lt. governor's policy report

2015Lt. Governor’s Policy and Issues Report

Oklahoma is a resilient state with a very unique heritage. No state was formed and settled the way in which our home state was created. We continue to show the rest of the nation how our work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit lead to success as our home-grown businesses have expanded and we continue to to be relevant and competitive in economic development by recruiting and retaining businesses from around the country. As a result, Oklahoma is a place to head for, not just be from. I share this story, Oklahoma’s story, whenever possible.

As most know, I make it a point to bring ideas to the capitol from Oklahomans across the state. In 2014, I once again traveled to all 77 counties for the fourth time as Lt. Governor and sixth time in my career. I have been honored to meet with many small business owners, economic developers and educators. My travel has been purposeful and mission driven and this report is a reflection from citizens that attended various town halls and meetings.

This is the fourth year the Lt. Governor’s Policy and Issues Report has been presented to Governor Mary Fallin and legislative leaders to help meet legislative goals that address our challenges.

One of the roles I am able to focus on as Lt. Governor is as the state’s Small Business Advocate. Much of my travel, summits, and regional meetings have focused on improving the economic climate in the state for small businesses. At each meeting I hold with business leaders, I ask two non-rhetorical questions: Based on your life experience and your business model, what is the greatest impediment to growth? And how can the state remove or help alleviate that impediment? The responses to these questions are the basis for much of this year’s Lt. Governor’s Policy and Issues Report.

Oklahoma is the best state in the nation. I look forward to working with legislators from both parties to accomplish the people’s business and continue to move Oklahoma forward.

Sincerely,

Todd LambLt. Governor of Oklahoma

Todd LambOffice of the Lieutenant Governor

State of Oklahoma

Lt. Governor’s 2015 Policy and Issues Report

In addition to addressing taxation and over-regulation, a key component of having a positive business climate is having an unemployment insurance system which provides a safety net for workers while also allowing businesses to compete in a global market. After Lt. Governor Lamb helped bring this issue to the forefront, the legislature did enact HB 2505 which tightened the definition of “misconduct” so unemployment compensation does not become a refuge for those terminated due to their own actions.

UNEMPLOYMENT

CO M P E N SAT I O N

r e f o r m

Unfortunately, a disquieting “culture” has penetrated our state. Just as happened in the realm of workers’ compensation, the unemployment compensation system has been abused and at times been treated as an entitlement instead of a remedy as it was intended. Far too often, it is easier for businesses to pay a claim than to contest it. While the problem may not be as large a concern in Oklahoma as in other parts of the nation, it is still presents an unnecessary burden to employers and is an impediment to job creation, hurting all Oklahomans. It is important to continue vigilance in eradicating the entitlement and depending culture by further reforming unemployment compensation – an area where even one fraudulent case can have a sizeable impact on a small business.

The fi rst role of government is to provide safety and security for its citi zens. Oklahoma must have a safe and secure environment so families and businesses are willing to invest their ti me and resources in our state.

Lt. Governor Lamb was pleased he was able to lead the charge in helping the Oklahoma Highway Patrol secure a signifi cant raise during the last legislati ve session (an issue highlighted in the 2014 Lt. Governor’s Policy and Issues Report). As can be seen, the raise was necessary to keep Oklahoma competi ti ve with surrounding states in compensati ng this criti cal component of our public safety system.

Simply paying Oklahoma’s Highway Patrol more is not enough. Oklahoma must conti nue to invest in new technologies and conti nually evaluate the effi ciencies and eff ecti veness

of Oklahoma’s enti re criminal justi ce system. Oklahomans are growing more concerned about the number of citi zens incarcerated as well as wondering if our current programs are being eff ecti ve in stopping repeat off enses.

Oklahoma must do a bett er job of bringing the enti re law enforcement community together. District Att orneys, Sheriff s, Deputi es, OSBI, police Departments, the Highway Patrol, the judiciary and the Department of Correcti ons must work jointly to share informati on and bett er communicate with each other a plan that helps make Oklahoma both safer and saves taxpayer money. As Oklahoma makes decisions on how to proceed, it is vital to have accurate informati on about incarcerates, their actual crimes and their histories. Oklahoma cannot allow dangerous people on the street just because of budget constraints.

Public safety is the most basic function of government. That’s one reason I was proud to serve as a Secret Service agent and why I will continue to fi ght for legislation making our families, businesses and properties safer from crime.- Lt. Governor Todd Lamb

Protecting Our Citizens

$25,000 $35,000 $45,000 $55,000

Colorado

Oklahoma

New Mexico

Texas

Missouri

Kansas

Arkansas 2013 Entry Level Pay*

2015 Entry Level Pay*

LT Governor Todd Lamb has been, and is a strong supporter of the law enforcement community and specifically Oklahoma’s State Troopers. As a former law enforcement

officer, Lt. Governor Lamb understands the sacrifices Troopers make to serve Oklahoma and the gravity of decisions that are made in the line of duty. The men and women of the OHP are extremely fortunate and grateful to have a leader like Todd Lamb.

- Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael C. Thompson

OKLAHOMA PASSED FOUR STATES IN ENTRY LEVEL PAY FROM 2013 TO 2015

Lt. Governor Todd Lamb has been a champion for Oklahoma’s bedrock industries of agriculture and oil and gas production. In 2014, Lamb championed reforming Oklahoma’s tax on oil production used his role as President of the Senate to cast a critical tie-breaking vote. But, Oklahoma cannot rely on these industries alone. Both of these industries are subject to commodity pricing often dictated by world events outside the control of any person, state or even nation.

The need for continued economic diversification is seen throughout the state. Small business owners know economy cannot rely on just a few industries. For this reason, Lamb has been an advocate of diversifying our state’s economy and has applauded our growth in manufacturing, aerospace, financial activities, research and other areas. In addition recently enacted reforms are helping expand Oklahoma’s small businesses.

A key component of economic diversification is being able to provide Oklahomans with the education and training they need to take advantage of jobs in these new fields. Oklahomans must continually strive to be more efficient in delivering education and should further focus on providing training that helps diversify the state’s economy. It is vital Oklahomans continue to expand STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs in order to have a workforce available for a wide-range of companies to utilize.

Economic Diversification,

Workforce Development & Education

Economic Diversification & Growth

By The Numbers Oklahoma Growth by Industry Sector | October 2013-October 2014

Sorce: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Mining and Logging 4.20%Construction 3.20%Manufacturing 4.30%Financial Activities 3.70%Education and Health Services 3.60%Hospitality 4.00%Other Services 3.80%Government 0.20%

While Oklahomans should always strive to improve our state, it is important to realize how far we have come and the nati onal and internati onal recogniti on Oklahoma and our communiti es conti nues to receive. It proves the eff orts to reduce taxati on, reform our legal system, and create an entrepreneurial environment are successful in improving the economy and quality of life.

Moving In the Right Direction

Highest Personal Income Growth in Nation U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2014

Friendliest State for Starting an Enterprise Thumbtack.com, 2014

10th Best State for Business, up from 14 in 2013. Forbes, Nov. 2014

Durable Goods Manufacturing Growth Bureau of Economic Analysis, Sept. 2014

#7

#4

#10

#1

Moving In the Right Direction

7th Best City for Starti ng a Business (WalletHub.com, 2014)

5th Most Aff ordable City in the U.S. (Kiplinger, October 2014)

No. 1 Best city for Young Entrepreneurs in the U.S. (Forbes, 2013)

9th Top Moving Desti nati on in Nati on (2014 Annual nati onal Movers Study showing 57% of movers being invound)

Named Best place to start a business (Kiplinger, October 2014)

A 120,000 square foot retail development underway that will expand to 400,000 square feet.

Named one of the “Top Ten Small Citi es in the U.S. for Business (American Express)

Awarded Best Practi ces in Economic Development (Internati onal Economic Development Council, 2014)

Expecti ng $1.5 Billion in industrial development in 2015

Received the Air Educati on and Training Command (AETC) Community Support Award for support of Vance AFB.

TULSA

OKC

PONCA CITY

ENID

SHAWNEE

Adding value-added jobs as it becomes a world leader in Guar Bean producti on and products.

ALTUS

i m p r o v i n g o k l a h o m a t h ro u g h tourism

Oklahoma Tourism and Recreati on Department has been a leader in promoti ng government austerity and effi ciency. Not even accounti ng for infl ati on, the tourism budget has been cut 26.3% since 2009 and reduced 5.2% just last year, reducing expense by more than $1.1 million dollars. Perhaps more important, despite these budget cuts the Department is now debt free, paying off a loan 10 years in advance of its maturity date. This alone saved more than quarter of a million dollars in interest and administrati ve fees. Changing the adverti sing philosophy to focus on using new technologies has also helped be more effi cient with tax dollars.

Even with these reducti ons, tourism is booming in the state. According to the latest fi gures from the US Travel Associati on, the economic impact of tourism now tops $7.2 billion, and in one year showed an increase of %6.1 from 2011

to 2012. Research shows more than 80,000 jobs in Oklahoma are a result of tourism and tourism provided more than $1 million in tax receipts in the most current year available.

