Tulsa World
By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
Published: 8/31/20103:33 PM
Last Modified: 8/31/20103:33 PM
The State Chamber of Oklahoma is loading up for this year’s elections, doubling the size of its political action committee and summoning candidates for a two-day “interview” with the state’s business-related PACs.
“We’re getting involved in the entire legislative process,” State Chamber President Fred Morgan told a Tulsa Press Club Page One luncheon on Tuesday. “Historic elections are coming up in November. For the first time .?.?. we will be electing a new governor, a new lieutenant governor, a new treasurer, a new attorney general and new leadership in the House and Senate.”
Incumbent insurance and labor commissioners and the state auditor and inspector also face strong challenges in November.
With all of that change, Morgan said, business has to be involved in politics. The State Chamber employs 10 lobbyists at the Capitol, Morgan said.
“Someone said, ‘If you’re not at the table, you may be on the menu.’
“So we’re trying to make sure the business community is not on the sideline, that they are very involved in this year’s elections and that we as the State Chamber are involved in this year’s elections.”
Morgan said candidates in key races have been invited to a two-day meeting at the end of September “to find out where these candidates stand on pro-business issues.”
As important as the candidates may be at least one of the state questions on the November ballot, Morgan said. The Chamber strongly opposes State Question 744, which would mandate common education spending on par with surrounding states... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Tue, August 31, 2010
by Crystal Drwenski