 |
|
|
|
 |
|
||
 |
September 1, 2006
Coalition Formed To Pass State Question 725 – A coalition to support the passage of State Question 725, the Quality Investment Act, has been formed to initiate a grassroots campaign. State Question 725 proposes incentives for manufacturers who are “at risk” of closing or leaving the state and who commit to make an investment in updating their plants and equipment. Passage of the question would provide Oklahoma a tool for keeping jobs in Oklahoma that might otherwise be lost due to plant closings. Current members of the coalition include The State Chamber, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Tulsa Metro Chamber, the Oklahoma Professional Economic Development Council, the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority, the Bartlesville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Blackwell Chamber of Commerce & Industrial Authority, the Ponca City Development Authority and the Lawton-Ft. Sill Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Other coalition members are being sought. State Question 725 is on the November general election ballot. FREE Election Video For Your Staff Meetings – Want to join the growing movement of Oklahoma employers who are preparing their employees to go to the polls informed this election season – but don't know where to start? We've got just the ticket for you! Click here to view a terrific 4.5 minute video about the Oklahoma Prosperity Project and how it helps your workforce "vote smart." It's a great tool to help you introduce the importance of the elections to your company and Oklahoma's economy. For your free DVD of the video, contact Laura Wheeler.
State Chamber Submits Response To National Healthcare Reform Effort – This week, The State Chamber submitted a response to the Citizens’ Health Care Working Group which was charged by federal law to research and recommend reforms to the nation’s healthcare system. These recommendations shall be submitted to the President and Congress for consideration and potential implementation. As referenced in The State Chamber’s submission, “the focus should remain on assuring that healthcare programs and policies are adequate, efficient and affordable. Comprehensive market-based initiatives, if properly implemented, can and will accomplish this goal. When this occurs, more businesses and individuals will be able to afford and maintain health insurance coverage.” To see a copy of The State Chamber’s recommendations to the Working Group, click here.
State Supreme Court Throws Out TABOR Question – Thursday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court re-affirmed the referee’s recommendation to strike State Question 726, the so-called “Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights”, from the November general election ballot. A petition was circulated last fall by a group called Oklahomans for Action. The petition was certified, but both legal and signature challenges were subsequently filed. The referee’s decision related to the signature challenge. Last week, a coalition called Oklahomans for Responsible Government, composed of business and education leaders, held a news conference to re-affirm opposition to the question. State Chamber Board member Kell Kelly is chairman of the organization and State Chamber Chairman Ike Glass is co-chairman. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma Hospital Association are also among the members of the coalition. Unemployment “Experience Period” To Change – (NOTE: The article set out below is the second of three we will be publishing dealing with your unemployment taxes, experience ratings and protests.) Beginning with the 2007 tax rate, the “experience period” used to calculate the employer’s unemployment tax rate will change. The new “experience period” will be the most recent twelve (12) consecutive, completed calendar quarters occurring before July 1 of the year immediately preceding the year for which the employer’s tax rate is being calculated. Previously, the “experience period” was the most recent twelve (12) consecutive, completed calendar quarters occurring before January 1 of the year for which the employer’s tax rate was being calculated; or the most recent three calendar years occurring before the year for which the tax rate was being calculated. Hopefully this change will provide Oklahoma employers with an additional management planning resource and help ensure another successful business year in Oklahoma.
Dick Rush Celebrates 20 Years As President/CEO – On September 1, 1986 the board of directors of The State Chamber hired Dick as its new president and chief executive officer. The list of accomplishments of this organization since his hiring is huge, including the passage of right to work in Oklahoma (the only state to ever pass it by a vote of the people); a continuing emphasis on the reality of the global marketplace (including the widening of Oklahoma’s business relationship with China, Brazil and Chile), and probably most importantly, raising the state-wide recognition of The State Chamber as truly “Oklahoma’s Association of Business & Industry”. Congratulations Dick.
Let’s Play Golf! – The State Chamber’s Annual Golf Classic has been scheduled for Monday, October 2nd at The Territory Golf Club just outside Duncan. The event will again feature fabulous door prizes and free gifts combined with a 10:30 shotgun start, lunch on the course and an after-round reception and awards ceremony. This fabulous new course is one of Oklahoma golf’s “Diamonds in the Rough”. Presented as the premier exclusive golf course in southwestern Oklahoma, this “modified target golf” lay-out features rolling hills, large old trees, native grasses and rocky outcroppings. Also up for grabs are Hole-in-One prizes provided by American Fidelity Assurance Company and Billingsley Ford as well as two free Southwest Airlines tickets anywhere they fly! For more information or to register for the outing, click here. |
CHAMPION INVESTORS Platinum Gold Silver Bronze Granite Advisor Investor
|
|
 |
|
||
|
|||
Election 2006 
Federal
State
Congratulations
Calendar
