Transportation Priorities
Healthcare and Life Sciences Priorities
Education and Workforce Development Priorities
General Priorities
STATE ISSUES
Major Projects
The Chamber supports a continued focus on improvements, mobility and traffic management 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:
Regional Focus
The Chamber supports the ODOT/OTA regional transportation focus with the strategic objective of identifying, maximizing, preserving and protecting existing transportation assets. The Chamber further supports this study’s 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:
The Chamber supports the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s (OTA) efforts to enhance safety, increase travel time reliability, allow passage of high/wide loads and create additional interchanges such as I-44/Wellston, OK; and I- 44/Amber, OK.
ODOT Eight-Year Plan
The Chamber supports providing adequate annual dedicated funding necessary to preserve and implement the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s eight-year construction work plan. Furthermore, the Chamber will strongly oppose any effort to divert dedicated transportation funding to other areas of government.
ROADS Fund
The Chamber supports raising the cap on 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.
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.
Sustainable Funding
To address the declining transportation revenues associated with fuel tax, the Chamber supports the research and development of sustainable and growth-based funding alternatives tailored to Oklahoma’s future needs in support of transportation infrastructure.
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 in the amount of $6.9 million 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
The Chamber supports protecting and expanding passenger rail service as an important transportation option for both rural and urban Oklahomans. The Chamber will work with the Oklahoma congressional delegation, the Oklahoma state Legislature, ODOT, Amtrak, the City of Oklahoma City, Class 1 Railroads and the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) to oppose efforts to reduce or eliminate state or federal funding received by Oklahoma to operate the Heartland Flyer Amtrak service to Fort Worth, Texas. Moreover, the Chamber
supports ongoing efforts by ODOT to negotiate with the State of Texas and Amtrak to ensure Amtrak can be maintained as the passenger rail carrier.
The Chamber is taking active steps with our partners to pursue the objective of extending the Heartland Flyer Amtrak service to Newton, Kansas, which would connect Oklahoma City to Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago and other locations on the national Amtrak system. Furthermore, the Chamber supports the designation of the entire Heartland Flyer line (Fort Worth – Oklahoma City – Newton – National Network) as a national Amtrak route within the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Rail Administration’s specific “Corridor Identification Program.” This designation would serve to assist with the multi-million dollar federal/state burden/cost-sharing and would strategically address a significant gap in the national Amtrak system.
Interstate Commerce
The Chamber will oppose policies to limit the ability of Class 1 and short line railroads to conduct interstate commerce.
The Chamber supports the development of technology and effective transportation strategies to increase the safety and efficiency of interstate commerce. For example, the Chamber supports existing state law allowing for the platooning of semi-trucks.
Autonomous Vehicles
The Chamber supports the creation of a regulatory environment that makes Oklahoma a leader in safely using autonomous vehicles and does so without restricting their deployment and further innovation.
ODOT Rail Plans
The Chamber supports implementation of the Oklahoma State Rail Plan and Oklahoma Freight Transportation Plan developed by ODOT.
Seat Belt Law to Protect Childhood Safety
As the only U.S. state lacking such a sensible law, the Chamber supports passage of legislation to require those 8-17 years of age to wear seat belts while being transported in the back seat.
MUNICIPAL ISSUES
Oklahoma River Bridges
The Chamber supports construction of iconic bridges on Interstate 35 across the Oklahoma River. Replacing existing river bridges with landmark bridges would showcase Oklahoma City at the confluence of two major U.S. interstate highways (Interstates 35/40) and facilitate increased sporting events and tourism in the Horizons District, Boathouse District, the Chickasaw Nation’s First Americans Museum/OKANA resort, as well as enhance connectivity across the river.
Mass Transit/Commuter Rail
The Chamber supports implementation of transit programs that will best serve central Oklahoma including the Central Oklahoma Transit and Parking Authority (COTPA) 2005 Fixed Guideway Transit Study and its following component:
The Chamber further supports efforts by the RTA, consisting of core central Oklahoma cities/population centers, to launch future regional transit services. The Chamber will work with the RTA, Oklahoma state Legislature, COTPA, municipal governments, ODOT and Class 1 railroads to conduct early-stage planning for introducing commuter rail service into downtown Oklahoma City from Norman and Edmond with potential alternative transportation options to Tinker AFB. Further planning consideration should be given to the potential future expansion of rail service to Will Rogers World Airport, with benefits for downtown access/convention center opportunities, and Yukon.
