What a difference a year can make.
In just one year, the energy at the state Capitol did a complete 180—
from perceptions of doom and gloom to a spirit of optimism and collaboration. Stalemates and stagnation replaced by progress and accomplishments.
That’s the spirit and energy that Gov. Kevin Stitt, his team, and most legislators brought to 23rd and Lincoln this year. And, the State Chamber of Oklahoma was a part of it, helping lawmakers craft policy that protects Oklahoma businesses, modernizes state government, and promotes economic development in our state.
With an improving economy, the state Legislature passed an $8.3 billion budget—
the largest ever—
which included another teacher pay raise and restored funding to many state services. Importantly, lawmakers placed $200 million in the state’s savings account bringing the total balance to $1 billion at the end of this fiscal year. This will be crucial to stabilize the state budget in case of future economic downturns.
The State Chamber championed and passed two of our highest priorities: direct appointments and employer protections related to the new medical marijuana law. Earlier this year, Gov. Stitt signed into law five bills that will give him the power to hire and fire the directors of the state’s five largest agencies. As part of our OK2030 strategic plan (and a top priority of Gov. Stitt), this long overdue reform will bring accountability to state agencies.
We also collaborated with the Legislature and the governor to pass the Unity Bill on medical marijuana. This bill provides additional clarity and protection for businesses when navigating the new medical marijuana laws, and it also provides clarity on implementation details to Oklahoma communities.
This session, the State Chamber also saw big wins in judicial and legal policy, including legislation that will protect private property rights. After months of hard work and good faith negotiations amongst all parties, we struck a deal with lawmakers and others on a bill resulting in a competitive workers’ compensation market that encourages job creation and respects injured workers. This legislation is pivotal if we want to be a top ten state in job growth and business retention.
The governor also signed a bill on judicial redistricting that will enable him to choose from the best and brightest candidates across the state when there are openings on our state’s highest court. From the perspective of the business community, this is a great first step towards an unbiased and balanced judicial system comprised of the most talented candidates.
Like every other session, the State Chamber was a tireless advocate for economic development in Oklahoma. We not only protected existing tax credits, but we also championed new legislation that will provide tax credits to the automotive parts manufacturing sector, protect small businesses from federal tax law changes, and allow for public-private partnerships in infrastructure. Plus, we saw the governor placing $19 million in the Quick Action Closing Fund to better position Oklahoma in the competitive economic landscape.
This year also marked impressive strides in health care policy and criminal justice reforms. In criminal justice reform, the State Chamber supported policies to help reduce our prison population safely, both now and in the future. These policies will continue to move Oklahoma forward by investing in diversionary treatment options and realigning funds within the criminal justice system—all while ensuring public safety and getting people back into the workforce.
In health care policy, the State Chamber lobbied (and won) key victories for access to health care in Oklahoma. We advocated for policies to provide over $60 million for Graduate Medical Education and ease the regulatory burden on medical professionals moving to Oklahoma with an interstate medical licensing compact. Both of these will help improve health care access across the state and provide Oklahomans with the care they deserve.
Lawmakers also prioritized items that historically have been overlooked in Oklahoma: infrastructure and transportation. Over the last few years, facing budgetary pressure, lawmakers diverted funds from infrastructure to other needs. But this year (and with the State Chamber's support), lawmakers invested in Oklahoma by dedicating full funding to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s eight-year plan. The Legislature also advanced bills that will allow the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety to develop a framework for third-party commercial driver’s license testing and prepare Oklahoma for the future of transportation’s new and developing technologies.
Of course, as we all know, you can’t win every battle. There were some disappointments this year that will need to be addressed in the future, including policies that impose new regulatory burdens on Oklahoma businesses, increase the overall costs on doing business in Oklahoma, and interject government into private contracts.
But despite the aforementioned, all in all, this session marked the beginning of Oklahoma’s turnaround. We witnessed a new emphasis on government accountability and transparency. We worked with lawmakers as they moved the state in a better direction. And from day one, the State Chamber of Oklahoma was there to protect and promote the interests of our members and our board of directors.
The State Chamber spent this session building a solid foundation for 2020 and beyond. Get ready. Because with new energy and new leadership, foundational change is on the way to the State of Oklahoma. And you can bet the State Chamber of Oklahoma will be here to shape the future.
