Sen. Sharp receives perfect score for business advocacy

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Research Institute for Economic Development (RIED), a non-partisan organization and producer of the annual RIED Report, a grading system of Oklahoma legislators’ votes on key economic development issues, announced today that Senator Ron Sharp (R-Shawnee) recorded a perfect score of 100 on the 2017 RIED Report. His cumulative average is 98.

Under the RIED evaluation system, legislators earn positive points when they support job creation and economic development issues. Points are deducted when they introduce or vote for legislation that negatively impacts Oklahoma’s business climate.  A score of 70 and above represents a passing grade while 69 and below represents a failing grade.  

“Despite challenges with the state budget this session, economic development, business and job creation continued to be a focal point of the majority of the Oklahoma legislature,” said Susan Winchester, RIED president. “During his tenure in office, Senator Sharp has consistently supported Oklahoma's businesses and worked hard to create jobs in Oklahoma, and his extremely high and consistent RIED scores reflect that.  I appreciate his commitment to creating a stronger state economy.”

During the 2017 session, 11 senators and 12 representatives achieved perfect scores. In addition, over 77% of  legislative members received passing scores of 70 or higher including 31 Senate members(85%) and 68 House members (72%). Three House and two Senate seats were vacant for all or a portion of the legislative session. 

Research Institute for Economic Development was founded in 1997 and is a non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting economic growth through the evaluation of business, job and economic growth issues considered annually by the Oklahoma Legislature. RIED does not lobby issues or endorse candidates.