|
Oklahoma has finished celebrating its Centennial and now we must look forward to the next 100 years. Our State Chamber is entering its 82nd year as the legislative advocates for Oklahoma business…and we, too, must look forward to see how best we can grow this great state’s economy.
Good planning has served The State Chamber and our members well. With the successful completion of our 2003-2007 Champion Program, our Champion leaders deserve credit for the strong successes this program produced. Here are just a few:
· A more pro-business state legislature, impacted by our groundbreaking Oklahoma Prosperity Project that helped 423,000 employees go to the polls informed on Election Day, 2006.
· Investments in Oklahoma’s roads and bridges more than doubled.
· Fifty local chambers of commerce built local grassroots networks and close ties to their legislators during the session.
· Sensible tax cuts, ultimately reducing personal income tax by 20 percent, restricting the franchise tax, and eliminating the state estate tax.
· Passage of the Quality Investment Act for “at risk” companies.
· Passage of major workers’ compensation reform.
But there is still much to do. That’s why our Board of Directors wrote a new Champion Plan “Leading Oklahoma to the Top” -- a powerful set of strategies that will drive Oklahoma’s economic progress and the competitive edge we need to succeed in the next decade and beyond.
I encourage you to get involved in your State Chamber. It is only as strong as you make it. Get your customers and vendors involved too. You will find a membership application at the end of this publication…please use it to increase our membership and advocacy impact. By working together, speaking with one unified voice, Oklahoma's business community can truly make Oklahoma "The State of Choice for Business.”
Sincerely,
Don Cain
2007-2008 Chairman of the Board
President – AT&T Oklahoma
|
