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| 04.27.12 |
Watch this week's Legislative Focus video Click on the graphic above to view a brief video about this week in session. Chamber, regional partners join to advocate OneVoice agendaMore than 200 civic, community and business leaders joined the Tulsa Metro Chamber at the State Capitol on Wednesday for its annual Tulsa Regional Day at the Capitol. The group advocated on six particular issues outlined in the OneVoice legislative agenda, including: increased funding for public PK-12, career tech and higher education; funding the Oklahoma Quick Action Closing Fund; protecting effective tax credits and incentives; supporting transportation funding for ODOT’s eight-year plan; increasing Oklahoma’s physician residency slots; and supporting a state bond issue for the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP).“There is only a month left for the Oklahoma legislature to act, so we’re doing a full-court press on these six items. Each must be addressed if we are to continue moving the Tulsa region forward,” said Mike Neal, Tulsa Metro Chamber president and CEO. “There is power in having 200 people – representing 56 OneVoice partner organizations – at the Capitol speaking with one united voice. That is why so many of us come together year after year to advocate on behalf of the entire region.” Tulsa Regional Day at the Capitol included group lobbying as well as briefings from several legislators, including Gov. Mary Fallin, Speaker of the House Kris Steele, Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, Treasurer Ken Miller and numerous state senators and representatives. Join the Oklahoma Main Street Fairness CoalitionEnsuring the fair and equal taxation of local businesses is a key priority on our regional OneVoice Legislative Agenda, and we need your company’s help to make this a reality in Oklahoma.The Tulsa Metro Chamber and others are working to advance “E-fairness” legislation at the State Capitol; e-fairness is critical to leveling the playing field between online-only retailers and our state’s small businesses. Because of unequal tax policies, Oklahoma’s brick-and-mortar retailers have become "showrooms" for online stores and are unable to compete against a company that can offer its goods at a significantly lower price. Our state’s tax laws should apply evenly to everyone, and allow Oklahoma’s businesses to compete with online sellers that have a physical presence in our state. To join the coalition pushing for “Main Street Fairness,” click here. State Capitol Activity RecapBUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSIONTax Credits and Economic Incentives Tulsa Metro Chamber Priority; Tulsa/OKC Chambers Joint Agenda Protect necessary and beneficial tax incentives and eliminate ineffective incentives through a process of annual review. . HB 2621, Johnson/Mazzei: Modifies provisions for transferability of tax credits including wind turbines, railroad expenditures and energy efficient residences; EMERGENCY. Passed the Senate (Y40, N4); headed to Conference Committee. . HB 2978, Dank/Mazzei: Requires tax credits to identify recipients and create jobs, and limits number of credits allowed to be claimed by one entity. Passed the Senate (Y45, N0); headed to Conference Committee. . HB 3061, Steele/Bingman: Creates the Oklahoma Tax Reform Act of 2012. Passed the Senate (Y30, N16); headed to Conference Committee. . SB 1234, Mazzei/Dank: Limits refunds relating to oil and gas exploration paid to all claimants annually to $50 million. Passed the House (Y68, N21); headed to Conference Committee. . SB 1235, Mazzei/Dank: Modifies definitions and provides dismissal from Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act if second payment claim is not filed within two years of the most recent claim. Passed the full House (Y-92, N-0); headed to Conference Committee. . SB 1464, Bingman/McNiel: Adds definitions of certain areas to the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program. Passed the House (Y83, N9); headed to Conference Committee. . SB 1465, Bingman/McNiel: Modifies requirements in the sales tax in regards to direct payment permits for tangible property stored in state temporarily for fabrication, repair, testing, alteration, maintenance or other services; EMERGENCY. Passed the House (Y92, N0); headed to the Senate to approve House amendments. . SB 1623, Mazzei/Dank: Phases out certain state income tax credits, exemptions, deductions, dividend exclusions and rebates by tax year 2014; modifies computation of state taxable income; removes obsolete language. Voted "Do Pass" as amended from the House Appropriations & Budget Committee; headed to the full House. DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMY & TAXES Tax Reform Tulsa Metro Chamber Priority; Joint Tulsa/OKC Chambers Agenda Maintain Oklahoma's friendly tax environment for businesses and economic development. Personal Income Tax: . HB 3061, Steele/Bingman (Governor Fallin's Proposal): Creates the Oklahoma Tax Reform Act of 2012; EMERGENCY. Passed the Senate (Y30, N16); headed to Conference Committee. . SB 1623, Mazzei/Dank (Task Force on Comprehensive Tax Reform Proposal): Phases out certain state income tax credits, exemptions, deductions, dividend exclusions and rebates by tax year 2014; modifies computation of state taxable income; removes obsolete language. Voted "Do Pass" as amended from the House Appropriations & Budget Committee; headed to the full House. . HB 3038, Osborn/Jolley (Laffer Proposal): Updates dates, rates and specifications for the Oklahoma Income Tax Code. Passed the Senate (Y31, N15); headed to Conference Committee. . SB 1571, Jolley/Osborn (Laffer Proposal): Modifies income tax rates as of Jan. 1, 2012; limits ability to claim credits, deductions, exemptions or exclusions. Voted "Do Pass" as amended from the House Appropriations & Budget Committee; headed to the full House. . SB 1437, Mazzei/Dank: Modifies income tax rates and brackets; removes obsolete language. Voted "Do Pass" as amended from the House Appropriations & Budget Committee; headed to the full House. Franchise Tax: . SB 1436, Mazzei/Dank: Repeals sections of law related to franchise tax. Passed the House (Y88, N2); headed to Conference Committee. Intangible Property Tax: . SJR 52, Mazzei/Dank: Sends to a vote of the people a measure exempting personal