April 2010
www.okcchamber.com
Chamber Priorities Progressing at Capitol Since the start of the 2010 Legislative Session, the Chamber has been advocating for key issues that impact the business community. This is an update of priority issues outlined before the Session began.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION REFORM Oklahoma employers pay the nation’s ninth highest workers’ comp rates. Reforming the system to reduce premiums is a Chamber priority. The House and Senate have passed different forms of workers’ comp reform. Among the reforms are: 1) creating a new position of medical director of the Workers’ Comp Court to oversee medical maintenance of injured workers; 2) requiring Senate confirmation of the Governor’s appointment of judges; 3) clarifying the definition of “surgery” in the Workers’ Comp Act; and, 4) clarifying that employees are not eligible for permanent impairment unless there is medical evidence of a medical abnormality. QUALITY EVENTS INCENTIVE ACT SB 1284, by Sen. Stanislawski, would create the Oklahoma Quality Events Incentive Act to allow the incremental sales tax generated by
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OKC PLAYING HOST TO VARIETY OF events Oklahoma City continues to play the role of host city to a number of conferences and conventions. The Chamber’s Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) staff works year-round to bring groups and associations to the city for their events. “In our business, it’s common to look several years out,” said Mike Carrier, CVB President. “And as our city’s future grows brighter, so does our market for conventions and conferences.” C onvention sales through the month of February were up compared to the same time in 2009 with 149 groups booked – 60 percent of these groups representing new business. These groups represent 147,000 room nights – up nearly 3,000 from 2009. Of the many events coming to Oklahoma City later this year, two of significance are the Oklahoma Aerospace Summit & Expo and American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship
Show. In recent years, the Aerospace Summit has drawn as many as 1,000 attendees and more than 100 exhibiting companies from Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Missouri and Arkansas. As host for the AQHYA World Championship Show, the world’s largest singlebreed youth world championship show, Oklahoma City’s reign as “Horse Show Capitol of the World” continues. Equine shows have a dramatic impact on Oklahoma City’s economy, with an estimated $150 million annual impact. Just a few of the conventions coming to Oklahoma City in future years are the National Association of Postmasters of the United States, the National Indian Education Association, and the National Square Dance Convention. Expected attendance for these events ranges from 3,000 to 8,000. Total room night sales are expected to be between 4,500 and 6,600.