Podcast: Improving Education Outcomes
In our newest podcast episode , Brent Bushey of Oklahoma Public School Resource Center, Bobby Griffith of Oklahoma Achieves and Sen. Gary Stanislawski (Senate Education Chair) share their insights on the current state of education in Oklahoma and how to improve outcomes for our students and future workforce. From the rise of charter schools to funding equity and five-day school weeks, nothing is off limits!

Check out our recent podcasts on medical marijuana, guns, economic development and more. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes  or  Google Play to get upcoming episodes.
Infrastructure Modernization Plan 
Earlier this month, U.S. Chamber CEO Tom Donohue addressed Congress and unveiled an infrastructure modernization plan that includes expanding public-private partnerships as well as streamlining the permitting process. Donohue emphasized the need for a strong commitment to America’s aging infrastructure saying, “We need to build upon tax reform by significantly increasing infrastructure investment to support long-term economic growth and to compete globally.” Learn more here.

Contact: Cordon
New Appointments to Health and Human Services Agency Boards, Governor’s Cabinet
In a move expected by most, Governor Stitt chose the Oklahoma Health Care Authority as his first agency to appoint board members late last week. Stitt announced his board appointments as Dr. Jean Hausheer, Laura Shamblin, Marc Nuttle, Stanley Hupfeld and Philip Kennedy. In addition, Stitt announced five appointments to the Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services including Courtney Knoblock, Hossein Moini, Kristin Stacy, Dr. A. Jeanne Russell and Gary Cox, as well as five appointments to the Board of Juvenile Affairs: Karen Youngblood, Janet Foss, Stephen Grissom, Mautra Jones and Dr. Amy Emerson. Senate confirmation is not required for these appointments. Each agency now has a nine-member board, thus the leaders of the House and the Senate will nominate the remaining four spots.

Two additional Cabinet appointments were also announced last week. Jerome Loughridge was appointed as Secretary of Health and Mental Health and Dr. Kayse Shrum was appointed as Secretary of Science and Innovation. Both appointments require Senate confirmation and expire in January 2023. These are two new positions on the Governor’s Cabinet. To learn more about the appointments, click here .

Contact: Emily
Criminal Justice Reform: Pardon & Parole
Changes to Oklahoma’s offender parole process passed during the 2018 legislative session are finally being realized. HB 2286 created an administrative parole process for nonviolent offenders who comply with case plans in prison and establishes a geriatric parole release process for inmates who are 60 and older and who have been determined to not be a public safety risk.

The Pardon and Parole Board met last week and paroled about 85% of the offenders on the March 2019 docket by utilizing the administrative parole process that went into effect on November 1, 2018.

In addition to declaring his support for more funding at the Pardon and Parole Board in the upcoming budget, Governor Stitt made three new appointments to the Pardon and Parole Board in late February. Kelly Doyle, Robert Gilliland and Adam Luck will serve four years coterminous with the Governor’s term, ending January 2023.

Contact: Emily
In the News
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Become an Event Sponsor
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.

Click here  for more information or if you have additional questions, please contact Emily Duren .
State Chamber of Oklahoma | www.okstatechamber.com
PO Box 53217 | Oklahoma City, OK 73152

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