The Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce plays a crucial role in advocating for its members and strengthening businesses within the community. One of the key strategies employed by the Chamber is building relationships with local legislators. These efforts are aimed at fostering a favorable business environment, promoting economic growth, and addressing challenges faced by businesses in Tecumseh and surrounding areas.

By actively engaging with local legislators and advocating for policies that support business growth and prosperity, our members play a vital role in strengthening the business community and fostering economic development in the region.

Join us for one of our monthly Legislative Lunches to speak with our representatives face-to-face. Registration is required and lunch is provided for our members. Thank you to our 2026 sponsors, Gilbert Insurance & Tecumseh Tag Agency, Canadian Valley Electric, Countywide & Sun, and Berkshire Hathaway.

Tecumseh Chamber Legislative Update

February 2026 – Session Overview

The Tecumseh Chamber recently hosted our second Legislative Lunch of the year, bringing together local business leaders and state representatives to discuss priorities impacting our community.

Below are the most significant themes emerging from current legislative discussions:

1. Workforce Development

Workforce shortages remain the top concern across Oklahoma. Key focus areas include:

• Skilled trades training
• Healthcare workforce recruitment
• Teacher retention
• Career readiness partnerships

Continued investment in programs such as Gordon Cooper Technology Center and local school-to-career pipelines is expected to remain a priority.

2. Infrastructure Investment

Legislators continue to prioritize:

• Rural road and bridge improvements
• Broadband expansion
• Water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades

Infrastructure funding is critical for business growth, economic development, and community stability.

3. Tax Policy & Business Climate

Discussions are ongoing regarding:

• Income tax structure adjustments
• Business incentives
• Regulatory reform

Any changes could directly affect operating costs and reinvestment strategies for small businesses.

4. Education & Career Readiness

Education remains central to long-term workforce sustainability. Topics include:

• Teacher recruitment and retention
• School funding models
• Career Tech partnerships
• Accountability and performance standards

Communities like Tecumseh — where business and education are closely tied — will continue to monitor these discussions closely.

5. Rural Healthcare Stability

Legislators acknowledged ongoing challenges with:

• Hospital sustainability
• Access to care in rural communities
• Healthcare workforce shortages

Healthcare stability directly impacts workforce participation and economic growth.

6. Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Funding for law enforcement, emergency management, and disaster response remains a priority — particularly important for communities that have experienced severe weather events.

Why This Matters

Policy decisions at the Capitol influence:

• Hiring and workforce availability
• Business operating costs
• Infrastructure expansion
• Education systems
• Healthcare access

📱 Stay Connected with the Oklahoma Legislative Guide App

Thanks to Canadian Valley Electric for sharing this free app from the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives.

The Oklahoma Legislative Guide app gives you:
• Contact information for state and federal legislators
• Committee assignments and district maps
• Interactive search by county or district
• Easy access to legislative calendars and member contact data

Why it matters:
This tool makes it easy for business owners and residents to connect with elected officials, look up who represents them, and stay informed about bills and session progress — right from your phone or tablet.

📲 Available for free on Apple and Android devices (search “Oklahoma Legislative Guide”).  Legislative App & Guide – Oklahoma Assn of Electric Cooperatives

The Tecumseh Chamber remains committed to ensuring our business community’s voice is heard and represented throughout the legislative session.

Legislative Kickoff Luncheon Recap: What to Watch in the Upcoming Oklahoma Legislative Session

As Oklahoma’s legislative session approaches, local business leaders and community members gathered to hear directly from state legislators about the challenges and priorities shaping the year ahead. Education, mental health, healthcare, taxation, and workforce development emerged as central themes—each with significant implications for rural communities and small businesses.

Below is a recap of the key discussions and what they could mean for our region.

Education: Literacy, Workforce, and the Future of Learning

Education remains one of the most talked-about issues at the Capitol, with a strong emphasis on early literacy.

Key Points:

• Legislators stressed the importance of ensuring children can read proficiently by third grade, marking the shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”
• The proposed Smart Readers Act (HB 4420) focuses on early screening, targeted interventions, and improved reading outcomes.
• While no final funding figure is attached yet, the bill is expected to include targeted investments to help students stay on track.

Workforce Connection:

• CareerTech, apprenticeships, and workforce alignment were repeatedly emphasized.
• Lawmakers highlighted the growing demand in aviation, healthcare, skilled trades, and technical fields.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping education and workforce training, prompting discussions about major investments to ensure Oklahoma stays competitive.

