State representative Todd Hiett in spotlight as lawmakers return

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Lawmakers will elect Republican Todd Hiett to speaker of the House of Representatives tomorrow.<br/><br/>The election is historic because Republicans haven't held a majority in

Monday, January 3rd 2005, 5:46 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Lawmakers will elect Republican Todd Hiett to speaker of the House of Representatives tomorrow.

The election is historic because Republicans haven't held a majority in the House since the 1921 session.

Republicans secured a 57-44 edge over the 101-member House after the November election.

The GOP advantage makes Hiett's election little more than a formality. Democratic Representative Jari Askins is expected to be nominated by Democrats.

In the Senate, Democrat Cal Hobson is expected to be elected to another two-year term as president pro tem.

The 2005 Oklahoma Legislature has a freshman class of 39 -- the largest since court-ordered redistricting in 1965. Lawmakers will reconvene on February 7th and have until May 27th to finish their work under a constitutional mandate.

Today's meeting of the House and Senate will start at noon. A brief joint session will follow the election of the House and Senate leaders.