Asian Chamber emphasizes relationships at second annual Advocacy Day

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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Greater Oklahoma City Asian Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday held its annual advocacy day at the Capitol, where members learned about the legislative process and heard from lawmakers about measures that affect the local Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

The all-day affair is an effort to increase awareness of Asian American businesses, organizations and individuals and to advocate for growth opportunities through education, health literacy and access to resources.

The second iteration of the advocacy day comes 14 months after the founding of the Greater Oklahoma City Asian Chamber of Commerce, which has four operative pillars: recruit Asian-owned businesses, facilitate equitable access to opportunities for Asian businesses and professionals, pursue educational and cultural initiatives for the greater Oklahoma City Asian communities, connect, strengthen and advocate for Asian businesses and professionals in the greater Oklahoma City metro area.

Asian Americans in Oklahoma City contribute $1.25 billion in sales tax with a $203 million payroll, and 55% of all Asians in the state live in the Oklahoma City metro area, according to data compiled by the chamber.

Advocacy Day provided attendees a chance to tour the Capitol and hear from several lawmakers who authored measures currently going through the legislative process for the 2024 session. Legislators emphasized the importance of advocating for business and economic growth, supporting small businesses and cultivating relationships with elected officials.

Scarlet Le-Cao, president of the Greater Oklahoma City Asian Chamber of Commerce, said it’s important that members understand how government works at the state level. She said many of the 67,000 Asian residents in the metro area are first and second-generation.

“Sometimes there is a language barrier as well, so it’s important for us to understand the (functions of state government), and that’s why we educate our members, advocate for them and connect them with elected officials,” Le-Cao said.

State Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, spoke to the chamber about creating opportunities for the next generation and ensuring Oklahoma further distances itself from its perception as a flyover state. State Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa, discussed the role of childcare in the state’s economy and gave a summary of two bills, House Bill 4147, a measure that establishes a 30% tax credit to employers to offset childcare expenses their employees incur, and House Bill 1808, which offers childcare employees free care for their children.

State Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, told attendees Wednesday that while it may seem to some like advocacy efforts from Oklahomans have minimal impact, that’s not actually true.

“I’ve learned that I’m making decisions every single day on stuff that I don’t really know anything about, but you do – you know the issues, and you know the impact of those issues in your life, your business and your community,” Osburn said. “You know how those things are going to affect you. So it’s on you to make sure that I know how those things are going to affect you.”

State Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, said the chamber is not only advocating for themselves but also their neighbors.

“We may not know what’s going on in your neighborhood if we don’t live there,” Thompson said. “I don’t ever want to file any legislation or move forward on a bill that may be harmful, especially to business, and so I am constantly soliciting feedback. I think days like today are so important because you will start to see the same people, and you will build those relationships, and you will learn we’re just people. We’re approachable. We are easy to get in contact with.”

State Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, who also serves as advocacy chair for the chamber, said the emphasis on meeting lawmakers is why the event was moved from May to the middle of session for 2024.

“The Capitol moves around on politics, but life is run on relationships, and that’s what we’ve tried to do for this,” Pae said.