Intermodal Hub
The Chamber will work with the City of Oklahoma City (COTPA), the Class 1 railroads, ODOT, the Oklahoma state Legislature and ACOG to ensure the continued viability of the intermodal hub at the Santa Fe station that will effectively integrate various modes of transportation (including OKC Streetcar, Amtrak, bus, inter-city bus, future bus rapid transit and future commuter rail) and enhance economic development opportunities.
The Chamber supports efforts to work with stakeholders to maximize alignment and development of future locally preferred alternatives for mass transportation.
Street Improvements
The Chamber supports consideration and pursuit of all available funds for ongoing and future street improvements.
Parking
The Chamber supports continued construction of additional parking and viable park and ride locations, as appropriate on a case-by-case basis, to allow continued economic development downtown.
Alternative Transportation
The Chamber will support the following (sidewalks; BRT; bike lanes; bus service; crosswalks; streetcar) provided appropriate consideration is given to negative traffic impacts and the use of scarce taxpayer resources. We further encourage a balanced, realistic, and thoughtful approach to the prioritization of Oklahoma City transportation needs.
FEDERAL ISSUES
Surface Transportation Funding
The Chamber ultimately supports adequate funding for annual reauthorization of the federal surface transportation program, with continuation of a responsible formula allocation to the states.
The Chamber will work with the Oklahoma congressional delegation and ODOT to secure a permanent funding solution for the Federal Highway Trust Fund (including mass transit programs).
The Chamber supports adequate funding levels to properly maintain the national transportation system.
Federal Capital Improvement Grants
The Chamber supports continued funding for the following federal grant programs, including, but not limited to, BIP, MEGA, SMALL STARTS, NEW STARTS, INFRA, RAISE, bus, and bus facilities grants.
Mike Monroney Center (FAA)/Associated Federal Agencies
The Chamber supports the continued viability of the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center as a strategically important national asset for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and further supports the continuation of its other essential federal government activities in the state.
Clean Air Nonattainment
The Chamber will work with the Oklahoma congressional delegation, ODOT, ACOG, the City of Oklahoma City, the private sector and additional partners to take necessary proactive steps to ensure the Greater Oklahoma City region is not designated as being in nonattainment of federal air quality standards.
National Air Quality Standards
Ground-level ozone and PM 2.5 concentrations in the OKC area have been high, and the region runs a significant risk of violating federal air quality standards (National Ambient Air Quality Standards – NAAQS). Therefore, the Chamber supports maintaining NAAQS at their current level and will oppose any efforts to make them more stringent, which could result in severe negative economic impacts in our region.
National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI)
The Chamber supports ODOT’s efforts to enhance Oklahoma’s existing EV charging network through partnerships with local stakeholders and the private sector.
Waters of the United States
The Chamber supports the May 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Sackett vs. EPA which limited the scope of the proposed expansive federal “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule to streams, oceans, rivers, lakes, and the wetlands that are virtually indistinguishable from them. Therefore, the Chamber opposes renewed efforts by the EPA to vaguely define the WOTUS rule in ways that are not traditionally regulated under the Clean Water Act.
Such an overly broad definition of navigable waters poses serious economic and regulatory complications for: providing the materials needed to build and modernize our country’s infrastructure in an environmentally friendly manner; uses of water in energy exploration; a wide range of agricultural activities; and many other negative impacts.
Freight Rail Regulation
The Chamber opposes any effort by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to impose additional economic or operational regulation on freight rail operators.
STATE ISSUES
Medicaid Reform
As the state continues to improve health outcomes and modernize payment models to incentivize value within the state’s Medicaid system, the Chamber supports the continued delivery of optimal outcomes by the state’s Medicaid Managed Care Model. We further believe this model is the most effective means to address the state’s total health care needs on a systemwide basis.
The Chamber supports protecting the current Medicaid supplemental payments or equivalent programs to our state’s medical schools and their hospital partners to ensure uninterrupted funding for medical education and the other unique services each provide.
