State Legislators meet for Organizational Day. Treat and McCall reelected
Oklahoma City — The State Legislature met Tuesday (January 3) for what is known as “organizational day,” held every two years in odd-numbered years.
On the Senate side, Greg Treat was re-elected as president pro tempore. The vote marks the fifth consecutive session that Treat will serve in this leadership role. Senate members also approved rules for the 59th Legislature that begins February 6, and approved committee membership.
The votes came during the Senate’s organizational day, a constitutional requirement of both the state House and Senate before the start of each two-year session.
“I am humbled and honored beyond measure to be re-elected into this leadership role,” Treat said.
“I take this position very seriously and look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate, across the rotunda in the House and the executive branch to ensure the decisions we are making are for the benefit of Oklahomans. The Senate is ready to meet all the challenges ahead and we look forward to making our state a better place for our families, friends and loved ones to thrive.”
Treat and his wife Maressa have three children: Mason, Cooper and Olivia. He represents District 47 in the Senate, which includes northwest Oklahoma City and portions of Edmond and Deer Creek.
The following individuals were also named to Pro Tem Treat’s leadership team:
* Greg McCortney, R-Ada, Floor Leader
* Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, Assistant Floor Leader
* Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, Assistant Floor Leader
* Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, Appropriations Chair
* Chuck Hall, R-Perry, Appropriations Vice Chair
* Casey Murdock, R-Felt, Whip (elected at caucus retreat)
* Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, Assistant Whip
* Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, Assistant Whip
* Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, Assistant Whip
* Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, Republican Caucus Chair (elected at caucus retreat and ran unopposed)
* David Bullard, R-Durant, Republican Caucus Vice Chairman (elected at caucus retreat)
* Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, Rural Caucus Chair
* Brent Howard, R-Altus, Chief Presiding Officer
Last month, Treat announced his appointments of Senate committees, committee chairs and vice chairs. These appointments were voted on and formalized on Tuesday.
This story includes a complete membership list for each committee:
House of Representatives organizes, re-elects Speaker McCall
Also on Tuesday, the Oklahoma House of Representatives elected Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka, as Speaker of the House for his fourth term.
“It is an honor to have the trust of my colleagues in the House and it is a duty that I do not take lightly,” McCall said.
“During my time in the House, we have worked together to lay the foundation for a stronger Oklahoma. We have made great strides toward improving government efficiency, bolstering our economy and improving education within our state, but more work remains to be done. Over these next two years I look forward to working together with my colleagues in the House, as well as our counterparts in the Senate and executive branch, as we continue to move Oklahoma forward.”
McCall was elected to represent House District 22 in 2012.
McCall and his wife Stephanie live in Atoka County and have two children, Chase and Carson.
The House also adopted rules for the upcoming 59th legislative session, which begins Monday, February 6.
McCall is the longest-serving in state history.
The 59th legislature convenes Monday, February 6.
Note: Patrick B. McGuigan — publisher, editor and founder of CapitolBeatOK.com — prepared this report, adapting it from legislative press releases. CapitolBeatOK.com, established in 2009, is an independent, non-partisan and locally-managed news service based in Oklahoma City.