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| 05.29.12 |
| Last Friday marked the end to a hectic final week of the 2012 legislative session. Legislators passed a budget late in the afternoon on Thursday, paving the way for legislative priorities to begin moving through both chambers and to the governor’s desk prior to the adjournment of session, known as Sine Die. The session saw many OneVoice agenda victories, including $7 million appropriated for the Quick Action Closing Fund, increased resources for additional physician residencies, and the restoration of transportation funding to appropriate levels. Quick Action Closing Fund Robustly funding the Quick Action Closing Fund will ensure Oklahoma will be able to competitively attract and retain high-skilled jobs and companies in the state. With the legislature’s action this session, we now have a vital tool in eliminating Oklahoma’s competitive disadvantage with Texas, Arkansas and 30 other states across the nation. Transportation Funding Transportation infrastructure will receive a significant boost over the coming years thanks to the action taken by legislators this session. The OneVoice coalition has lobbied consistently for increased funding for roads and bridges and for motor vehicle fees to be utilized for the purpose for which they were intended – transportation. HB 2248, in conjunction with SB 1643, will direct an additional $18 million to transportation funding and will allow all 293 currently unfunded bridges on the ODOT eight-year plan to be completed. HB 2249 and SB 1642 address county infrastructure needs and will result in the County Improvements for Roads and Bridges (CIRB) Fund receiving an additional 5 percent of motor vehicle licensing fees and penalties – an increase to more than $105 million from the previous $80 million budget. The Tulsa Metro Chamber and OneVoice coalition applaud the state legislature and governor for investing in our transportation infrastructure and working toward utilizing transportation funding solely for transportation projects. Increased Funding for Physician Residency Slots A top success for the OneVoice coalition during the 2012 legislative session was gaining funding for the expansion of physician residency slots. Ranking 49th in the number of physicians per capita, Oklahoma’s health care infrastructure shows significant gaps in its ability to meet the needs of citizens, especially in underserved urban and rural areas. By appropriating an additional $3 million for in-state physician residency slots, we can begin addressing our state’s health disparities by ensuring Oklahomans have access to the health care providers vital to a high quality of life. OKPOP Museum As the only bond issue to pass out of its chamber of origin, the OKPOP Museum project gained significant traction during the 2012 legislative session. While the project was not put forth for a vote in the House due to the urgency of other issues on the last day of the legislative session, private donors and Oklahomans across the state remain excited about the project. In the interim, more preliminary work for the museum will be done, and the detailed construction and operations plan honed even further. The Chamber and its OneVoice partners enter summer with renewed optimism to achieve success in next year’s session. Education Funding As one of the top priorities on the state OneVoice legislative agenda, education funding remains one of our primary concerns. Our state’s education system continues to grapple with the funding cuts of the past few years, and will now face a flat budget, which puts a real strain on schools’ ability to deliver a quality education to Oklahoma students. We will continue advocating for increased funding to ensure Oklahoma’s education system will meet the expectations of a highly-skilled business environment. State and national governments are imposing higher expectations for student achievement. Oklahoma’s workplaces desperately need higher levels of skill and education. Our future economic competiveness is threatened if the state continues to impose fiscal constraints on education funding. SJR 52 The legislature has sent SJR 52 to a vote of the people. Upon approval by voters in November, this legislation will provide a future of certainty and reassurance that intangible property - tools that enable businesses to be successful - will not be subject to a burdensome tax that put them at a competitive disadvantage. Investment/New Jobs Incentives Economic incentives such as the Investment New Jobs and Historic Tax Credit were preserved, further increasing the state’s opportunity to attract and retain business and industry in Oklahoma. Additional sales tax incentives were authorized, which will support economic development in other key industries Tulsa’s Future has identified as important to economic growth in the Tulsa region, including the energy, aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors. Endowed Chairs The legislature identified more than $70 million to support endowed chairs at our state’s universities. This will allow Tulsa-area institutions to fill backlogged endowed chair positions, which in turn helps attract quality professors and spurs program growth. 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. . SB 1230, Mazzei/Dank (Senate Republican Proposal): Modifies and eliminates certain tax credits, deductions, and exemptions granted by the state of Oklahoma; limits amounts and types of tax incentives to be received and claimed by individuals and business; EMERGENCY. No action taken before Sine Die. . HB 2621, Johnson/Mazzei: Modifies provisions for transferability of tax credits including wind turbines, railroad expenditures and energy efficient residences; EMERGENCY. No action taken before Sine Die. . 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. No action taken before Sine Die. . HB 3061, Steele/Bingman: Creates the Oklahoma Tax Reform Act of 2012. No action taken before Sine Die. . SB 1234, Mazzei/Dank: Limits refunds relating to oil and gas exploration paid to all claimants annually to $50 million. No action taken before Sine Die. . 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. Sent to the Governor on May 24. . SB 1464, Bingman/McNiel: Adds definitions of certain areas to the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program. Sent to the governor on May 25. . 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: . SB 1230, Mazzei/Dank (Senate Republican Proposal): Modifies and eliminates certain tax credits, deductions, and exemptions granted by the state of Oklahoma; limits amounts and types of tax incentives to be received and claimed by individuals and business; EMERGENCY. No action taken before Sine Die. . HB 3061, Steele/Bingman (Governor Fallin's Proposal): Creates the Oklahoma Tax Reform Act of 2012; EMERGENCY. No action taken before Sine Die. . HB 3038, Osborn/Jolley (Laffer Proposal): Updates dates, rates and specifications for the Oklahoma Income Tax Code. No action taken before Sine Die. Franchise Tax: . SB 1436, Mazzei/Dank: Repeals sections of law related to franchise tax. Sent to the governor on May 25. 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. Filed with the secretary of state without the governor’s signature on May 25. 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. Signed by the governor on May 14. . SB 1628, Bingman/Peters: Modifies language relating to "The Interstate Oil Compact Fund of Oklahoma." Signed by the governor on May 14. 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. Sent to the governor on May 25. . 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. Sent to the governor on May 25. 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. No action taken before Sine Die. 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. Filed with the secretary of state without the governor’s signature on May 25. 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. Sent to the governor on May 25. . 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. Sent to the governor on May 25. 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. Signed by the governor on May 25. . 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. No action taken before Sine Die. 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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