Insure Oklahoma
The Chamber supports continued efforts to protect, preserve and further improve Employer Sponsored Insurance (ESI) offered under the state’s Insure Oklahoma program.
Research and Development
The Chamber supports efforts to foster an environment that is conducive to further research and will oppose efforts to unreasonably restrict the continued development of the state’s bioscience and research programs.
The Chamber will further support marketing Oklahoma as a rising research, product and technology development hub; support start-ups, engage in intentional efforts to attract scientists, engineers, and researchers back to market; and work to retain our premiere research workforce.
Clinical Trials
The Chamber will support Oklahoma’s position as a market for excellence in clinical trials.
Oklahoma City County Health Department
The Chamber supports local public health efforts/responses and, therefore, supports protecting the independence of the Oklahoma City County Health Department.
Tribal and Rural Health Care
The Chamber supports the continued development of Oklahoma’s rural and tribal health care systems and entities that create products, services, technologies and treatments that further health outcomes for American Indian and rural populations.
Workplace Violence
The Chamber supports maintaining continued focus on protecting Oklahoma’s health care workforce that is facing increased incidences of violence in the workplace.
Vaccine Mandates
The Chamber supports allowing each company/business to determine whether to mandate vaccinations for its employees.
Health Care Mandates
The Chamber opposes new health insurance mandates and liabilities that will undermine an employer’s ability to provide quality health insurance at a reasonable cost to employees.
The Chamber further opposes new mandates being placed on physicians, hospitals and providers that will increase the cost of providing quality health care in Oklahoma.
Paid Family and Medical Leave
The Chamber opposes a state-mandated and/or state-run paid family and medical leave program of any kind imposed on Oklahoma employers.
Network Protection
The Chamber opposes legislation, restrictions, regulations and taxes which would eliminate the incentive for medical providers to contract with managed care networks and, as a result, potentially frustrate efforts at cost and quality control and ultimately deny consumers the benefits of cost-reducing arrangements with providers.
The Chamber further opposes legislation that would interfere with an employer's ability to offer affordable health benefits due to a reduced ability to control benefit plans relating to prescription drugs.
Employee Retirement Insurance Security Act (ERISA) Protections
The Chamber opposes legislative efforts to undermine federal ERISA protections.
Medical Education Funding
The Chamber supports maintaining physician training funding for the state’s two largest medical schools in the base budgets of the University Hospitals Authority and Oklahoma State University Medical Authority.
Physician and Nursing Shortage/Rural and Underserved Access
The Chamber supports the following initiatives to address health care disparities: 1) incentivizing the recruitment and retention of primary care physicians, specialty physicians, mental health professionals and allied health professionals in rural, underserved and other areas; 2) expanding residency programs for the state’s medical schools; and 3) strengthening the health care workforce by expanding programs that train medical professionals as well as the number of available nursing school spots, and supporting the success of the Oklahoma Nursing Center. The Chamber supports efforts to identify new public funding streams dedicated to these initiatives.
The Chamber also supports the appropriate expansion of existing technology platforms, such as telemedicine and telehealth, and data platforms to enhance access to health care for Oklahomans.
The Chamber supports Oklahoma’s participation in medical compacts to improve access to high-quality health care.
Workforce and Talent Development
The Chamber supports efforts to grow and bolster talent pipelines of skilled professionals to fill cutting-edge research, scientific and health care roles critical to our health and life science economies.
Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust
The Chamber supports the constitutional provisions of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) to support the public health of Oklahomans, and to support research and grant functions of the programs.
Appropriations Support of Community Health Centers
The Chamber supports adequate state funding for community health centers to provide quality health care to underserved Oklahomans, prevent cost shifting to other entities and maintain a healthy workforce for Oklahoma’s employers.
Health Care Funding
The Chamber supports protecting existing public health care revenue streams and opposes cuts to the state Medicaid budget that would increase the burden of uncompensated care and shift costs to employers and health care providers.
The Chamber further supports a stable funding and tax structure for the health care industry to promote optimal care delivery and innovation.
The Chamber will further encourage state investment in support of the biosciences industry and associated clusters.
Child Care
The Chamber supports targeted policies designed to increase availability of non-mandated, high-quality childcare and out of school time options to help generate increased workforce development.
