Oklahoma Begins Tight Budget Year – Last week marked the beginning of the state’s new budget year.  For 2011, all but four state agencies saw their budgets cut as Gov. Brad Henry and top legislative leaders worked to fill a $1.2 billion hole.  In the process of plugging the hole, the legislature placed a moratorium on a number of economic development incentives, and passed a 1 percent tax on health insurance claims paid.  The 2011 budget year is the second year in a row that state agencies have been working with less.  As reported by Julie Bisbee in NewsOK.com, the budget includes ”. . .  $540 million in federal stimulus funds, $223.5 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund and about $180 million in revenue increases in the form of fees, taxes and increased enforcement on existing taxes.” 
Contact Ronn Cupp.

Primary Election Voters' Guides Now Online – So who’s running in YOUR district? Are they focused on solutions to improve our economy? Check it out at www.okprosperity.com.  Voters' Guides for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, State Superintendent of Schools – Plus your Congressional and State Legislative candidates – are now available.  Is your candidate shown as “FTR” on their Voters' Guide?  That means they Failed To Respond to our Candidate Survey on economic issues.  But it’s not too late.  Please urge them to send their answers in today so you know where they stand.
Contact Kris Rush or Lindsey Sparks.

New Study Praises Oklahoma’s Tort Reforms - In a new study, U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2010 Report (available at pacificresearch.org), Pacific Research measured which states impose the highest, and the lowest, tort liability costs both in absolute and in relative terms.  Their study also measured relative tort litigation risks across states.  Moreover, it examined which states have rules on the books that, if implemented and enforced, help reduce lawsuit abuse and tort costs, resulting in a more balanced, predictable, and affordable civil-justice system.  According to that report, “The state that has the best tort rules on the books - and that will be heading in the right direction if the rules are fully implemented - is Oklahoma, followed by Texas, Ohio, Colorado, and Mississippi.”
Contact Mike Seney.

Prosperity Report – Lots of science and medical news this week.  OK Medical Research Foundation is on track to hire 20 scientists. ProCure Proton Therapy Center celebrates a one-year milestone, cancer cures, and 65 employees. St. Anthony expands telemedicine to several rural communities.  Tulsa entrepreneur Jim Stovall’s blindness leads to the birth of Narrative Television Network, bringing TV to life for the blind – Plus a thriving publishing and speaking business.  489 new businesses incorporated last week and 13,235 year to date.
Contact Kris Rush.

Reinstatement Of Superfund Tax In The Offing? – The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) writes that there is growing interest in Congress to reinstate the Superfund Tax.  The three-part tax, which expired in 1995, would impact much of corporate America, with the oil and gas and chemical industries facing an even greater burden.  Earlier this year, the Administration included a provision to reinstate the Superfund Tax in its FY 2011 Budget plan that is estimated to raise $19 billion over 10 years with $13 billion coming from the Corporate Environmental Income Tax (CEIT), which applies to most corporations. The remaining $6 billion would come from excise taxes on the oil and gas and chemical industries.  Several bills have been introduced, including HR 564 by House Ways and Means Committee member Cong. Earl Blumenauer, (D-OR); S. 3125 by Senate Finance Committee member Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL); and S. 3164 by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). 
Contact Ronn Cupp.

Federal Rules For Group And Individual Health Care Plans Being Established – As a result of the recently enacted health care reform law, the federal government is developing rulemaking to implement many of the changes set forth in the legislation. After September 23, plans will be forced to eliminate lifetime limits, cover dependents to the age of 26 and will not be permitted to rescind coverage in case of illness. Another change deems group health plans in existence on March 23, 2010 (when President Obama signed the legislation into law) “grandfathered.” As such, these plans do not have to comply with many of the mandates associated with the new federal health care reform, such as: coverage of preventative care without cost-sharing; access to emergency services without prior authorization; and participation in clinical trials.  To see a copy of the new interim final rule (established by the Department of Treasury; the Department of Labor; and, the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out these and other provisions), click here.  Comments must be received by an agency on or before August 16th.
Contact Matt Robison.

Call Today To Reserve Your Room For Our 2010 Washington D.C. Fly-In – The State Chamber’s 2010 Washington Fly-In is set for September 13th & 14th, with the Liaison Capitol Hill as the headquarters hotel.  Reservations can be made by calling 202/638-1616 or 866/233-4642.  Be sure to tell them that you are with the Oklahoma State Chamber Annual Fly-In group to guarantee the special group rate of $230. The cut-off date for reservations is Monday, August 16th!  The State Chamber’s Congressional Activities Committee met recently to begin planning the program for this year’s Fly-In.  Events include the popular Congressional Breakfast, Congressional Reception and meetings with Oklahoma’s U.S. senators and representatives.  More details coming soon!
Contact Ronn Cupp.