Oklahoma Business Leaders Meet Lawmakers In Washington To Discuss Future Tax Policies

Members of the State Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma met with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., as part of the Chamber’s annual fly-in.

The event serves as an opportunity for Oklahoma business leaders to express their concerns and learn about developments in the nation’s capital that could impact them.

This year, one of the primary concerns was the looming expiration of the Trump-era tax cuts.

Chad Warmington, President and CEO of the State Chamber of Oklahoma, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. tax landscape in 2025 as a major issue for businesses.

"I think all of our businesses are obviously concerned about what the tax picture in the United States is going to look like in 2025," Warmington said.

Oklahoma Congressman Kevin Hern, a former businessman, emphasized the importance of extending the Trump tax cuts, which are set to expire in just 14 months. Hern noted that many small businesses feel they are being treated fairly under the current tax structure and worry about the future.

"Our small businesses feel like they're being treated fairly as compared to large corporations, and overall that every American keeps the money in their pocket," Hern stated. "People are thinking this is going to go on forever, when it’s set to expire in 14 months."

Representative Stephanie Bice also weighed in, discussing her efforts with South Dakota's Congressman Dusty Johnson to support small businesses through their leadership in the GOP’s Main Street Caucus.

"Small businesses are the secret sauce for America, and if we don’t provide that support, it’s going to be detrimental in the long run," Bice said.

Former Congressman and current Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Commerce Dan Boren, who attended the meeting in a listening role, said that events like this provide valuable insights for business leaders who may not have time to closely follow the intricacies of legislation.

"You hear certain snippets, you see certain things, but you don’t really get into the minutiae of the legislation or what bill may be moving through the process," Boren explained. "So it’s really good back and forth. It’s something that I really enjoyed."

Warmington added that the discussions with lawmakers provided useful information to bring back to Oklahoma’s business community.

"We're learning some things that we need to take home and share with businesses around the state about what is important in D.C.," Warmington said.