| |
| 05.11.12 |
Watch this week's Legislative Focus video Click on the graphic above to view a brief video about this week in session.Task forces forming to discuss 2013 OneVoice agendaThe Tulsa Metro Chamber will begin working with its regional OneVoice legislative partners to outline priorities and issues for the 2013 agenda. Task forces are now forming and will begin meeting mid-June through July to create a list of top priorities to present at the Regional Legislative Summit, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 29 at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Warren Place.“The more collaboration we have on creating the OneVoice agenda, the more our agenda will represent the business and quality of life needs of Northeast Oklahoma,” said Chris Benge, senior vice president of government affairs for the Tulsa Metro Chamber. “The work the task forces will put into drafting items for the agenda is the first, absolutely critical step in advancing the Tulsa region and the health of our economy.” Once a draft agenda is completed at the Summit, each OneVoice partner will review it, provide feedback as necessary, and then provide a formal endorsement. Task forces include business retention and expansion; development, economy and taxes; education; energy and environment; health care; labor and human resources; regional tourism; small business and transportation. To ensure the region’s top priorities are represented in the 2013 OneVoice agenda, representatives from all Chamber member organizations and companies are asked to join a task force. For information, call 918.560.0232 or email nickdoctor@tulsachamber.com. Sign online letter of support for OKPOPThe Oklahoma legislature could consider a $42 million bond initiative to build a statewide pop museum in the Brady Arts District. The OKPOP museum, a 75,000-square-foot building, will be dedicated to the creative spirit of Oklahoma's people and the influence of Oklahoma artists on popular culture around the world. It will also play a key role in fueling economic development in the Tulsa region, attracting visitors from other parts of the state and across the country, and employing more than 390 individuals during construction with an ongoing employment of 730 jobs during operation.Strong commitments have already been secured to ensure the project is a blend of private and public resources: the Bank of Oklahoma has donated a 90,000-square-foot piece of land and the George Kaiser Family Foundation has offered a $1 million challenge grant to encourage additional giving. To capitalize on these initial commitments, a state bond issue is needed for the initial capital investment required for the project. The Chamber is encouraging its members and community leaders to take action and support OKPOP. Sign this online letter of support to send to legislators. And follow Project OKPOP on Facebook and Twitter. 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. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. . 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. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. . HB 3061, Steele/Bingman: Creates the Oklahoma Tax Reform Act of 2012. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. . SB 1234, Mazzei/Dank: Limits refunds relating to oil and gas exploration paid to all claimants annually to $50 million. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. . 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. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. . SB 1464, Bingman/McNiel: Adds definitions of certain areas to the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. . 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. Signed by the Governor on May 9. 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. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. . HB 3038, Osborn/Jolley (Laffer Proposal): Updates dates, rates and specifications for the Oklahoma Income Tax Code. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. Franchise Tax: . SB 1436, Mazzei/Dank: Repeals sections of law related to franchise tax. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. 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. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. 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. Sent to the Governor on May 8. . SB 1628, Bingman/Peters: Modifies language relating to "The Interstate Oil Compact Fund of Oklahoma." Sent to the Governor on May 8. 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. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. . 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. Senate refused to concur in House amendments. 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. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. 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. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. 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. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. . 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. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. 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. Appointed to the House and Senate General Conference Committees on Appropriations. . 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. Set on the Senate floor agenda to adopt House amendments on May 10. 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:
|
 |
||
Copyright 2008, Tulsa Metro Chamber, All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by Cubic  |
||
