Cargill Announces Committee Leadership Posts

As lawmakers prepare for the upcoming 2007 legislative session, Oklahoma Speaker-elect Lance Cargill announced Friday chairmanship appointments to the 36 full standing committees and subcommittees within the legislative body -- with a record number of minority party lawmakers serving as chairs.

“This will help the House conduct daily business in a more efficient and streamlined manner,” said Cargill (R-Harrah). “We want good ideas, regardless of political party affiliation. That’s why I’m pleased that we’ve been able to have such a good mix of representation geographically and from both sides of the aisle.”

Cargill noted he had appointed three Democrat members to chair committees -- giving the minority party in the Oklahoma House the most chairmanships in the history of the state. There are 57 Republican lawmakers and 44 Democrats in the House.

As part of announced committee chair appointments, Cargill said he was restructuring the committee framework to include 10 full standing committees and 26 subcommittees. Work on bills will begin in subcommittees before moving to the full committee and then to the floor for action.

“We’re giving more responsibility to lawmakers at the committee level, enhancing the process by making it more thoughtful and deliberative,” said Cargill.

Cargill said he anticipates announcing committee assignments for all 101 members of the Oklahoma House next week. Committees and their new appointed chairs include:

* Appropriations & Budget - Rep. Chris Benge (R-Tulsa), Chair

* Revenue & Taxation Subcommittee - Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore), Chair

* Rules Committee - Rep. Shane Jett (R-Tecumseh), Chair

* Elections & Redistricting Subcommittee - Rep. Trebor Worthen (R-Oklahoma City), Chair

* Education Committee - Rep. Tad Jones (R-Claremore), Chair

* Common Education Subcommittee - Rep. Ann Coody (R-Lawton), Chair

* Higher Education & Career Tech Subcommittee - Rep. Terry Ingmire (R-Stillwater), Chair

* Arts & Culture Subcommittee - Rep. Lee Denney (R-Cushing), Chair

* Judiciary & Public Safety Committee - Rep. Rex Duncan (R-Sand Springs), Chair

* Civil Justice Subcommittee - Rep. Dan Sullivan (R-Tulsa), Chair

* Criminal Justice & Corrections Subcommittee - Rep. Sue Tibbs (R-Tulsa), Chair

* Homeland Security Subcommittee - Rep. David Braddock (D-Altus), Chair

* General Government & Transportation Committee - Rep. Guy Liebmann (R-Oklahoma City), Chair

* Transportation Subcommittee - Rep. Mike Thompson (R-Oklahoma City); Chair

* County & Municipal Government Subcommittee - Rep. R.C. Pruett (D-Antlers), Chair

* Government Modernization, Agency Review & Administrative Rules Subcommittee - Rep. John Wright (R-Broken Arrow), Chair

* Public Health Committee - Rep. Doug Cox (R-Grove), Chair

* Health Subcommittee - Rep. Kris Steele (R-Shawnee), Chair

* Elderly & Long-term Care Subcommittee - Rep. David Dank (R-Oklahoma City), Chair

* Veterans Subcommittee - Rep. Gary Banz (R-Midwest City), Chair

* Human Services Committee - Rep. Ron Peters (R-Tulsa), Chair

* Social Services Subcommittee - Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City), Chair

* Children & Families Subcommittee - Rep. Pam Peterson (R-Tulsa), Chair

* International, Federal & Tribal Relations Subcommittee - Rep. Lisa Billy (R-Purcell), Chair

* Energy & Technology Committee - Rep. Dennis Adkins (R-Tulsa), Chair

* Energy Subcommittee - Rep. Marian Cooksey (R-Edmond), Chair

* Telecommunications & Utility Regulation Subcommittee - Rep. Steve Martin (R-Bartlesville), Chair

* Aerospace & Technology Subcommittee - Rep. Mike Jackson (R-Enid), Chair

* Economic Development & Financial Services Committee - Rep. Ron Peterson (R-Tulsa), Chair

* Insurance & Retirement Subcommittee - Rep. Jeff Hickman (R-Dacoma), Chair

* Banking Subcommittee- Rep. Susan Winchester (R-Oklahoma City), Chair

* Industry & Labor Subcommittee - Rep. Paul Wesselhoft (R-Moore), Chair

* Natural Resources Committee - Rep. Dale DeWitt (R-Braman), Chair

* Agriculture & Commerce Subcommittee - Rep. Don Armes (R-Faxon), Chair

* Tourism & Recreation Subcommittee - Rep. Terry Hyman (D-Leon), Chair

* Environment & Wildlife Subcommittee - Rep. Phil Richardson (R-Minco), Chair

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