2013 Legislative Agenda

Edmond Area Legislators

Edmond Chamber of Commerce

89% of chambers conduct a federal fly-in

took

9

civic and business leaders to

DC

to advocate for

Edmond

“Local chambers have greater opportunities and imperatives to influence policy today than they did just a few years ago.”

- Senator Clark Jolley, District 41

Of chambers actively engaged with a higher education community

65%

feel their efforts are effective

63% Of chambers are very interested in becoming more active in higher education

Senator Clark Jolley District 41 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Rm. 519 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 405-521-5622 jolley@oksenate.gov

Representative Randy Grau District 81 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Rm. 537A Oklahoma City, OK 73105 405-557-7360 Randy.Grau@okhouse.gov

Senator Greg Treat District 47 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Rm. 530 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 405-521-5632 treat@oksenate.gov

Representative Randy McDaniel - District 83 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Rm. 438 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 405-557-7409 randy.mcdaniel@okhouse.gov

Representative Jason W. Murphey - District 31 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Rm. 437 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 405-557-7350 jason.murphey@okhouse.gov

Representative Marian Cooksey - District 39 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Rm 409 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 (405) 557-7342 mariancooksey@okhouse.gov

Representative Mike Turner District 82 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Rm. 400 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Phone: (405)557-7357 mike.turner@okhouse.gov

Representative Lewis H. Moore - District 96 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Rm. 329 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Phone: (405)557-7400 lewis.moore@okhouse.gov

Senator Rob Johnson - District 22 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Rm. 413 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Phone: (405)521-5592 - johnsonr@oksenate.gov

United States Senator James M. Inhofe 205 Russell Senate Office Bldg Washington, D.C. 20510 202-224-4721

Senator Tom Coburn 172 Russell Senate Office Bldg Washington, D.C. 20510 202-224-5754

Representative James Lankford 228 Cannon House Office Bldg Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-2132

The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 Legislative Agenda highlights issues of particular importance to the future of Edmond, with the opportunity to attract and expand quality businesses to make a more diversified and prosperous economy in Oklahoma.

Mission The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce is the voice for business. We enhance economic opportunity and quality of life in Edmond.

825 East Second Street / Suite 100, Edmond, OK 73034 Tel. 405.341.2808 Fax 405.340.5512 www.edmondchamber.com

OUTSIDE COVER

Legislative

2013

Advocacy

Agenda Presented by:

Governmental Relations Partner Sponsors:

The 2013 Legislative Agenda of the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce Edmond Priorities

Government Reform

• Medical Examiners Office - Support immediate construction of a new building and equipment for the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

• Transportation - Seek assistance from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in addressing critical current and future critical infrastructure needs for the City of Edmond.

Economic Growth Oklahoma must foster opportunities for attracting, retaining and expanding business.

• Support reform in the Workers Compensation Program to address the problem of the high cost to businesses and the low benefit to workers.

• Support performance based incentives including the Oklahoma large and small Quality Jobs Program.

• Support continued funding for a closing fund (Opportunity Fund) which would allow influential added incentives for companies which provide significant new employment in targeted industry sectors to make Oklahoma more competitive with surrounding states.

• Strengthen access to Career Tech programs and services for employers and high school students.

• Restore funding for Oklahoma Small Business Development Centers.

• Support “Performance Based Funding” for public and higher education.

Efficiency in state government is a key to maximizing resources.

• Ensure equitable distribution of monies required to fulfill legislated mandates.

• Oppose un-funded/underfunded/unfairly funded legislative mandates as they affect education, business and municipal operating budgets.

• Support initiatives to increase the number of college graduates and industry-certified credentials in Oklahoma.

• Support major pension reform for public employees in Oklahoma that provides for the health and sustainability of the program by addressing unfunded liabilities while continuing to provide a quality benefit.

• Oppose any legislation intended to allow college students to carry weapons on college or career tech campuses.

• Support continued efforts to remove and limit regulations which inhibit economic growth and limit local government.

Transportation A quality transportation infrastructure is critical to sustained economic growth.

• Support efforts to restore full funding for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

Education The University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma Christian University, the Edmond Public Schools and the Francis Tuttle Technology Center are vital to the continued strength of the Edmond area economy.

• Encourage the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to equitably fund UCO and other universities according to an improved funding process.

• Support the funding of the Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant program for Oklahoma college students.

Water Resources

Water Resources

• Ensure that Oklahoma water laws, policies and regulations are administered at the state level and meet the needs of all business, industries and communities.

Thank You The Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes the significant progress during the 2012 Legislative Session. Thank you, Oklahoma legislators, for this contribution to our community.

We encourage continued groundbreaking reform during the 2013 Session. It is our hope that we will see further funding for improvement of our transportation infrastructure and support the relocation of the medical examiners office to Edmond.

We want Edmond, and Oklahoma, to be competitive in the regional, national and global marketplace.