While overlooked by some, tourism is more than just our state’s third largest industry. It is a way to improve our state’s brand image nati onally and internati onally. In today’s ever shrinking world, we never know from where the next job creator will come and it is vital that we have an ever improving positi ve image – and tourism is a great way to accomplish this goal.

Maintaining a vibrant tourism industry is an important part of Oklahoma’s conti nuing improvement and a way to bring new dollars into Oklahoma’s economy. We must conti nue to take advantage of our geographic and cultural diversity for the benefi t of all of Oklahoma and its people.

improving oklahoma through

t o u r i s m

80,000 jobs are provided by tourism in Oklahoma.

In 2012, tourism generated $188 million dollars for local governments – funds vital for infrastructure and public safety.

In 2012, tourism brought in $385.3 million in tax revenue for the state – that’s more than what taxpayer would save if the state income tax were dropped to 4.85%

TravelOK.com consistently one of the top 5 state tourism websites in 2014 with more than 6.5 million visitor sessions, a 42% increase over 2013. Each session averaged almost four page views as more than 24.2 million page views occurred in 2014.

CONTACT INDEX

Senator Party District Room Phone # EmailAllen, Mark R 4 415 521-5576 allen@oksenate.govAnderson, Patrick R 19 233 521-5630 andersen@oksenate.govBarrington, Don R 31 232 521-5563 barrington@oksenate.govBass, Randy D 32 519 521-5567 bass@oksenate.govBice, Stephanie R 22 531 521-5592 bice@oksenate.govBingman, Brian R 12 422 521-5528 bingman@oksenate.govBoggs, Larry R 7 529A 521-5604 boggs@oksenate.govBrecheen, Josh R 6 413 521-5586 brecheen@oksenate.govBrinkley, Rick R 34 238 521-5566 brinkley@oksenate.govBrooks, Corey R 43 529B 521-5522 brooks@oksenate.govBrown, Bill R 36 412 521-5602 brownb@oksenate.govCrain, Brian R 39 417B 521-5620 crain@oksenate.govDahm, Nathan R 33 534 521-5551 dahm@oksenate.govDavid, Kim R 18 417C 521-5590 david@oksenate.govFields, Eddie R 10 530 521-5581 efields@oksenate.govFloyd, Kay D 46 522A 521-5610 floyd@oksenate.govFord, John R 29 424A 521-5634 fordj@oksenate.govFry, Jack R 42 413A 521-5584 fry@oksenate.govGarrison, Earl D 9 520 521-5533 garrisone@oksenate.govGriffin, A J R 20 428B 521-5628 griffin@oksenate.govHalligan, Jim R 21 425 521-5572 halligan@oksenate.govHolt, David R 30 423 521-5636 holt@oksenate.govJech, Darcy R 26 528A 521-5545 jech@oksenate.govJolley, Clark R 41 537 521-5622 jolley@oksenate.govJustice, Ron R 23 526 521-5537 justice@oksenate.govLoveless, Kyle R 45 237 521-5618 loveless@oksenate.govMarlatt, Bryce R 27 428 521-5626 marlatt@oksenate.govMazzei, Mike R 25 424 521-5675 mazzei@oksenate.govNewberry, Dan R 37 234 521-5600 newberry@oksenate.govPaddack, Susan D 13 522B 521-5541 paddock@oksenate.gov

SENATE MEMBERS 2015

Senator Party District Room Phone # EmailPittman, Anastasia D 48 518 521-5531 pittman@oksenate.govQuinn, Marty R 2 528B 521-5555 quinn@oksenate.govSchulz, Mike R 38 418 521-5612 schulz@oksenate.govSharp, Ron R 17 429 521-5539 sharp@oksenate.govShaw, Wayne R 3 235 521-5574 shaw@oksenate.govShortey, Ralph R 44 527A 521-5557 shortey@oksenate.govShumate, Jabar D 11 524 521-5598 shumate@oksenate.govSilk, Joseph R 5 536 521-5614 silk@oksenate.govSimpson, Frank R 14 414 521-5607 simpson@oksenate.govSmalley, Jason R 28 416 521-5547 smalley@oksenate.govSparks, John D 16 521B 521-5553 sparks@oksenate.govStandridge, Rob R 15 417A 521-5535 standridge@oksenate.govStanislawski, Gary R 35 427A 521-5624 stanislawski@oksenate.govSykes, Anthony R 24 426 521-5569 lewis@oksenate.govThompson, Roger R 8 527B 521-5588 thompson@oksenate.govTreat, Greg R 47 427 521-5632 treat@oksenate.govWyrick, Charles D 1 523 521-5561 wyrick@oksenate.govYen, Ervin R 40 411A 521-5543 yen@oksenate.gov

