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GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER PUBLIC POLICY GUIDE 2019 WE’LL HELP YOUR BUSINESS THRIVE As a business owner, how do you know when you have the right banking relationship? Does your bank understand your business and help nd ways to grow your prots? At Arvest, you’ll understand that you are top priority right from the beginning, when our bankers get to know you personally and understand the details of your business. We’ll help nance your success and build the right solution to meet your very specic needs. Ready to help your business thrive? We are! (405) 677-8711 arvest.com Member FDIC TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the Chair .....................page 4 Government Relations Staff ...............page 5 2019 Public Policy Priorities ...............page 6 Pro-Business Scorecard ................... page 16 Greater OKC Chamber PAC ............. page 18 Elected Officials Directory ............... page 19 Chamber Leadership ........................ page 42 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS BENEFACTORS 2019 Public Policy Guide 2019 Public Policy GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SPONSORS Enable Midstream Partners Google, Inc. 3 Message from the Chair The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber takes pride in its role as the voice of business for the region, and one of the most important ways we fill that role is by participating in the political process. As we begin the legislative session, the Chamber’s voice is crucial to the region’s continued 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. The Chamber didn’t decide the issues on which it will engage in a vacuum. The priorities you have in your hand come from many hours of conversation, debate and consideration with hundreds of Chamber members and government stakeholders. We believe collaboration is key to keeping Oklahoma City’s momentum and positive growth, especially during the legislative session. 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 2019. Please read the 2019 Public Policy Guide and use the information inside to contact your elected officials and let your opinions be known. PERCY KIRK Chair, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Senior Vice President & Region Manager, Central 2019 Public Policy Guide 2019 Public Policy Region, Cox Communications 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 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 key developments 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] Jeff Seymour Vice President, Economic Development Derek Sparks 405.297.8991 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 2019 Public Policy Priorities State Issues Incentive Evaluation Commission The Chamber supports the Oklahoma Incentive County Government Reform Evaluation Commission, which was established The Chamber supports legislation and/or an to make recommendations to the legislature and Initiative Petition to empower Oklahoma counties governor on which incentive programs are serving to alter their form of governance to meet their their intended purpose and creating economic/ unique needs. community development. If an incentive program cannot show a positive return to the state, it should Workers’ Comp Reform be scaled back or repealed. The Chamber supports defending and improving the comprehensive workers’ compensation reform Gun Legislation legislation passed by the legislature and signed by The Chamber is fully supportive of the Second the governor during the 2013 session. Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the responsible expansion of gun-owner’s rights in Economic Development Programs Oklahoma. However, the Chamber will oppose The Chamber supports retaining the state’s legislation that would allow open/concealed premier economic/community development carry of guns into high-economic impact events, programs which are critical in attracting new including horse shows, the Oklahoma State Fair, businesses to the state, assisting existing Olympic-qualifying events on the Oklahoma River, companies expand and encouraging investment high school basketball and wrestling tournaments in communities across the state. Following are the at the State Fairgrounds and NCAA and Big XII key programs the Chamber will work to protect: sporting events (including the Women’s College World Series, college baseball at Bricktown • Quality Jobs Act, 21st Century QJA, Small Ballpark and NCAA and Big XII basketball Employer QJA and the Prime Contractor QJA tournaments). • Aerospace Engineer Tax Credit The Chamber will also oppose legislation that • Investment/New Jobs Tax Credit would allow guns to be carried on college campuses, limit a business owner’s rights to • Historical Building Rehabilitation Tax Credit prohibit weapons or allow guns to be carried by • Freeport (Inventory) Exemption individuals who haven’t been tested/trained and do not have a permit. • Five-year ad valorem abatement and sales tax exemption for manufacturing facilities The Chamber will lead and support the efforts of the Oklahomans for Business and Property • Oklahoma Regional Home Office Insurance Owners’ Rights coalition to defend against harmful Premium Tax Credit gun legislation. The Chamber will pursue legislation to enact or modify an incentive to address the statewide Criminal Justice/Sentencing Reform shortage of software engineers and work to The Chamber supports legislation and funding for protect the Energy Efficient Homes Tax Credit. sentencing reforms and rehabilitation programs to ease the financial drain on Oklahoma’s criminal Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIFs) and justice system, lessen the burden on jails and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) prisons throughout the state and allow non-violent The Chamber supports retaining economic offenders to enter the workforce more quickly. development programs that create and maintain jobs and investments in Oklahoma including The Chamber supports the efforts of the Criminal tax increment financing districts and business Justice Reclassification Council created pursuant 2019 Public Policy Guide 2019 Public Policy improvement districts. to HB 1098 (2018) and the Task Force on Fines 6 Fees and Costs created pursuant to SB 342 Wind Incentives (2017) to review and recommend changes to the The Chamber supports ending the Manufacturer’s Oklahoma criminal code to reduce the state’s Sales Tax Exemption for new wind facilities. prison population. The Chamber also supports requiring the Zero- Emissions Tax Credit to be claimed only as a credit The Chamber supports Oklahomans for Criminal and not as a refund. Justice Reform Policy Agenda to: 1) continue smart sentencing reform; 2) improve bail and jail Pension Reform practices; 3) improve fairness in the pretrial and The Chamber supports protecting the pension jury trial process; 4) improve family connections reforms which have improved the long-term fiscal for incarcerated Oklahomans; 5) make reentry condition of the state. and supervision improvements that reduce fines and fees, enhance workforce opportunities and Water increase public safety; 6) secure treatment funding; The Chamber will work with the governor, 7) better inform future policymaking and oversight; Oklahoma State Legislature, City of Oklahoma City and 8) improve collection and release of data and other stakeholders to ensure the availability of related to courts, jails, policing and prisons. a long-term water supply for central Oklahoma. The Chamber supports legislation to increase the Oil & Gas Tax fines/penalties for the possession and/or use of The Chamber supports a stable oil and gas tax credit card skimming devices. structure which promotes the investment of drilling