Sen. Coleman captures perfect RIED business score

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Research Institute for Economic Development (RIED) recently released their annual Legislative Report ranking Oklahoma’s House and Senate members on their votes on business-related legislation. Sen. Bill Coleman was among 21 senators who received a perfect score on the RIED Report.

“It’s important for the health of our state’s economy that we enact policies and reforms that attract new businesses, corporations and industries as well as protect our current ones,” Coleman said.  “We must create a strong economy and a pro-business environment that will help these entities grow and thrive, and I’m determined to see that happen.”

This year’s RIED Report consists of ten bills including HB 3619, HB 4018, SB 801, SB 1204, SB 1362, SB 1688, SB 1748, SB 1875, SB 1946 and SB 1947.  The pandemic is of utmost concern to lawmakers, and two bills were signed into law to protect businesses from potential liability regarding exposure during the pandemic as well as for any COVID-19 related goods or services they produce.

Other bills focused on expanding broadband services and improving healthcare in rural Oklahoma, incentivizing software and cybersecurity employees to work for Oklahoma companies, increasing commercial limits for grocery and specialty food stores, and furthering state investment in emerging advanced transportation technologies as well as creating new job opportunities.

The featured pro-business bills are selected each year by businesses, chambers of commerce, trade organizations, professional societies, academic interests, private citizens and legislative members.