Federal Issues
Federal Priorities for 2011
1. Support Sen. Jim Inhofe's request for $50 million for the Arkansas River corridor to match local, state and private funding for river infrastructure.
2. Attain approval of Supplemental Hospital Offset Payment Program Acts (SHOPP), which provides new state funds to be matched with federal funds to stabilize Medicaid enrollment, benefit and reimbursement efforts.
3. Support timely reauthorization of the federal surface transportation programs including measures to permanently and adequately fund the Highway Trust Fund as well as efforts to end Oklahoma's status as a donor state. Include funding for regional high priority projects: reconstruction of the I-244 bridge over the Arkansas River, reconstruction of I-244, widening of I-44 east to the Will Rogers Turnpike and expansion to six lanes of US 169 north to SH 20, and four-lane Port Road from Hwy 11 to the Port of Catoosa.
4. Support and fully fund the medical home model for primary healthcare as provided by the Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (like Morton and Community Health Connection); support residency training at the FQHCs (Teaching Health Centers Program) and National Health Service Corps Expansion to cover medical school loan payback through FQHC service.
5. Ensure that graduate medical education continues to receive federal funding.
6. Oppose cap and trade legislation, a carbon tax, or similar "carbon" legislation that leads to higher energy costs for businesses and results in private sector job losses.
7. Support comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level. Support measures to secure borders, establish reasonable and efficient visa policies and procedures, and comprehensive reform that recognizes the need for essential workers so the U.S. can continue to attract the best and brightest talent from around the world.
8. Support the adoption of a more reasonable time frame for the implementation of the new, more stringent ozone emission standard.
9. Support development of an intermodal transportation system, including streets, transit, express buses, ports, airports and rail.
10. Support the right of workers to voluntarily join unions under fair and democratic rules. Oppose initiatives that would upset the balance of the National Labor Relations Act, including union-backed proposals to abolish secret ballot elections in favor of card check majorities for union recognition (Employee Free Choice Act, EFCA, or "card check").
