Keep the Momentum Going: Join a Policy Committee
Working with policymakers, the State Chamber of Oklahoma
built a solid foundation this year
for 2020 and beyond. Indeed, we accomplished a lot, but we have more to do next year and in the years to come.
That’s why we need you to help us by joining a policy committee. All State Chamber members are invited to join one or more of
our committees
and be a part of helping shape our policy agenda.
This year marked the beginning of Oklahoma’s turnaround. But we can’t rest on our laurels. If we want a better Oklahoma, we have to keep the momentum going. That means we need you, our members, to stay active and involved so we can protect and promote Oklahoma businesses and our economy.
Note: Policy committee membership is only available to members of the State Chamber of Oklahoma.
First Medical Marijuana Wrongful Termination Suit Filed in Oklahoma
The first wrongful termination complaint regarding medical marijuana was filed in an Oklahoma court earlier this month. Read
the complaint here
for more information.
LOFT Oversight Committee to Hold First Meeting July 30
The Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) oversight committee will meet for the first time later this month at the Oklahoma Capitol.
LOFT is the legislative office created this year in a bill by House Speaker Charles McCall and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat. LOFT will provide the public and policymakers with independent, objective research and data on state spending and program evaluation and performance.
The Speaker and President Pro Tem appointed a bipartisan group of legislators to serve on the committee that will oversee and guide the work of LOFT. The oversight committee will meet at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, in Room 419-C at the Oklahoma Capitol.
ODOT Seeks Input for the Next 25 Years
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is developing its 2020-2045 Long Range Transportation Plan and wants you to get involved in the process.
The first opportunity to provide input via a MetroQuest survey at
https://oklrtp.metroquest.com
is available until August 12. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.
The agency will use the public’s input to document the condition of the existing system, analyze future needs and trends, evaluate how to meet those needs, and develop related strategies and policies for the next 25 years. The department will come back to the public for additional input when draft plan recommendations are ready – expected to be in late spring 2020 – with an overall goal for the plan to be considered for adoption by the Oklahoma Transportation Commission in summer 2020.
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Launch New Reach Higher Website
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education launched the newly designed
Reach Higher website
, targeting working adults with some college credit who wish to complete an associate or bachelor’s degree.
Reach Higher, Oklahoma’s adult degree completion initiative, offers two strands of degree completion for adult learners who have successfully completed some college coursework.
Reach Higher: FlexFinish offers flexible enrollment and online options to working adults who wish to pursue an associate degree in enterprise development or a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership at one of 21 participating colleges and universities in Oklahoma.
Reach Higher: DirectComplete offers adult students the opportunity to complete a degree in programs connected with workforce development needs that align with Oklahoma’s 100 Critical Occupations list.
Three States File Lawsuit Over Federal Rules Blocking SALT Workaround
New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut filed a lawsuit over rules the Trump administration issued last month blocking state policies designed to give taxpayers a way to avoid a cap on the deduction they can claim on their federal taxes for the state and local taxes they’ve paid. You can
read the entire article here
.