Why this matters for small towns:
Strong literacy and workforce pipelines are essential for attracting employers, supporting local businesses, and ensuring students can stay—and thrive—in rural communities.

Mental Health: A Crisis Reaching Every Community

Mental health was described as one of the most urgent and unresolved challenges facing Oklahoma.

Key Points:

• State mental health systems continue to face instability, including budgeting issues and delayed care.
• Legislators shared real-world examples of families and children waiting months for psychiatric services.
• An estimated 40–70% of county jail populations have mental health needs, placing additional strain on local law enforcement and courts.

Community Role:

• Speakers emphasized that government alone cannot solve the mental health crisis.
• Churches, nonprofits, schools, and community organizations were identified as essential partners.
• Local, grassroots solutions were encouraged as part of a broader support network.

Why this matters for rural communities:
Limited access to providers means rural areas feel these challenges first—and often the hardest. Community-based collaboration will be critical.

Healthcare & Medicaid: Budget Pressures Ahead

Healthcare funding is expected to be a major budget driver over the next several years.

Key Points:

• Oklahoma faces significant shortfalls in healthcare funding, including Medicaid.
• Legislators discussed concerns about long-term sustainability, federal matching dollars, and limited flexibility due to constitutional requirements.
• Rural healthcare access—especially hospitals and clinics—was highlighted as a growing concern.

Why this matters for small businesses:
Healthcare costs directly impact employers, employees, and the overall cost of doing business in Oklahoma.

State Budget & Government Efficiency

Lawmakers repeatedly returned to one core responsibility: passing a balanced budget.

Key Points:

• Revenue growth appears to be slowing, increasing pressure on state agencies.
• Legislators expressed concern that agencies consistently request budget increases without demonstrating efficiencies.
• Several lawmakers advocated for flat budgets and closer scrutiny of spending.

Small business perspective:
Just like businesses and families adjust when revenue changes, legislators argued that government should do the same—focusing on efficiency before asking taxpayers for more.

Taxes: Property (Ad Valorem), Income, and Grocery Tax Debates

Tax policy generated some of the most extensive discussion.

Property Taxes (Ad Valorem):

• Multiple proposals aim to reduce or freeze property taxes, particularly for seniors.
• Some legislators support phasing out the homestead portion of property taxes over several years.
• Others raised concerns about impacts on schools, counties, renters, and small businesses.

Replacement Funding:

• Debate continues over how lost revenue would be replaced—or whether government should be required to “right size” instead.
• One proposed approach includes reinstating the grocery tax to offset reductions for seniors and homeowners.

Why this matters locally:
Property taxes fund schools, counties, and infrastructure. Changes could affect public services, renters, and business costs—making this a key issue to watch.

Workforce Development & Economic Growth

Workforce readiness was framed as both an opportunity and a caution.

Key Points:

• Oklahoma is investing in training aligned with future industries, including healthcare and aviation.
• Leaders emphasized the importance of balance—not overcorrecting toward trends that may change quickly.
• Skilled trades like plumbing, HVAC, and construction were highlighted as stable, in-demand careers.

For entrepreneurs and employers:
Private businesses—not government—were repeatedly identified as the most agile and effective solution to workforce needs.

What This Means for Small Businesses & Rural Communities

Throughout the discussion, several consistent themes emerged that directly affect small towns and local employers:

• Local voices matter: Legislators encouraged business owners and residents to engage directly—not just through lobbyists.
• Cost matters: Mandates, regulations, and unfunded requirements often raise costs that ultimately fall on consumers and small businesses.
• Community solutions work: Whether addressing mental health, workforce gaps, or economic development, local collaboration is essential.
• Engagement is critical: This session—especially in an election year—creates opportunities for communities to influence priorities.

Looking Ahead

The upcoming legislative session is expected to be challenging, complex, and consequential. Education, healthcare, mental health, taxation, and workforce development will dominate discussions, with real impacts on Oklahoma’s rural communities.

As always, staying informed and engaged will be key to ensuring policies reflect the needs of local businesses, families, and communities.

Set your calendars with these dates for our upcoming Legislative Lunches and your opportunity to join us in these conversations: February 20th, April 10th, and June 12th.

Senator

Shane Jett

District 17

405-521-5539

shane.jett@oksenate.gov

Senator

Grant Green

District 28

405-521-5547

grant.green@oksenate.gov