Workers Gain From Exposure to AI
There has been a great deal of concern in the past year about the growing ubiquity of artificial intelligence, commonly referred to as AI. Many have worried that the limitless innovation it promises will steal jobs from people, and that its ever-evolving capabilities will lead to a dystopian future in which machines rule the world. […]
An Examination of the Working Draft for a Federal Data Privacy Solution
A federal comprehensive data privacy solution may be on the horizon, but as of now it falls short of what is needed to create a workable regulatory landscape for businesses. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the working draft of the bill. Like all comprehensive data privacy legislative proposals of […]
LEA Alumni Lunch Huge Hit! Cohort Application Live!
The first Leadership Exchange Academy Alumni Lunch was held last week and was an enormous success! The event was held at Will Rogers Theatre this past Thursday, celebrating LEA’s 10-year anniversary. More than 100 people, mostly state and business leaders alumi, enjoyed a tasty meal while discussing important issues that impact economic and business development […]
Shenanigans at the Oklahoma Supreme Court
A Note from Executive Director Ben Lepak The State Chamber was back at the Oklahoma Supreme Court last week on State Question 832. First, a little background. SQ 832, filed at the end of October, would raise prices for Oklahomans by mandating a drastic increase in the minimum wage that would increase every year in […]
Time for Oklahoma to Make Love Connection with Economic Development
Oklahoma is in the mood for love, hoping to attract new businesses to the state and lock down lifelong relationships with the businesses already here who have been so good to us. The Sooner State has a big new relationship goal; it’s called economic development. And the competition to win the hearts of top businesses […]
LOFT Report Highlights Critical Importance of New Oklahoma Workforce Commission
The Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) issued a report last week on Oklahoma’s workforce readiness which confirmed nearly all of the findings the State Chamber Research Foundation has uncovered in its extensive study of the issue over the last three years. The in-depth report, covering some 90 pages, concludes that the newly created Oklahoma […]
Oklahoma’s Tax Climate Ranking Makes Big News
Word is getting around about Oklahoma’s rise in The Tax Foundation’s annual State Business Tax Climate Index, which is regarded as the gold standard for measuring states’ tax competitiveness. Oklahoma ascended to 19th in the Index’s overall business tax climate, improving significantly from the 30th place ranking the state received two years ago. The news […]
OSHA’s Proposed Temperature Rule Hot Topic During Legal Lunchbox
The heat was on…topic, that is, when this week’s Legal Lunchbox delved into the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s proposed rulemaking on heat exposure for workers. Employment attorney Courtney Warmington led Wednesday’s Lunchbox, speaking on the rulemaking and how it could impact businesses in various industries. If you were not able to attend the lunchbox, […]
Breaking down the Business Leaders Poll – Regulations
Federal Regulations Voted Most Burdensome Among Oklahoma Business Leaders Oklahoma business leaders are none too keen on federal regulations. The 2023 Oklahoma Business Leaders Poll surveyed business leaders across the state and learned that many of the top men and women of business regard federal regulations as a detriment to business growth. Forty percent of […]
Ranks Worth Winning
New business climate rankings from CNBC have drawn headlines in Oklahoma news outlets in recent days, but how much do these rankings really tell us about where Oklahoma stands, and more importantly, where we need to go? Beyond the headlines, most national rankings of business climate and economic competitiveness (CNBC’s included) are of limited usefulness […]