GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER PUBLIC POLICY GUIDE 20 21 TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the Chair .....................page 4 Government Relations Staff ...............page 5 2021 Public Policy Priorities ...............page 6 Pro-Business Scorecard .................. page 20 Elected Officials Directory .............. page 22 Greater OKC Chamber PAC ............ page 24 Chamber Leadership ........................ page 46 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS BENEFACTORS 2021 Public Policy Guide 2021 Public Policy GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SPONSORS Enable Midstream Partners Google, Inc. 3 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR For more than 130 years, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber has served as the voice of business and the primary visionary organization for our region. Throughout or organization’s history, there are countless examples of the Chamber working with elected officials on laws that strengthen our region’s business climate, and we know that this year will be no exception. After a challenging year, we must redouble our efforts to enact legislation that will create more jobs, boost our economy, support our state’s core services, and establish more equitable opportunities for all Oklahoma residents. In the pages of this guide, you will find a list of the policies we believe will build the strongest version of Oklahoma that is possible. The Chamber will actively lobby on these diverse issues, including protecting key economic development programs, continuing our state’s justice and sentencing reform, extending health insurance coverage to more Oklahomans, reforming our higher education system and more. The 2021 Public Policy Guide also includes the contact information for every elected official of our region, from members of our congressional delegation to elected officials at the local level. We include this information for a reason: so that you, a valued member of the Oklahoma City business community, will have every resource you need to make your voice heard on the issues that matter to your business. The Chamber is a more powerful advocate for businesses when you participate in the process, so please commit to building a relationship with your elected official during this legislative session and beyond. Together, we will continue to grow our state and region into a place where all businesses can thrive. SEAN TRAUSCHKE Chair, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Chairman, President & CEO, OGE Energy Corp. 2021 Public Policy Guide 2021 Public Policy 4 BE A BUSINESS ADVOCATE Business Advocacy Center The Chamber’s Business Advocacy Center at OKCBusinessAdvocate.com makes having a voice at the Capitol 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 solely focused 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 to business. 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 Mark VanLandingham President & CEO Sr. Vice President, Government 405.297.8939 Relations [email protected] 405.297.8925 [email protected] Derek Sparks Sarah Barton Sr. Manager, Government Government Relations Executive Relations Assistant 405.297.8933 405.297.8922 [email protected] [email protected] Drew Dugan, CCE Vice President, Education 405.297.8940 [email protected] 2021 PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES STATE ISSUES County Government Reform • Cyber-security/Software Engineer Tax Credit The Chamber supports empowering Oklahoma • Five-year ad valorem abatement and sales tax counties to alter their form of government to meet their exemption for manufacturing facilities unique needs. • Regional Home Office Insurance Premium Tax Workers’ Comp Reform Credit The Chamber supports defending and improving the comprehensive workers’ compensation reform The Chamber supports adapting Oklahoma’s film legislation enacted during the 2013 session. incentive program to encourage production companies and studios to bring multiple films/projects to the state. Economic Development Programs The Chamber supports retaining and strengthening The Chamber will support efforts to reinstate the Tax the state’s premier economic/community development Credit for Energy Efficient Homes and to protect the programs which are critical in attracting new businesses Affordable Housing Tax Credit. to the state, assisting existing companies expand and encouraging investment in communities across the Broadband/Data Privacy state. Following are the key programs the Chamber will The Chamber: seek to protect: • Supports protecting Oklahoma’s pro-investment • Quality Jobs Act, 21st Century QJA, Small Employer environment to facilitate the development of QJA and the Prime Contractor QJA telecommunication infrastructure • Aerospace Engineer Tax Credit • Supports efforts to remove barriers to broadband access in Oklahoma such as ensuring providers are • Investment/New Jobs Tax Credit reasonably charged for use of the public rights of way and facilities within the rights of way • Historical Building Rehabilitation Tax Credit 2021 Public Policy Guide 2021 Public Policy 6 • Supports common sense protections against the unauthorized collection or sale of personal data and opposes state-level efforts that conflict with federal laws and regulations regarding data privacy Legal Reform The Chamber supports the following legal reforms: • Amending public and private nuisance laws to avoid misuse • Placing a reasonable limit on non-economic damages 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. 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 high-economic impact events (many of which are required by contract to prohibit weapons), including Horse Shows, the Oklahoma State Fair, Olympic Qualifying on the Oklahoma River, High School Basketball and Wrestling Tournaments at the State Fairgrounds and NCAA and Big XII sporting events. The Chamber will oppose legislation to allow guns to be carried on college campuses. 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 Guide 2021 Public Policy 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. 7 Pension Reform The Chamber supports protecting the pension reforms which have improved the long-term fiscal condition of the state. Paid Family Leave Mandates The Chamber opposes state legislation to create a paid family leave program mandating participation by private sector employers that goes beyond federal level requirements. Medical Marijuana The chamber supports additional legislation to protect an employer’s’ right to maintain a drug-free workplace, enforce policies to prohibit employee impairment during work hours and other business friendly reforms. Water The Chamber will work with the Governor, State Criminal Justice/Sentencing Reform Legislature, City of OKC and other stakeholders to The Chamber supports legislation and funding for ensure the availability of a long-term water supply for sentencing reforms and rehabilitation programs central Oklahoma. to ease the financial drain on Oklahoma’s criminal justice system, lessen the burden on jails and prisons Oil & Gas Tax throughout the state and allow non-violent offenders to The Chamber supports a stable oil and gas tax enter the workforce more quickly. structure which promotes the investment of drilling capital in Oklahoma. The Chamber supports the efforts of the Criminal Justice Reclassification Council created pursuant to HB I2E/OCAST 1098 (2018). The Chamber supports continued funding for i2E programs, including the Seed Capital Fund. The Chamber also supports: 1) continuing smart sentencing reform; 2) improving bail and jail practices; The Chamber encourages the State of Oklahoma 3) making reentry and supervision improvements to invest in OCAST’s support of small and medium to reduce fines and fees, enhance workforce size companies. By funding advanced research and opportunities and increase public safety; and 4) development through industry innovation, OCAST securing additional treatment funding. can stimulate public-private collaboration