The First Word 02.02.2024 |
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This week the regular legislative session begins on February 5th and last week, the Governor called for a Special Session so the legislature could take action on cutting the state income tax. The House voted to approve the reduction, but the Senate did not agree. Negotiations have not gone well between the Governor, Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Pro Tem Greg Treat has been vocal about not wanting to pass any measure prior to receiving the receipts from 2023. Click here to hear Pro Tem Treat’s comments regarding the Special Session. February 1, 2024 Lawmakers filed more than 2,075 new bills and joint resolutions for the 2024 regular session. Senators filed 841 Senate bills and 13 joint resolutions, including more than 150 bills that were filed as part of Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat's new budget transparency plan. House members filed a total of 1,210 bills and 12 joint resolutions. That includes just over 270 shell bills. More bills will be filed throughout the session, particularly to implement the 2025 budget. The 2024 legislative session will convene at noon February 5. After brief floor sessions in their respective chambers, the House and Senate will meet jointly to hear Gov. Kevin Stitt's state of the state address.
Prohibition on Lobbyists & Lobbyist Principals from donating to legislators or legislative campaigns begins. (21 O.S. §178.1(G))
Election of President Pro Tempore Designate of the Senate: Monday, February 12th (Internal Date)
Election of Speaker Designate of the House: Monday, March 4th (Internal Date)
Candidate Filing for Legislative, Federal, and Statewide Offices: April 3rd through April 5th (OK State Election Board)
End of Contribution Blackout Period for Lobbyists and Lobbyist Principals: Thursday, June 6th (21 O.S. §178.1(G))
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Tax Package Passes House with R&D Fix
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, legislation that will provide engineering companies with relief from crippling tax increases and restore incentives to promote cutting-edge R&D.
- With passage of H.R. 7024, the House voted to pause the five-year amortization mandate until 2026.
- This restores the tax code’s traditional approach to incentivize R&D by allowing engineering firms and other innovators to fully deduct R&D investments the year they are incurred.
The bottom line: The House voted overwhelmingly to pass H.R. 7024 by a vote of 357 to 70. This sends a strong signal to the Senate to follow the House and approve its version of the bill.
What's next: H.R. 7024 now moves to the Senate. ACEC continues to urge its members to reach out to their Senators to support a yes vote to send the bill to the president's desk.
Oklahoma Delegation Members Voting Yes: Cole, Hern, Lucas and Bice
Voting No: Brecheen
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Register Now: PSMJ Principals Bootcamp!
What: PSMJ Principals Bootcamp
Where: 1601 NW Expressway, OKC OK 73118
When: Feb 7-8
Early Bird (before Jan 3) Member $1,795 / Non-Member $1895
Regular Member $2,095/ Non-Member $2,195
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ACEC National College Scholarships
- Morrissey Goodale Helping Hand Scholarship - $15,000
- Morrissey Goodale is proud to offer a $15,000 needs-based scholarship to provide an exceptional financial opportunity for a low-income student pursing a career in the field of engineering.
- Morrissey Goodale Diversity in STEM Scholarship - $15,000
- With a commitment to promoting diversity and educational opportunities in engineering fields, Morrissey Goodale is proud to offer a $15,000 scholarship grant towards tuition.
- College of Fellows Scholar of the Year - $13,000
- This scholarship will be awarded to a Senior who has demonstrated a high level of excellence in academics and leadership, work experience and an understanding of consulting engineering.
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IMEG Scholarship - $10,000 (30 - $10,000 awards available)
- IMEG awards individual scholarships of up to $10,000 to 30 students nationwide who are pursuing a degree in engineering.
- NCEES Professional Licensure Scholarship - $5,000 (one $5,000 available for each state plus the District of Columbia)
- This scholarship will award funding to students who have a career goal of becoming a professional engineer or professional surveyor.
- ACEC Land Surveyors True North Scholarship - $5,000
- The ACEC Land Surveyors True North Scholarship was created to assist in the continued growth of young Surveyors / Geospatial technicians and Professionals, and to ensure advancement of future Professionals.
- ACEC Life/Health Trust Scholarship -$5,000
- This scholarship should be awarded to any engineering student with a priority to students with a high-Grade Point Average and those with financial need.
- J.A. Watts Diversity in Engineering Scholarship - $5,000
- The J.A. Watts, Inc. Diversity in Engineering Scholarship will award funding to students of color who have been traditionally underrepresented in the field of engineering.
- Kimley-Horn Diversity in STEM Scholarship - $5,000
- This scholarship will award funding to students of color who have been traditionally underrepresented in the field of engineering and attend a Historically Black College or University.
- Kimley-Horn Diversity in STEM Scholarship (Need-Based) $5,000
- This scholarship will award funding to students of color who have been traditionally underrepresented in the field of engineering.
- Lee Rice LRE Water Scholarship - $7,500
- Students must be enrolled in their junior, senior or 5th year, or pursuing a master’s degree in engineering geology, water engineering or natural resource engineering related fields.
- POWER Engineers Empower Scholarship - $5,000
- This scholarship will award funding to students who demonstrate a critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income) studying in the field of Engineering.
- POWER Engineers Inclusion Scholarship – $5,000
- This scholarship will award funding to students from minority groups who have been traditionally underrepresented in the field of Engineering and attend.
- Stanley Consultants Diversity in Engineering Scholarship - $5,000
- This scholarship will award funding to students of color who have been traditionally underrepresented in the field of engineering.
- Stanley Consultants Helping Hand Scholarship - $5,000
- This scholarship will award funding to students facing financial barriers in their pursuit of higher education.
- CASE Scholarship - $2,500
- This scholarship will award funding to a student enrolled in a Master’s degree program for Structural Engineering.
- Small Firm Coalition Scholarship - $2,500
- This scholarship will be awarded to a student who has demonstrated a high level of excellence in academics and leadership, work experience and an understanding of consulting engineering.
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PAC Giving
Thank you for your generous support of our pac. We are about to enter an election year and your contribution will be critical in electing legislators supportive of our agenda.
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Upcoming Events
Feb 7-8
PSMJ Principals in OKC
1601 NW Expressway, OKC OK 73118
Early Bird (before Jan 3) Member $1,795 / Non-Member $1895
Regular Member $2,095/ Non-Member $2,195
Feb 8
Board and General Membership Meeting + EEA Ceremony
230 PM Board / 4 PM General Membership / 5 PM EEA Ceremony
Credit Union House
631 E. Hill St
OKC OK 73105
May 9
Board and Quarterly Membership Meeting
Tulsa, OK
Save the Date(s)
ACEC National Conference
Washington DC
May 13-16
ACEC Midwest States Conference
Kansas City, MO
June 12-14
ACEC Fall Conference
New Orleans, LA
October 20-23
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Mike Thompson
President & CEO
220 N.E. 28th Street, Suite 135
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
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Phone: (405) 525-7696
Fax: (405) 557-1820
Email: mike.thompson@acecok.org
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