Representative Party District Room Phone EmailBanz, Gary R 101 433 (405) 557-7395 garybanz@okhouse.govBennett, John R 2 300A (405) 557-7315 john.bennett@okhouse.govBiggs, Scott R 51 242 (405) 557-7405 scott.biggs@okhouse.govBilly, Lisa R 42 440 (405) 557-7365 lisajbilly@okhouse.govBrown, Mike D 4 545 (405) 557-7408 mikebrown@okhouse.govBrumbaugh, David R 76 400B (405) 557-7347 david.brumbaugh@okhouse.govCaldwell, Chad R 40 329A (405) 557-7317 chad.caldwell@okhouse.govCalvey, Kevin R 82 301A (405) 557-7357 kevin.calvey@okhouse.govCannaday, Ed D 15 546 (405) 557-7375 ed.cannaday@okhouse.govCasey, Dennis R 35 337 (405) 557-7344 dennis.casey@okhouse.govChristian, Mike R 93 303 (405) 557-7371 mike.christian@okhouse.govCleveland, Bobby R 20 240 (405) 557-7308 bob.cleveland@okhouse.govCockroft, Josh R 27 303A (405) 557-7349 josh.cockroft@okhouse.govCondit, Donnie D 18 502 (405) 557-7376 donnie.condit@okhouse.govCoody, Ann R 64 439 (405) 557-7398 anncoody@okhouse.govCoody, Jeff R 63 338 (405) 557-7307 jeff.coody@okhouse.govCooksey, Marian R 39 409 (405) 557-7342 mariancooksey@okhouse.govCox, Doug R 5 331 (405) 557-7415 dougcox@okhouse.gov

HOUSE MEMBERS 2015

Representative Party District Room Phone EmailDank, David R 85 435 (405) 557-7392 david.dank@okhouse.govDenney, Lee R 33 441 (405) 557-7304 leedenney@okhouse.govDerby, David R 74 408 (405) 557-7377 david.derby@okhouse.govDunlap, Travis R 10 250A (405) 557-7402 travis.dunlap@okhouse.govDunnington, Jason D 88 500A (405) 557-7396 jason.dunnington@okhouse.govEchols, Jon R 90 248 (405) 557-7354 jon.echols@okhouse.govEnns, John R 41 434 (405) 557-7321 john.enns@okhouse.govFaught, George R 14 301B (405) 557-7310 george.faught@okhouse.govFisher, Dan R 60 202 (405) 557-7311 dan.fisher@okhouse.govFourkiller, William D 86 542 (405) 557-7394 will.fourkiller@okhouse.govGrau, Randy R 81 330 (405) 557-7360 randy.grau@okhouse.govGriffith, Claudia D 45 539 (405) 557-7386 claudia.griffith@okhouse.govHall, Elise R 100 200A (405) 557-7403 elise.hall@okhouse.govHardin, Tommy R 49 336 (405) 557-7383 tommy.hardin@okhouse.govHenke, Katie R 71 244B (405) 557-7361 katie.henke@okhouse.govHickman, Jeffrey R 58 401 (405) 557-7339 jwhickman@okhouse.govHoskin, Chuck D 6 509 (405) 557-7319 chuck.hoskin@okhouse.govInman, Scott D 94 548 (405) 557-7370 scott.inman@okhouse.govJohnson, Dennis R 50 407 (405) 557-7327 dennis.johnson@okhouse.govJordan, John Paul R 43 328B (405) 557-7352 jp.jordan@okhouse.govJoyner, Charlie R 95 436 (405) 557-7314 charlie.joyner@okhouse.govKannady, Chris R 91 246A (405) 557-7337 chris.kannady@okhouse.govKern, Sally R 84 304 (405) 557-7348 sallykern@okhouse.govKirby, Dan R 75 302A (405) 557-7356 dan.kirby@okhouse.govKouplen, Steve D 24 541 (405) 557-7306 steve.kouplen@okhouse.govLeewright, James R 29 204B (405) 557-7353 james.leewright@okhouse.govLepak, Mark R 9 328A (405) 557-7380 mark.lepak@okhouse.govLockhart, James D 3 505 (405) 557-7413 james.lockhart@okhouse.govLoring, Ben D 7 539B (405) 557-7399 ben.loring@okhouse.govMartin, Scott R 46 441 (405) 557-7329 scott.martin@okhouse.govMatthews, Kevin D 73 510 (405) 557-7406 kevin.matthews@okhouse.govMcBride, Mark R 53 248 (405) 557-7346 mark.mcbride@okhouse.govMcCall, Charles R 22 244 (405) 557-7412 charles.mccall@okhouse.govMcCullough, Mark R 30 435A (405) 557-7414 mark.mccullough@okhouse.govMcDaniel, Jeannie D 78 508 (405) 557-7334 jeanniemcdaniel@okhouse.govMcDaniel, Randy R 83 438 (405) 557-7409 randy.mcdaniel@okhouse.govMcPeak, Jerry D 13 503 (405) 557-7302 jerrymcpeak@okhouse.govMontgomery, John R 62 329B (405) 557-7374 john.montgomery@okhouse.govMoore, Lewis R 96 329 (405) 557-7400 lewis.moore@okhouse.govMorrissette, Richard D 92 543 (405) 557-7404 richardmorrissette@okhouse.govMulready, Glen R 68 200 (405) 557-7340 glen.mulready@okhouse.gov