property from the ad valorem tax or any other tax in lieu of ad valorem. Passed the House (Y89, N0); headed to Conference Committee. EDUCATION Education Funding Reductions OneVoice Priority Oppose any diversion of education revenue sources such as property tax caps and tax exemptions and further reductions in the income tax. . SB 1036, Stanislawski/Jackson: Increases the amount of the homestead exemption to $22,000 or 50 percent of the amount set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to be the median income for the county or metro area. Voted "Do Pass" as amended from the House Appropriations & Budget Committee; headed to the full House. National Board Certification (NBCT) Joint Tulsa/OKC Chambers Legislative Agenda . SB 1879, Ford/Coody: Removes fund availability requirement from the Education Leadership Oklahoma program; directs Commission for Teacher Preparation to pay for fees associated with the National Board certification program; directs deposit of monies. Set on the House floor agenda April 26. ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT Increasing Oklahoma's Domestic Energy Usage Tulsa Metro Chamber Priority Support legislative initiatives designed to enhance the market access for alternative and traditional fuels produced in Oklahoma. . SB 1627, Bingman/Peters: Creates the Oklahoma Energy Initiative designed to advance new research and development efforts relating to energy; defines goals. Passed the House (Y69, N23); headed to the Senate to adopt House amendments. . SB 1628, Bingman/Peters: Modifies language relating to "The Interstate Oil Compact Fund of Oklahoma." Passed the House (Y73, N19); headed to the Senate to adopt House amendments. HEALTH CARE Increasing Oklahoma's Number of Physicians Tulsa/OKC Chamber Joint Agenda Support incentives to recruit and retain primary care physicians and allied health professionals in Oklahoma, especially in rural and underserved areas. . HB 3058, Steele/Bingman: Creates the Oklahoma Hospital Residency Training Act. Passed the Senate (Y45, N0); headed to Conference Committee. . SB 1280, Schulz/Steele: Establishes the "Oklahoma Hospital Residency Training Program Act;" sets definitions and purpose of the act; sets guidelines for boards, contracting, agencies involved and their tasks; creates revolving fund. Passed the House (Y88, N0); headed to Conference Committee. LABOR & HUMAN RESOURCES Workers Compensation Tulsa Metro Chamber Priority; Tulsa/OKC Chambers Joint Agenda Maintain Oklahoma's progress in improving its business climate by protecting recent workers compensation and legal systems reforms. Workers Compensation . HB 2155, Steele/Bingman: Creates "Oklahoma Employee Injury Benefit Act;" defines terms; outlines requirements for employer exemption from the Workers Compensation Act. House failed to adopt Senate amendments (N50, Y42); held for reconsideration. REGIONAL TOURISM . SB 1231, Mazzei/Dank: Requires report for delivery of cigarettes and monthly report from wholesalers by 20th of each month to OTC; removes out-of-date language; must correct failure to file tax return within 15 days after tax becomes delinquent. Passed the House (Y88, N3); headed to Conference Committee. SMALL BUSINESS Intangible Property Tax Tulsa Metro Chamber Priority; Joint Tulsa/OKC Chambers Agenda Maintain Oklahoma's friendly tax environment for businesses and economic development through the prevention of an increased assessment of intangible ad valorem taxes. . SJR 52, Mazzei/Dank: Sends to a vote of the people a measure exempting personal property from the ad valorem tax or any other tax in lieu of ad valorem. Passed the House (Y89, N0); headed to Conference Committee. TRANSPORTATION Transportation Funding OneVoice Priority, Tulsa/OKC Chambers Joint Agenda 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. . HB 2248, Shannon/Marlatt: Apportions certain monies to the Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety Fund; modifies appropriations to transportation funds. Passed the Senate (Y44, N0); headed to Conference Committee. . HB 2249, Shannon/Marlatt: Modifies annual appropriation percentage requirements for contributions to the General Revenue Fund of the State Treasury; directs certain funds to be deposited in the County Improvements for Roads and Bridges Fund. Passed the Senate (Y44, N0); headed to Conference Committee. . SB 1643, Marlatt/Shannon: Changes apportionment of Rebuilding OK Access and Driver Safety Fund to $550 million. Voted "Do Pass" from the House Appropriations & Budget Committee; headed to the full House. Bridge Improvements . SB 1256, Stanislawski/Cockroft: Sets the percentages of monies collected pursuant to the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act that will go to the General Revenue Fund and to the High Priority State Bridge Revolving Fund. Voted "Do Pass" from the House Appropriations & Budget Committee; headed to the full House. . SB 1642, Marlatt/Shannon: Provides percentages and dates for monies to be remitted to state treasurers to be credited to the County Improvement for Roads and Bridges Fund. Set on the House floor agenda April 26. Weigh Stations Tulsa Metro Chamber Priorities; Tulsa/OKC Chamber Joint Agenda Support methods to expedite the critical need for weigh station completion and weigh-in-motion infrastructure. . HB 2391, Liebmann/Bingman: Alters apportionment of motor fuel assessment revenues; provides an apportionment to the Weigh Station Improvement Revolving Fund; removes apportionments to the Higher Education Facilities and State Transportation Funds. Passed the Senate (Y38, N0); House refused to concur on Senate amendments. . SB 1144, Bingman/Liebmann: Removes the Higher Education Facilities Revolving fund as a recipient of the motor fuel tax and replaces it with the Weigh Station Improvement Revolving Fund. Passed the House (Y65, N17); headed to the Senate to adopt House amendments. For more information on the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s legislative agenda and priorities, contact the Government Affairs office at 918-560-0211 or email Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Chris Benge at chrisbenge@tulsachamber.com. We would like to acknowledge the Chamber's Partners in Legislative Success who have shown a continued commitment to the communities within the Tulsa region:
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