Wellness Initiatives
The Chamber supports the following state and local initiatives, including wellness, disease prevention and care programs, that serve to improve the physical, behavioral and mental health of Oklahoma citizens: tobacco prevention programs; efforts to mitigate the harmful health effects of e-cigarettes/vaping; public outreach initiatives; efforts to address health disparities; and workplace and school-based wellness initiatives, including health education and healthy eating programs.
Prevention of Disease
The Chamber recognizes the detrimental impact of chronic and communicable diseases (including substance use disorder) on the quality of life for Oklahoma’s residents and the severe economic costs they impose on health care providers and employers. Therefore, the Chamber will support efforts by the state’s elected officials, medical research and public health communities to develop avenues to successfully prevent and combat congenital, chronic, pandemic and communicable diseases.
Clean Indoor Air
The Chamber supports legislation to make all indoor areas smoke free as well as legislation to remove smokers, on a non-medical basis, as a protected class in state employment law.
FEDERAL ISSUES
Federal Funding for Research and Health/Life Science Infrastructure:
The Chamber supports protecting and increasing funding for life science and health care infrastructure and programs including, but not limited to: the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)
This includes:
Single-Payer Health Care
The Chamber supports improving health care quality, access and affordability without imposing new mandates and/or taxes on businesses or removing employer choice. Therefore, the Chamber opposes a single-payer government-run/public option or health care system with excessive government mandates.
Employer-Driven Market Reforms
The Chamber believes that employers drive innovation in health benefits and supports market-driven health reforms as the best approach to reducing costs while promoting market stability, efficiency, wellness and quality of care.
Medicaid Cuts
The Chamber opposes Medicaid cuts that would place increased pressure on reimbursement rates, negatively impact the adequate delivery of critical services to the most vulnerable, exacerbate an already high administrative burden for health care businesses and shift the increased burden of uncompensated care to employers and health care providers.
Research and Development
The Chamber supports efforts to foster a federal policy environment that is conducive to further research and will oppose efforts to unreasonably restrict the continued development of national bioscience and research programs.
Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA)
The Chamber will support reauthorization of PAHPA (2006) to comprehensively improve the Nation's public health and medical preparedness and response capabilities for emergencies, whether deliberate, accidental, or natural.
Public Health Grants
The Chamber will advocate for federal public health grant dollars to be allocated directly to local city-county health departments.
Tribal and Rural Health Care/Joint Venture Construction Program
The Chamber will protect and enhance federal support for tribal and rural health care including, but not limited to, the Joint Venture Construction Program which is a premiere example of federal-tribal partnership to ensure availability of first-class tribal health care infrastructure.
STATE ISSUES
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.
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. 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.
Teacher Preparation, Recruitment and Retention
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:
Adjunct, Alternative and Emergency Certified Teachers
The Chamber recognizes the need for adjunct, alternative and emergency certified teachers will continue to increase. We support efforts to increase retention and make sure these teachers are as prepared as possible and as quickly as possible. We support:
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.
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.
Consideration should also be given to the following:
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 reading and literacy programs that work to enable students at all grade levels to improve reading proficiency and comprehension skills 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.
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 CareerTech facilities. We will oppose efforts to remove or replace the ability of CareerTech 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 CareerTechs. 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:
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.
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.
CareerTech – Business and Industry Training
The Oklahoma CareerTech system is acknowledged as one of the top systems in the nation. CareerTech 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 certifications, degrees, licenses and other training targeting skills that are in demand and meet industry needs.
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.
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.
FEDERAL ISSUES
Helping Students Pay for Higher Education
The Chamber recognizes that students need financial resources to complete post-secondary 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:
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.
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.
STATE ISSUES
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.
Workers’ Comp Reform
The Chamber supports defending and improving the comprehensive workers’ compensation reform legislation enacted during the 2013 session.
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:
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 Low Income Housing Tax Credit in a way that would deter investment in affordable housing.
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.
Tax Reform
The Chamber supports reforming the tax code to better incentivize companies to locate/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:
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.
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 of incentive programs offered by other states be conducted. 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tax Policy
The Chamber will engage with our Congressional delegation to protect advantageous tax policies and existing tax credit programs.
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.
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 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: 1) drive technology and innovation in the production of pharmaceutical products and 2) not be reliant on importing these products in the event of a global pandemic or other supply shortage.