Representative Party District Room Phone EmailMurdock, Casey R 61 301 (405) 557-7384 casey.murdock@okhouse.govMurphey, Jason R 31 437 (405) 557-7350 jason.murphey@okhouse.govNelson, Jason R 87 305A (405) 557-7335 jason.nelson@okhouse.govNewell, Tom R 28 302 (405) 557-7372 tom.newell@okhouse.govNollan, Jadine R 66 333 (405) 557-7390 jadine.nollan@okhouse.govO'Donnell, Terry R 23 242 (405) 557-7379 terry.odonnell@okhouse.govOrtega, Charles R 52 442 (405) 557-7369 charles.ortega@okhouse.govOsborn, Leslie R 47 303B (405) 557-7333 leslie.osborn@okhouse.govOwnbey, Pat R 48 334 (405) 557-7326 pat.ownbey@okhouse.govPark, Scooter R 65 338 (405) 557-7305 scooter.park@okhouse.govPerryman, David D 56 540 (405) 557-7401 david.perryman@okhouse.govPeterson, Pam R 67 405 (405) 557-7341 pampeterson@okhouse.govPfeiffer, John R 38 301 (405) 557-7332 john.pfeiffer@okhouse.govProctor, Eric D 77 540A (405) 557-7410 eric.proctor@okhouse.govPruett, R. C. D 19 501 (405) 557-7382 rcpruett@okhouse.govRenegar, Brian D 17 504 (405) 557-7381 brian.renegar@okhouse.govRitze, Mike R 80 433B (405) 557-7338 mike.ritze@okhouse.govRoberts, Dustin R 21 302B (405) 557-7366 dustin.roberts@okhouse.govRoberts, Sean R 36 250 (405) 557-7322 sean.roberts@okhouse.govRogers, Michael R 98 300B (405) 557-7362 michael.rogers@okhouse.govRousselot, Wade D 12 507 (405) 557-7388 waderousselot@okhouse.govRuss, Todd R 55 300 (405) 557-7312 todd.russ@okhouse.govSanders, Mike R 59 205 (405) 557-7407 mike.sanders@okhouse.govScott, Seneca D 72 510 (405) 557-7391 seneca.scott@okhouse.govSears, Earl R 11 432D (405) 557-7358 earl.sears@okhouse.govShelton, Mike D 97 539 (405) 557-7367 mikeshelton@okhouse.govSherrer, Ben D 8 500 (405) 557-7364 bensherrer@okhouse.govShoemake, Jerry D 16 506 (405) 557-7373 jerryshoemake@okhouse.govStone, Shane D 89 510A (405) 557-7397 shane.stone@okhouse.govStrohm, Chuck R 69 300C (405) 557-7331 chuck.strohm@okhouse.govTadlock, Johnny D 1 539B (405) 557-7363 johnny.tadlock@okhouse.govThomsen, Todd R 25 410 (405) 557-7336 todd.thomsen@okhouse.govVaughan, Steve R 37 335 (405) 557-7355 steve.vaughan@okhouse.govVirgin, Emily D 44 500 (405) 557-7323 emily.virgin@okhouse.govWalker, Ken R 70 204 (405) 557-7359 ken.walker@okhouse.govWallace, Kevin R 32 246B (405) 557-7368 kevin.wallace@okhouse.govWatson, Weldon R 79 406 (405) 557-7330 weldon.watson@okhouse.govWesselhoft, Paul R 54 328 (405) 557-7343 paulwesselhoft@okhouse.govWilliams, Cory D 34 544 (405) 557-7411 cory.williams@okhouse.govWood, Justin R 26 202 (405) 557-7345 justin.wood@okhouse.govWright, Harold R 57 332 (405) 557-7325 harold.wright@okhouse.govYoung, George D 99 510B (405) 557-7393 george.young@okhouse.gov