Water, lawsuit reform, the workforce - these were a few of the issues officials from the State Chamber of Oklahoma reported to Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce members at their monthly meeting Wednesday.

Danna Fowble, vice president of the state chamber Federation and Grassroots Development Department, and Jim Mason, vice president of the state chamber's Technology Initiatives, reported on the issues to the Sallisaw chamber.

Mason reviewed what the state chamber considers the key issues for 2008 at the legislature, and explained how the chamber works with legislators on bills to be introduced for the next legislative session. He explained that the state chamber acts as a lobbyist for local chambers of commerce.

Mason said that, as a lobbyist, he has already begun working with legislators on bills that will be introduced next year.

"My job starts now to try to eliminate bills that are bad for business," he said, also explaining that he will read all 3,000 bills that will be introduced in the 2008 state legislative session "to find things about business and how business will be affected by the bills.

"I will try to determine how that bill will affect you," Mason told the chamber members.

He said water, lawsuit reform, workforce development, education, eminent domain, a five-year ad valorem exemption, the Quality Investment Act, health care, workers' compensation, the state transportation infrastructure, immigration, taxation, the erosion of incentives and rural development are the issues the state chamber will be working on with legislators next year.

Sallisaw officials nodded their heads when Mason said water is one of the most important issues next year. Sallisaw officials are working on a second water source for the city, and a new and expanded water treatment plant is near completion.

Mason said the state chamber is looking at a five-year plan on water rights. Information from the state chamber noted that an increasing number of bills have been introduced dealing with water rights, water transfer, water development, etc. The state chamber's stand is, "Oklahoma has plenty of water - we just need to develop it and get it where it's needed," Mason said.

Water may be the biggest issue of the decade and Oklahoma needs to determine how much water is available, how much is needed for the next 50 years, where the water is needed, and devise a plan to pay for the infrastructure to get the water to where it is needed.

Mason said the lawsuit reform will most likely not be a relevant issue next year since Gov. Brad Henry vetoed a lawsuit reform bill this year.

About workforce development, Mason said, "This is really an important issue...we have more jobs than we have people."

Because education consumes a large share of the state's budget, education is always a big issue. "It is the state's biggest expense," Mason said, and the state chamber encourages incorporation of career awareness programs into the common education system while lengthening the school year. The state chamber supports more dollars for research and development at the higher education level.

About eminent domain, the state chamber will work to assure that no changes are made to Oklahoma's eminent domain statutes that would negatively impact economic development.

Mason said the state chamber is promoting using the five-year ad valorem tax exemption as an incentive to recruit companies and businesses to the state.

The state chamber also supports the Quality Investment Act, which offers incentive to companies and businesses in the state, which may be considering going elsewhere. An example would be construction of a new facility by an investment firm, when would then the facility to the at-risk industry.

The state chamber is also working to improve funding for roads and bridges repair and construction; will oppose an immigration bill that negatively impacts business; will work to assure the state's tax system is fair and responsive; will oppose attempts to reduce or repeal economic development incentive; and will work to empower rural community to help themselves.

Mason encouraged chamber members to contact the state chamber with any concerns they have about upcoming legislation.