The Owasso Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors embraces the belief that a sound governmental affairs policy is essential to the economic vitality of our city, county and state.
Additionally, the Owasso Chamber is a strong advocate for legislation that is pro-business and nurtures economic growth and job expansion. The Owasso Chamber supports regional, broad-based partnerships, created to facilitate passage of legislation that will have a positive impact on business and industry.
Collectively, regional alliances serve as a unified body of influence with elected officials. For these reason, the Chamber passed a resolution in concert with the Tulsa Metro Chamber and other area Chambers supporting the following policy positions for the 2008 State Legislative session:
Support increased funding, including removing the trigger mechanism for increased funding to ODOT and state funding of municipal roads and bridges needed. Support additional funding for the Opportunity Fund, funding to expand bio-medical researching, including through public/private partnerships, funding of OCAST and the EDGE fund as economic development efforts for the state. Support efforts to provide workforce incentives to train, retain and recruit skilled workers to meet the demands of employers. Support funding for additional days of instruction, as well as related efforts for more efficient school days, performance pay pilot projects and increased base pay for teachers. Support the full reimbursement to the county for al costs of housing state prisoners in county jails. Support an event incentive program utilizing increased state sales tax generated by competitive events attracted to Oklahoma as incentive to bring such events to Oklahoma. Support public private partnership for early childhood education for at risk children. Provide durable, consistent and predictable funding for Medicaid and indigent care providers utilizing a provider fee to maximize federal opportunities for Medicaid and to maintain providers at the Upper Payment Level. Support funding to finish the John Hope Franklin Memorial. Support increased public funding for the Tulsa area medical schools, stabilization of OSU’s teaching hospital and long term operational funding plan for the university sponsored healthplexes.
