LEGISLATIVE GUIDE - Greater Oklahoma City Chamber

OKC and Tulsa Joint Legislative
AGENDA
The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber recognizes the
benefits of partnerships when working to represent the
business community and create a pro-business climate
statewide. In 2012, the Chamber will work with the
Tulsa Metro Chamber in lobbying the state legislature on
the following issues.
EDGE Endowment Fund
The Chambers advocate protecting the Economic
Development Generating Excellence (EDGE) fund from
being repealed or borrowed from and support identifying
a permanent funding source to allow the fund to reach
$1 billion.
DEVELOPMENT,
ECONOMY & TAXES
Economic Development Incentives
The Chambers support legislation or a constitutional
amendment to permanently address the 2009 ruling
of the Oklahoma Supreme Court which held that ad
valorem tax is owed on a company’s Intangible Personal
Property (such as trademarks, patents, computer
software, contracts, customer lists, goodwill and
advertising campaigns).
The Chambers support the continued implementation
of effective tax credits as a means of maintaining
Oklahoma’s competitiveness with surrounding states
and to continue attracting high-quality jobs for our
citizens. In particular, we support the Quality Jobs
Program (QJP); the 21st Century QJP; the Qualified
Rehabilitation Expenditures for Historic Buildings
incentive and the Investment/New Jobs Tax Credit.
The Chambers support funding the Governor’s Quick
Action Closing Fund provided the safeguards currently
in HB 1953 remain in place and measurable employee,
salary and capital investment targets are implemented
to ensure accountability and transparency in project
selection.
Oklahoma Quality Events Act
The Chambers support full implementation of the
Oklahoma Quality Events Act.
Liquor Laws
The Chambers will work with all significant stakeholders
to examine the benefits and consequences of updating
the state’s liquor laws.
OCAST
The Chambers advocate full funding for programs
managed by OCAST, including the Seed Capital Fund
and other programs managed by i2E, to support the
creation and growth of small businesses and jobs in
Oklahoma.
TRANSPORTATION
Bridge Improvement & Turnpike
Modernization Plan
The Chambers support Gov. Fallin’s Bridge Improvement
& Turnpike Modernization Plan to repair or replace all
of Oklahoma’s structurally deficient and functionally
obsolete bridges by 2019 and to expand the Creek and
Kilpatrick Turnpikes provided that it does not negatively
impact funding levels for education.
Existing Road Funding
The Chambers will defend all existing road funding;
prevent any diversion of monies; and support increased
funding for transportation by developing an adequate,
comprehensive funding strategy to broaden the sources
of funds and increase the total amount going to
transportation statewide.
The Chambers support efforts made by the state
legislature to secure transportation funding and preserve
ODOT’s eight-year construction work plan. We support
methods to expedite the critical need for weigh station
completion and weigh-in-motion infrastructure that
protect road and bridge quality from overweight freight
traveling through the state.
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2012 LEGISLATIVE GUIDE