Benge Praises NBA Quality Jobs Act Bill; Henry Quickly Signs It Into Law

With the quick signature of Governor Henry, Oklahoma has done its part to attract its first major league sports team following the House passage of an expansion of the Quality Jobs Program today, House Speaker Chris Benge said.

The legislation, which expands the program to include the NBA and the 170 jobs with a $74 million payroll it is estimated to bring to the state, passed the House and went to Henry for action; he quickly signed it into law.

Senate Bill 1819 also extends the act to cover a 15-year period and puts a reimbursement cap on the incentives from the state to not exceed the top tax rate in Oklahoma. Currently the tax rate is 5.5 percent.

The change is part of a requested financial package the team needed to make the move to Oklahoma. The NBA relocation committee is expected to vote Friday on a request to move the SuperSonics basketball team from Seattle to Oklahoma City.

If the team moves to Oklahoma, the state will be one of only 22 states and 28 cities with a team. Benge, House author of the legislation, said bringing a major league team to Oklahoma City financially benefits the entire state.

“By having a professional sports team in Oklahoma we will gain exposure to our state nationally and internationally,” said Benge, R-Tulsa. “This will provide an opportunity to compete for additional jobs to come to the state.”

On ESPN alone, Benge said, Oklahoma will be mentioned every game night and be seen by 90 million viewers. That is not to mention scores being listed on just about every TV station and in every newspaper in the country.

“Employers not only look at the business climate of the state when looking to relocate, but they also look at available workforce, the state’s tax structure, and the quality of life the state would offer its employees,” said Benge. “There is no doubt having a major league sports team puts us in competition with other states when businesses are looking to move.”

It is estimated that local and state tax revenue to the state over a 15 year period will be $11.2 million.

“This is likely a once in a lifetime opportunity for our state, and I am glad we will be able to say we did all we could do to bring a team to Oklahoma,” said Benge.

Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee said, “The State of Oklahoma has done its part to help attract an NBA franchise to Oklahoma. Landing a major league sports team will provide an economic benefit to the entire state, and will put Oklahoma on the map as a ‘major league’ state." Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, author of SB 1819, added, “This is fabulous news for the people of Oklahoma.”

Coffee noted that the state budget won’t be impacted because the rebates provided for in this bill would come from funds that the state wouldn’t receive at all if the NBA doesn’t locate a team here.

The bill passed the House with a vote of 67-32 today and will now go to the governor for his signature.

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