2015 Greater Oklahoma City Chamber PUBLIC POLICY GUIDE Experience You Can Trust. (L to R) Ron Witherspoon - President & CEO , Brad Krieger - Chairman for Arvest Greater OKC, Becky Franklin - EVP, Sales Manager, Steve Hull - EVP, Loan Manager, and Don Gable - Stillwater Community President Complete relationship banking from Arvest Bank. Arvest is full-service banking the way it’s meant to be: KNOWLEDGEABLE | APPROACHABLE | RESPONSIVE | RELIABLE See for your self at any of our 28 Oklahoma City locations. Oklahoma City Del City Choctaw Moore Norman Yukon Edmond Midwest City Stillwater Experience You Can Trust. TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the Chairman ............page 2 Pro-Business Scorecard .................. page 16 Government Relations Staff ..............page 3 Elected Officials Directory ............... page 18 Greater OKC Chamber PAC ..............page 4 Chamber Leadership ....................... page 36 (L to R) Ron Witherspoon - President & CEO , Brad Krieger - Chairman for Arvest Greater OKC, Becky Franklin - EVP, Sales Manager, Steve Hull - EVP, Loan Manager, and Don Gable - Stillwater Community President 2015 Public Policy Priorities ..............page 5 Complete relationship banking from Arvest Bank. GOVERNMENT RELATIONS BENEFACTORS Arvest is full-service banking the way it’s meant to be: KNOWLEDGEABLE | APPROACHABLE | RESPONSIVE | RELIABLE See for your self at any of our 28 Oklahoma City locations. GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SPONSORS Cox Communications Oklahoma City Del City Choctaw Moore Norman Yukon Edmond Midwest City Stillwater Enable Midstream Partners 1 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN As we prepare for the 2015 legislative session, let's first take a moment to reflect on all that's been accomplished over the past few years: an overhaul of our workers’ compensation reform system, major lawsuit reform, moderate and responsible tax cuts, significant improvements in infrastructure funding and creation of a stable tax structure for our oil and gas companies. Our Legislature and Governor are to be commended for staying focused on improving Oklahoma's business climate. As a result of their good work, Oklahoma is now recognized as one of the most business- friendly states in the country. State economic development incentive programs also have contributed to our economic growth. Our Governor, our Chamber and economic developers statewide rely on these programs to recruit high-paying jobs and capital investment. By way of example, Boeing moved jobs to DAVID RAINBOLT Oklahoma City from California, Kansas and Washington. Additionally, GE’s newest research facility, now under construction in the heart of Oklahoma Chairman, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber City, could have been located anywhere in the world. Without our state's Quality Jobs Act, the Aerospace Engineer Tax Credit and other incentive BancFirst programs, those jobs would not be coming to Oklahoma. The redevelopment of many areas in downtown Oklahoma City likely would not have occurred without the state’s tax credit for the Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings – a necessary component of financing the high renovation cost of historic buildings. Importantly, the hotels, restaurants and offices in these buildings generate a reliable stream of tax revenue for the state and city. The state’s return on investment is easily calculable and outweighs the cost of associated incentives by a multiple. This year we expect the Legislature to scrutinize many of the state's tax credits and incentive programs. As the state's largest economic development organization, we welcome the scrutiny. We favor increased transparency in the programs and even acknowledge there are several incentives that may need to be changed. If a program cannot show an acceptable return, it should be scaled back or repealed. While we believe a thorough review is appropriate and necessary, we will also argue that those programs that do work should be kept or even enhanced. To this end, our legislative agenda includes a list of the incentive programs we will work to protect. We believe they generate revenue and allow our state to effectively compete in the battle for jobs. We ask that you join our effort to work closely with the Legislature to ensure the continued improvement of our business climate. 2 BE AN ADVOCATE FOR BUSINESS. Our world is constantly changing. But when it comes communicate with them, ensuring that you have an to advocating for business at the Capitol, some things impact in the decisions being made by our state’s remain the same – the importance of contacting and leaders. You can also stay up-to-date during the developing relationships with legislators. legislative session by signing up for The Business Advocate, the Chamber’s newsletter solely focused on There are multiple ways to stay informed and make what’s happening at the Capitol during the legislative sure your voice is heard throughout the year. session. Together, we can build a stronger business climate for Greater Oklahoma City. Business Advocacy Contact the Government Relations Team Center Throughout the year, the Chamber’s team works to The Chamber’s ensure that Greater Oklahoma City is moving forward Business Advocacy and growing stronger. From making business issues Center, heard at the Capitol to economic development activity, www.OKCBusinessAdvocate.com, makes having a the Chamber is the voice for business in Greater voice at the Capitol simple. With just a few simple Oklahoma City. The Chamber staff is always available clicks, you can identify your elected officials and 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 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 405.297.8942 Sarah Dolan [email protected] Government Relations Executive Assistant 405.297.8922 [email protected] 3 A Unified Voice for Oklahoma City’s Businesses One of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s primary MEMORANDUMgoals is to improve Oklahoma’s business climate and foster economic growth. To further the goals of the RE: Greater Oklahoma CityGreater Chamber Oklahoma PAC City business community, The Executive Committee Greater OKC Chamber Political Action Committee was formed to aggressively pursue the election and re- Brad Krieger, In 2010, the Chamber becameelection more ofaggressive candidates in electing who take officials a stand who for Oklahomawould support our Chairman legislative priorities. By unanimousCity’s key vote, business our board issues. established Since 2010, the Greater the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Political Action Committee.OKC Chamber In voting PAC has to create strengthened the PAC, theall board Chamber’s members Carl Edwards, agreed to contribute at least ability$500 annuallyto advocate to sustain on behalf it. of the Oklahoma City Treasurer business community. Since its creation, the Greater The PAC’s first year was outstanding.OKC Chamber Of PACthe 22has candidates contributed receiving $268,050 contributions, to pro- 21 were Tom McDaniel, elected and now serve our statebusiness by supporting candidates. issues and legislation that will advance the Secretary economic development of the Greater Oklahoma City area. The Greater OKC Chamber PAC contributed a total of Roy H. Williams, The 2011 legislative session,$101,100 which just to pro-businessended several candidatesweeks ago, resulted competing in the in thepassage of Deputy Treasurer most all of the Chamber’s legislative2014 primary, priorities, primary including: runoff and general elections. • A total rewrite of theDuring state’s workers’the 2013-14 compensation election cycle statutes the Greater OKC Beverly Binkowski • Enactment of five keyChamber pieces ofPAC tort made reform 83 legislation, contributions including to candidates a $350,000 cap on non-economic damagesin statewide, and the elimination state legislative of joint and and local several races. liability Of these 83 contributions, 74 were made to successful J. Larry Nichols • Prevention of Arizona-style immigration reform in Oklahoma • Protection of all 16 keycandidates, economic giving development the Chamber incentives PAC identified an impressive by the Chamber, overall winning percentage of 89 percent. This success Richard Nix including reinstatement of the Aerospace Engineer Tax Credit • Protection of Oklahoma’srate demonstrates thriving biosciences the strong industry, influence including the retaining Chamber the PAC has in electing candidates across the state who will David Rainbolt EDGE fund and preventing the criminalization of certain types of medical research • Enactment of a hospitalsupport provider the Chamber’sfee to access agenda. federal funds, keep doctors from David Thompson leaving the state, andThe ensure Greater high OKCquality Chamber health care PAC’s is provided unified tovoice more has a Oklahomans proven track record in making a substantial impact on John Michael Williams • Passage of major educationalthe political reform future including of Oklahoma the end City. of trial It exists de novo, to allow which will allow underperformingevery