given the historically high number of open seats created by term limits and resignations, the Chamber PAC was able to invest the resources necessary to make a record number of contributions to pro-business candidates competing in races in every region of Oklahoma. The Chamber PAC contributed a total of $95,000 to pro-business candidates competing in the 2015 and 2016 elections. During that specific cycle, the Greater OKC Chamber PAC made 86 contributions to candidates in state legislative and local races. Of these 86 contributions, 81 were made to successful candidates, giving the Chamber PAC an impressive overall winning percentage of 94 percent. This success rate demonstrates the strong influence the Chamber PAC has in electing pro-business candidates across the state who will be more likely to support the Chamber’s public policy agenda. The Greater OKC Chamber PAC’s strongly unified voice has a proven track record in making a substantial impact on the political future of Oklahoma City and exists to allow every business the opportunity to voice its support for pro-business candidates. You can be a part of this effort – make a contribution to help the Chamber ensure a stronger economic climate by helping elect candidates who will support the Chamber’s public policy agenda at the state and local levels. 2018 Public Policy Guide 2018 Public Policy For more information about the Greater OKC Chamber PAC or to make a contribution, visit www.okcchamber.com/PAC or 6 contact Mark VanLandingham at [email protected] or 405-297-8925. 2018 Public Policy Priorities State Issues Workers’ Comp Reform The Chamber supports defending and improving the comprehensive workers’ compensation reform legislation passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Mary Fallin during the 2013 session. Economic Development Programs The Chamber supports retaining the state’s premier economic/community development programs which are critical in attracting new businesses to the state, assisting the expansion of existing companies and encouraging investment in communities across the state. Following are the key programs the Chamber will work to protect: • Quality Jobs Act (QJA), 21st Century QJA, Small Employer QJA and the Prime Contractor QJA • Aerospace Engineer Tax Credit • Investment/New Jobs Tax Credit Emissions Tax Credit to be claimed only as a credit and not as a refund. • Historical Building Rehabilitation Tax Credit Incentive Evaluation Commission • Freeport (Inventory) Exemption The Chamber supports the Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission, which was established • Five-year ad valorem abatement and sales to make recommendations to the Legislature and tax exemption for manufacturing facilities governor on which incentive programs are serving • Oklahoma Regional Home Office Insurance their intended purpose and creating economic/ Premium Tax Credit community development. If an incentive program cannot show a positive return to the state, it should In 2018, the Chamber will support extending and be scaled back or repealed. improving the Oklahoma Quality Events Act. Gun Legislation Wind Subsidies The Chamber supports the Second Amendment The Chamber supports ending the Manufacturer’s to the U.S. Constitution and responsible expansion Sales Tax Exemption for new wind facilities. of gun owner’s rights. However, the Chamber The Chamber also supports requiring the Zero- will oppose legislation to allow open/concealed carry of guns into high-economic impact events, including horse shows, NCAA and Big XII sporting events (including the Women’s College World Series, college baseball at Bricktown Ballpark, and NCAA and Big XII basketball tournaments Guide 2018 Public Policy at Chesapeake Energy Arena/Cox Center), the Oklahoma State Fair, Olympic-qualifying events on the Oklahoma River and high school basketball and wrestling tournaments at the State Fairgrounds. 7 The Chamber will also oppose legislation that would allow guns to be carried on college campuses or limit a business owner’s rights to prohibit weapons. The Chamber will 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, protecting