October 2010
www.okcchamber.com
SQ 744 COULD CRIPPLE OK’S ECONOMIC GROWTH The November 2010 ballot in Oklahoma includes 11 State Questions – one of which, if passed, will negatively affect almost every aspect of Oklahoma’s government. State Question (SQ) 744 is a proposed amendment to Oklahoma’s Constitution that would require Oklahoma state government to spend an amount on common education that is equal to the average per-pupil expenditure in the six states that surround Oklahoma. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber has joined One Oklahoma Coalition and a number of other organizations in opposition to this measure. “The Chamber is a long-standing advocate of education reform in Oklahoma,” said Roy H. Williams, Chamber president & CEO. “However, State Question 744 does nothing to address reform. It is all about spending more money without identifying a funding source and without clearly defining how it will be spent. There are other ways to improve the education our students receive and the Chamber will continue to work to find those solutions.” If SQ 744 is approved by Oklahoma voters, the legislature and governor will be forced to severely cut funds to critical state government services by Continued on Page 10 & 11
OKC’s fastest growing companies honored On Sept. 8, the fastest-growing, privately-owned companies in Greater Oklahoma City were honored at the 14th annual Metro 50 Awards. These impressive businesses demonstrated a marked percentage of annual growth and posted 2009 revenues of at least $1 million.
Taking home the top prize was Pointe Vista Development, LLC. The company provides the real estate development of a 3,000-acre master-planned resort and residential company. Having acquired federal property at Lake Texoma, Pointe Vista is in the process of planning and developing 3,000 acres into a community that will become a prime destination for Oklahoma and north Texas visitors. Pointe Vista is a part of the largest Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district in the history of Oklahoma. The company is a strong
Pointe Vista Development, LLC was named the fastest growing Greater Oklahoma City company at the 2010 Metro 50 Awards. Continued on Page 5