Legislative Preview, Awards & Political Insights at Public Affairs Forum
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On Tuesday, the State Chamber of Oklahoma hosted its annual Public Affairs Forum, providing members with crucial insights into the 2019 legislative session and emerging business issues. The event included a legislative leaders panel featuring Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd and Speaker of the House Charles McCall.
The panel discussed their caucus agendas for the upcoming session as well as education, taxes, medical marijuana and plans for making Oklahoma a top ten state. There was also a keynote address from national political analyst Bruce Mehlman on how recent political shifts and evolving priorities will affect the business community.
“As business leaders, it is your duty to educate policy makers about your business,” said Mehlman as he addressed the crowd. “Legislators come into Congress ready to effect change, and they genuinely want to know about your struggles, successes and what makes business stronger.”
Mehlman also touched on the emerging disruption in our technology and how it affects our politics at the highest levels.
Five members of the legislature were singled out to receive awards from the State Chamber for their service and commitment to Oklahoma businesses. Representative Tammy West was honored with the Rising Star Award while Representative Mark Lepak and Senator Adam Pugh were given the OK2030 Visionary Awards. This year’s recipients of the Guardian of Free Enterprise awards were Representative John Pfeiffer and Senator Roger Thompson.
Our deepest thanks to our
event sponsors, speakers and the hundreds of Oklahomans who joined us for this pivotal glimpse into our political future.
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State Chamber Hosts New Legislator
Business Boot Camp
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With 58 new legislators—the highest turnover in state history—it is especially crucial to quickly orient this group of leaders to the needs and challenges of Oklahoma’s business community.
To that end, the State Chamber held an extended version of its New Legislator Business Boot Camp this week. During the three-day event, prominent business and government leaders helped deepen the new legislators' understanding of complex issues related to health care, oil & natural gas, education, utilities, workers’ compensation, medical marijuana, lawsuit and judicial reform, tribal issues, telecommunications, transportation, the state budget and necessary policy reforms.
“The better educated and quicker you can get them up to speed, the easier it’s going to be during session,” said State Chamber President & CEO Fred Morgan. “I think there is a lot of effort trying to address that right now. This is a pretty conscientious group, and they know there’s a lot to absorb … these people ran for office because they want to make a change and they want to do good. They’re eager to learn.”
Thanks to all of our speakers and panelists as well as the sponsors who made this event possible:
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Civil Justice Council, Oklahoma Agricultural Cooperative Council, Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Pork Council, ONE Gas, the Oklahoma State Medical Association and OK2030. We’d also like to thank the 38 new legislators who came from all across the state for this event. We look forward to working closely with you over the coming months and years!
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New Research Foundation Website Provides Extensive Business & Policy Research
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The State Chamber of Oklahoma Research Foundation launched its new website this week to support the expansion of the organization and its continued efforts to drive business policy in the state. The site provides policymakers, business leaders, the media and the general public with credible and timely research on policies crucial to the state’s success.
“We are excited to launch a website committed to providing high caliber research relevant to policy decisions impacting Oklahoma’s economy, health, workforce, business climate and quality of life,” said State Chamber Research Foundation Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Lepard. “From information on the state’s economy to policies that can help improve Oklahoma’s workforce pipeline, the website is a portal to evidence-based research and analysis on what is being discussed at the state capitol."
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Flu Prevention Resources for Employers
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A healthy workforce results in a more productive workforce. December 2-8, 2018 is National Influenza Vaccination Week and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing helpful resources for employers and their employees on the importance of the influenza vaccination. The
CDC’s website
has communication resources specifically available for employers to assist in flu prevention in the workplace.
Another helpful resource
offers your employees additional tools on prevention, education on the risk factors, etc. The State Chamber supports efforts directed at reducing the cost of health care to Oklahoma businesses, and in the words of Benjamin Franklin: “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
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How to Survive a Wage & Hour Investigation
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The U.S. Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division is providing a free seminar to assist employers with compliance issues. The seminar will explain the role of the Wage and Hour Division, its enforcement of federal labor laws and common violations to avoid. The presentation will also cover common questions related to overtime, exemptions, minimum wage, record keeping and more.
Event Details:
December 18, 2018 (9:30 am – Noon)
SOKC Library – Room A-B
2201 SW 134
th St / Oklahoma City, OK 73170
Employers and representatives from all industries are encouraged to attend. Advance registration is not required but is recommended since seating is limited.
Register today or contact
parker.jessica@dol.gov for more information.
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Our Event Sponsorship Program offers pre-purchased registrations to our four membership-wide annual events (Legislative Reception, Annual Meeting, Golf Classic at Karsten Creek and Public Affairs Forum) plus recognition as an event sponsor at these events.
It's a great way to get your company's name in front of hundreds of Oklahoma's most distinguished business leaders.
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PO Box 53217 | Oklahoma City, OK 73152
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