Last Day to Register for Public Affairs Forum!
Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to hear from Oklahoma’s legislative leaders directly, as they discuss their upcoming agendas and the pressing issues facing your business in the coming year. We’ll also hear from one of Washington’s top political analysts, Bruce Mehlman . He'll break down the results of the midterm elections – and how shifts in Congress and emerging political priorities will affect the entire business community. Learn more or register today !

Tuesday, December 4, 2018
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum | 1700 NE 63rd Street, OKC 73111

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.    Board of Directors Meeting (breakfast to be served)
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Public Affairs Forum Networking Hour
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.    Public Affairs Forum (lunch to be served)


While today is the last day to register online, on-site registration will be available.

Contact: Lindsey Sparks
Stitt Begins Naming Top Cabinet Officials  
On Tuesday, Governor-Elect Kevin Stitt began announcing the names of some of his top-level cabinet officials. Tulsa’s Deputy Mayor Michael Junk was named Chief of Staff.

“As Tulsa's Deputy Mayor, Michael worked hand in hand with me over the last two years to lead Tulsa's turnaround,” Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said in a statement. “Now, he can use that experience and knowledge in service to a similar turnaround across the entire State of Oklahoma.”

Michael Rogers, a former state representative from Broken Arrow and a former chair of the House education committee, was named Secretary of State. Donelle Harder, Stitt’s communications director during the campaign, was named Deputy Secretary of State. Both individuals have previous government experience that will help Stitt achieve his goal of creating an administration that includes a mix of “insiders and outsiders,” as he stated previously this month.

Also named this week was Kenneth Wagner to serve as Secretary of Energy and the Environment. Wagner, a former EPA official, is currently a lawyer from Tulsa.

“Wagner is well respected among environment leaders, energy industry experts and state regulators in neighboring states,” Stitt said. “He will play a critical role in advising my administration on policy that encourages robust and responsible development of our natural resources, ensures clean air and clean water for all Oklahomans....”

To read more on this story, click here
Workers’ Comp Marijuana Case
The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals recently reversed a decision by the Workers’ Compensation Commission regarding drug testing after workplace injuries.

In the Rose v. Berry Plastics Corp. case, an injured employee tested positive for marijuana after he was injured on the job. The employee testified during the administrative hearing that he smoked marijuana approximately 10 hours before the injury. The Administrative Law Judge awarded the claimant benefits for his injury finding that he overcame the rebuttable presumption that his injury was caused by the use of illegal drugs found in 85A Section 2(9)(b)(4). However, the Workers’ Comp Commission reversed that decision.

The Court of Civil Appeals then reversed the Commission’s decision and stated that “while every intoxicated person will show the presence of an intoxicating substance in their blood, the reverse is not true. The presence of an intoxicating substance in the blood does not automatically mean that the person is intoxicated.” The Court of Civil Appeals found that the employee proved by clear and convincing evidence that he was not intoxicated at the time of the workplace injury even though he tested positive for marijuana. We will continue to monitor this issue closely.

Contact: Adria Berry
Local Chambers: Join the Small Business Chamber Alliance Program! 
Since 1926, we’ve been fighting for business at the State Capitol and partnering with local chambers of commerce to provide vital resources at the community level. Recently, we announced the launch of a new partnership with local chambers designed specifically to support their members: The Small Business Chamber Alliance.

Through this program, any small business (with 25 employees or less) that belongs to an affiliate local chamber can take advantage of our Small Business Chamber Alliance to: 

  • SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS – Open the door to new connections and resources for your members that will keep them informed, engaged and help their business thrive 

  • GAIN ACCESS – Take advantage of the State Chamber of Oklahoma’s association health plan, Oklahoma Chamber Blue, an affordable health care solution which includes medical, dental and vision benefits for small business 

  • GROW MEMBERSHIP – Attract new members with a strong retention tool: dual membership for your small business members through participation in the Alliance 
 
The State Chamber values small businesses in Oklahoma and appreciates the vital role of local chambers of commerce. 
 
Contact:  Nicole Boyles
Occupational Licensing Advisory Commission Meets
The newly formed bi-partisan Occupational Licensing Advisory Commission met this week to interview representatives from various industries including accounting, behavioral health and music therapy. The goal of the Commission is to determine which occupational licenses are necessary for the protection of Oklahomans and which ones are overly burdensome or arbitrary. The Commission was created by SB1475, one of the State Chamber Research Foundation’s OK2030-supported bills, during the 2018 legislative session.

Contact: Adria Berry
In the News
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

Need assistance? Please contact info@okstatechamber.com . Do not reply directly to this email.