OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – Oklahoma Forward, a plan to revitalize Oklahoma’s economy, enhance education, grow the workforce and protect Oklahoma families, was unveiled in the Oklahoma State Senate on Tuesday.
Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, introduced the comprehensive plan, which includes multiple bills dedicated to emphasizing economic growth, public safety, family values and consumer protections.
The purpose of Oklahoma Forward is to priorities the well-being and prosperity of all Oklahomans. The legislation in the plan concerns strengthening the economy through tax emptions, innovation and job creation; improving the quality of family life; keeping Oklahomans safe; investing in the state’s future through a focus on in-school education and workforce development; and strengthening values.
“My ‘Oklahoma Forward’ agenda is dedicated to fostering a thriving economy, safeguarding our communities and upholding the values that make our state exceptional,” Thompson said. “By focusing on these key areas, we are ensuring a brighter future for every Oklahoman.”
Oklahoma Forward’s agenda breaks down as follows:
Growing Oklahoma’s Economy
- Expanding the Sales Tax Holiday (SB 231): This bill proposes increasing the number of tax-exempt items during Oklahoma’s back-to-school sales tax holiday, providing financial relief to families.
- Small Business and Innovation Incentives (SB 324): Aimed at boosting innovation and job creation, this legislation offers tax credits for research and development activities within the state.
Supporting Oklahoma Families and Workers
- Protecting Food and Futures (SB 4): This legislation prohibits the use of certain artificial dyes and preservatives, ensuring the food Oklahomans eat is safe and healthy.
- Preventing Hidden Fees and Business Scams (SB 986): A consumer protection measure designed to eliminate hidden fees in businesses, ensuring transparent pricing for consumers.
- Health Insurance Access (SB 1019): This bill prohibits insurers from enforcing any restrictions on the duration of covered anesthesia services or denying coverage or payment based on time under anesthesia, increasing health outcomes for Oklahomans.
- Supporting Working Families (SB 256): By creating tax credits for employers and childcare workers, this bill supports working parents to ensure their children have safe and consistent childcare.
Keeping Oklahoma Safe
- Strengthening Laws Against Sexual Violence (SB 630): By expanding the legal definition of rape, this legislation aims to close existing loopholes and ensure justice for survivors.
- Social Media Protections for Kids (SB 838, SB 839): These bills seek to restrict social media access for young children and label social media platforms as addictive, promoting mental health.
- School Training on Substance Abuse (SB 913): Brought forward by a constituent, this legislation directs the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, contingent on federal funding, to supply emergency opioid antagonists to public schools and establish an opioid overdose education program for authorized school personnel.
Investing in Oklahoma’s Future
- Virtual Learning Options for Schools (SB 758): cracks down on virtual learning days. It allows virtual days only for severe weather, staff shortages, maintenance issues, or state-approved reasons, requiring districts to notify the State Department of Education within 72 hours. The Department has one week to verify compliance—if schools fail, they must make up the time with in-person instruction. Strict virtual learning hour requirements are enforced, with audits ensuring student participation; if most don’t comply, another in-person day is required. Annual reports will keep the public informed and reinforce that the best education happens in the classroom, not behind a screen.
- Promoting Local Food in Schools (SB 985): Establishing the Oklahoma Local Food for Schools Program, this legislation aims to bring fresh, local produce into school meal programs.
- Strengthening Oklahoma’s Workforce (SB 664): empowers the Construction Industries Board to collaborate with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education to promote workforce development, strengthening opportunities for skilled labor.
Strengthening Oklahoma’s Values
- Protecting Against Discrimination (SB 942): Ensuring that no student or employee faces discrimination in Oklahoma schools, this legislation upholds fairness and equality.
- Recognizing Anti-Semitism in Law (SB 991): By adopting a clear, legal definition of anti-Semitism, this bill seeks to prevent hate and discrimination within the state.
Oklahoma Forward continues Thompson’s ongoing effort toward economic prosperity, public safety and family values.
“Through these legislative efforts, she aims to create a more affordable, safer and thriving Oklahoma for all residents,” Oklahoma Senate officials said.
Thompson and Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, co-authored significant economic revitalization legislation last year as well.
The two legislators wrote Senate Bill 1447 and House Bill 3252 – complimentary pieces of legislation that charted a new course for accelerating economic and business development in the state – last year. Both bills were signed into law.
SB 1447 established Oklahoma Office of Economic Development, Growth and Expansion (OkEDGE) and Division of Community Outreach and Revitalization Enterprise (CORE) within the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The bill also created the Legislative Evaluation and Development (LEAD) Committee, a legislative committee that will review certain incentive packages for relocating or expanding businesses.
HB 3252 modified the functions and programs of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to ensure its focus is on economic development and community development.
OkEDGE serves as the state’s leading entity in matters pertaining to economic development, with a focus on recruiting companies to either expand or start in Oklahoma, as well as retaining companies that already exist in Oklahoma. Its duties are as follows:
- Creating new and higher-quality jobs for the people of the state through long-term development of local communities;
- Maintaining communication of information between the department and communities through regional organization and representaiton;
- Carrying out policy development and research in support of the long-term competitiveness of this state;
- Providing technical assistance to local communities in securing federal funding, incentive availability and community development;
- Providing assistance and funding in development of potential sites for economic development;
- Coordinating with other state agencies deploying federal and state funds for infrastructure development including, but not limited to, the Department of Transportation, the Oklahoma Water Board and the Oklahoma Broadband Office; and,
- Assisting in compliance with the laws and regulations of economic incentives and economic development initiatives.
CORE focuses on the long-term development of local communities to increase competitiveness and enhance economic opportunities. CORE’s duties pertain to local economic opportunities and economic development, including, but not limited to the following:
- Creating new and higher-quality jobs for the people of the state through long-term development of local communities;
- Maintaining communication of information between the department and communities through regional organization and representaiton;
- Carrying out policy development and research in support of the long-term competitiveness of this state;
- Providing technical assistance to local communities in securing federal funding, incentive availability and community development;
- Providing assistance and funding in development of potential sites for economic development;
- Coordinating with other state agencies deploying federal and state funds for infrastructure development including, but not limited to, the Department of Transportation, the Oklahoma Water Board and the Oklahoma Broadband Office; and,
- Assisting in compliance with the laws and regulations of economic incentives and economic development initiatives.
