Public Affairs Forum Registration Now Open
The 2020 legislative session is fast approaching. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to hear from Oklahoma’s legislative leaders directly as they discuss their upcoming agendas and the pressing issues facing your business in the coming year. We’ll also hear from one of Washington’s top political analysts,
Amy Walter
, discussing where to turn when the political climate heats up.
Date:
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Location:
1700 NE 63rd Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73111
Agenda:
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Networking Hour
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Public Affairs Forum
(Lunch served)
Registration:
Members: $100
Non-Members: $150
Registration deadline: Friday, December 6
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Oklahoma Manufacturing Summit:
Deadlines Quickly Approaching!
Deadlines are quickly approaching for the Oklahoma Manufacturing Summit in Broken Arrow at the end of this month!
Our room block at the Hilton Garden Inn with a special rate of $99 per night
will close on Friday, October 18
; summit registration
will close on Wednesday, October 23!
If you plan to attend, please see the details below!
Dates:
October 28-29, 2019
Location:
3100 E. New Orleans Street
Broken Arrow, OK 74014
Registration:
Registration fee is $100 per person.
Registration Deadline:
Wednesday, October 23
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Hotel:
420 West Albany Street
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
To book your room,
click here
. The deadline to book your room at the special rate of $99 per night is
Friday, October 18
.
Sponsorships:
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Dr. Kayse Shrum Named 2019 Woman of the Year
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Dr. Kayse Shrum received the 2019 Woman of the Year award this week at
The Journal Record’s
39th annual event honoring Oklahoma’s female business and community leaders.
Shrum is president of the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and dean of OSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as Oklahoma secretary of science and innovation.
In addition to serving on the board at the State Chamber of Oklahoma, Shrum also serves on the boards of the Saint Francis Children’s Hospital Foundation, Texas A&M Center for Optimizing Rural Health, Women for OSU Council, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, and Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
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Incentive Evaluation Commission:
Oklahoma Still a ‘Leading’ State
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Pew State Tax Incentive Evaluation Ratings (August 2019)
In 2015, lawmakers passed legislation creating the Incentive Evaluation Commission (IEC) which requires evaluation of Oklahoma’s economic development incentives on a four-year rotating cycle. By doing so, we became one of 15 states currently leading the nation by rigorously measuring the economic and fiscal impact of our tax incentive programs.
The good news is Oklahoma is still leading the nation in this area. Policymakers are using this data to improve the effectiveness of our incentive programs and enhance Oklahoma’s economic development efforts. Lawmakers have filed bills each year during legislative session to implement many of the recommendations from IEC. From small modifications in reporting to repealing an unused and outdated incentive program, it appears that the commission’s goal of using evidence to inform policy decisions is being met.
This year, IEC is evaluating 10 incentives and is in the process of accepting public comments on them now through October 29, 2019. The incentives currently under review are:
- Economic Development Pooled Finance Program
- Computer Services, Data Processing and Research and Development Tax Exemption
- Seed Capital Fund
- Training for Industry Program
- Railroad Modernization Income Tax Credit
- Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP)
- Spaceport Tax Exemptions
- Oklahoma Local Development and Enterprise Zone Incentive Leverage Act
- Aircraft Maintenance Facility Sales Tax Exemptions
- Construction Materials Tax Exemption
The next Incentive Evaluation Commission meeting is scheduled for October 31, 2019, where in-person comments will be accepted. You can download the draft recommendations or review the process for submitting written comments at
iec.ok.gov
.
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From Our Government Affairs Team
Kannady to Explore Non-Economic Damage Caps
House Judiciary Chair Chris Kannady (R-Oklahoma City) announced last week that he will seek compromise legislation next session in response to a state Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, according to reports from
The Journal Record
and the
Tulsa World
.
The call for compromise legislation stems from the April 2019 ruling by the state Supreme Court in the case
Beason v. I.E. Miller Services, Inc
.
In the case, the state's highest court struck down a law that capped non-economic damages at $350,000. In its ruling, the court said it was an unconstitutional special law.
In a press release, Chairman Kannady said he has asked for input from various stakeholders, including the State Chamber of Oklahoma.
“The State Chamber of Oklahoma worked closely with Chairman Kannady last year on workers’ compensation and other legal reform measures,” said Fred Morgan, president and CEO of the State Chamber of Oklahoma. “We look forward to continuing that work during the upcoming session in order to achieve long-term solutions for the business community.”
Morgan also noted to The Journal Record that the ruling in the
Beason
case marks uncertainty for Oklahoma's business community.
“From a job creator’s perspective, it’s hard to promote the state of Oklahoma when we’ve got a court that says when you come to Oklahoma you risk unlimited damages for non-economic damages.”
ICYMI: News 9 Tours Gov. Stitt's New Suite
After 10 months of work, the governor’s suite is finally finished. The governor moves in next week, but News 9 got a sneak peek on Monday. In case you missed it,
click here
.
Save the Date for Policy Committee Meetings
As a member of the State Chamber, you are invited to our annual policy committee meetings where we develop the legislative agenda for the next year. We hope you will plan to attend any that are of interest to your business.
Economic Development, Taxation & Retail
Wednesday, October 16 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Workforce Development
Thursday, October 17 from 10:00 – 11:30 am
Aerospace, Technology, Defense & Telecommunications
Tuesday, October 22 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Health Care
Tuesday, October 22 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Transportation & Infrastructure
Wednesday, October 23 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm
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Staybridge Suites
is 14 minutes from the state Capitol and an even quicker nine minutes to Will Rogers World Airport.
Typical overnight accommodations are just a click above government per diem, and a few feature hospitality space in the room, doubling as remote office space. Staybridge has flexible meeting space for interviews and entertaining, including in-house catering. Every morning features a complimentary, fresh traditional breakfast buffet. And, on Monday through Wednesday evenings, Staybridge offers a manager buffet reception with beer on tap and a relaxing view of the Oklahoma River.
For more information, please contact Paul Crone, Director of Sales, via email at
[email protected]
or by phone at (405) 886-5886. Paul has been doing business in Oklahoma City for over 25 years and represents Aimbridge Hospitality Management, a global leader in hotel management. Paul’s expertise includes:
- Travel Advisor & Business Networking Professional
- Reservations for space, catered occasions, and guest rooms at Staybridge OKC Airport
- Arrangements for groups and meetings in a variety of hotel brands across the U.S.
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Support Your Local Chamber Day is Next Week
Did you know that Wednesday, October 16 is National Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day?
Observed annually on the third Wednesday of October, National Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day celebrates the invaluable work being done by chambers of commerce nationwide to strengthen the economy, business community, and local enterprises of all sizes.
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PO Box 53217 | Oklahoma City, OK 73152
Need assistance? Please contact
[email protected]
. Do not reply directly to this email.
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