Todd Hiett takes over GOP-controlled state House

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Rancher Todd Hiett of Kellyville was elected speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Tuesday.<br/><br/>The 37-year-old Hiett becomes the first Republican speaker in more

Tuesday, January 4th 2005, 10:34 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Rancher Todd Hiett of Kellyville was elected speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Tuesday.

The 37-year-old Hiett becomes the first Republican speaker in more than 80 years.

The GOP holds a 57-to-44 majority in the House, the first GOP majority in the House since the 1921-22 session.

Hiett says he'll be a good listener and will seriously consider the ideas of Democrats and Republicans alike.

In the Senate Tuesday Democrat Cal Hobson was elected to a second two-year term as president pro tem.

Tuesday's organizational meetings are required by the state constitution. The regular session of the Legislature begins February 7th.