State Lawmakers Return For One-Day Organizational Session

Monday, January 1st 2007, 10:40 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Senate adopted a historic power-sharing agreement Tuesday in a new twist to what is usually a mundane event -- a one-day organizational meeting of the Oklahoma Legislature.

Sen. Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, was elected president pro tem for 11 months of the year. Morgan urged his colleagues to seize the moment by setting aside partisanship and acting as "a team of rivals" to get the people's business done.

"The eyes of Oklahoma will be upon each and every one of us," he said. "It is a time to set aside personal interests and personal bias."

Sen. Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, was chosen co-president pro tem and to serve as pro tem in July.

Coffee had similar remarks to those of Morgan. "There is a historic nature to what has happened today," he said.

Coffee urged his fellow senators to "put the people first in all that we do."

Tuesday's meeting was mandated in the state Constitution to take place every other year after the general election. The House and Senate will be in recess until Feb. 5, when lawmakers will begin considering legislation and hear Gov. Brad Henry's address to a joint session.

The Nov. 7 election left the Senate with 24 Democrats and 24 Republicans, forcing leaders to reach an agreement on sharing power.

Since statehood, Republicans have never been in the majority in the Senate or in a position to share power.

They seized control of the House two years ago, however, and kept their 13-member majority in the November election.

Rep. Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, was elected speaker after the House convened a noon meeting. At 35, he is the youngest speaker in the nation.

"My goal is to find the best ideas from the best minds in Oklahoma and I'm asking the state's leaders to join with me in seeking citizen input across Oklahoma," Cargill said.

"As lawmakers, we must inspire the people of this state, not dictate policies to them. Oklahoma's second century is full of promise and it should be about creating a state that is innovative and forward-thinking."

Cargill was nominated by his caucus to succeed Todd Hiett, who became the first Republican speaker of the Oklahoma House in eight decades.

Hiett, R-Kellyville, was term limited and lost his race for lieutenant governor to Democrat Jari Askins of Duncan.

Because of the 24-24 split in the Senate, Askins can cast a vote to break ties under the state Constitution. She was elected to replace Republican Mary Fallin, who was elected to the U.S. House from the 5th Congressional District.

Republicans picked up a net of one seat in the Senate to tie Democrats in the 48-member chamber for the first time.

State offices were closed Tuesday under an executive order issued by Henry so Oklahomans can observe the national Day of Mourning declared by President Bush to honor the memory of former President Gerald Ford.

Lawmakers planned to take a break from their formal duties Tuesday afternoon for a moment of silence in honor of Ford, who was eulogized earlier during memorial services in Washington.