Speaker, with new powers, sets table for session

House Speaker Charles McCall was officially elected by his Republican caucus Tuesday to retain control of the state House of Representatives, along with being given more power to call committee meetings and create legislation after deadlines under new rules approved along partisan lines.

“With all due respect to our governor-elect, ‘Oklahoma’s Turnaround’ started right here on this floor two years ago,” said Rep. Terry O’Donnell, R-Catoosa, referring to Gov.-elect Kevin Stitt’s campaign slogan and praising McCall, who first became speaker two years ago.

In his address to House members, McCall continued the theme of an improving state, telling the Legislature that Oklahoma is in better shape today than when he first took leadership of the House, specifically because of a growing budget and a teacher pay raise passed last year.

“They are not my accomplishments, they are our accomplishments,” said McCall, 48, who was first elected in 2013.

Tuesday was an organizational day for House and Senate members who gathered at the state Capitol to formally seat members, adopt rules and prepare for the start of the next legislative session, which begins Feb. 4.

Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, who was elected to the Senate in 2011, was voted by his caucus to lead the state Senate as president pro tempore, his first time to hold the position.

“I am optimistic about the future of our state and feel very blessed to be in a position to help lead Oklahoma to an even better and brighter future,” Treat, 40, said in a statement.

More money for schools possible

Republican leaders have predicted a less chaotic legislative session in 2019, mostly because of an estimated $500 million in additional state revenue.

McCall said the revenue increase should result in more money for public schools.

“First and foremost is to continue our investment in public education,” said McCall, adding that he wants another teacher pay raise to give educators the highest average salary in the region.

Dozens of educators running on a platform to increase school funding were elected to the Legislature last year, including Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, who said McCall’s comments were encouraging.

“What the election showed is that people really care about education, and our system is still in deep trouble, even after the teacher raise,” Waldron said.

McCall also said he wants criminal justice reform to be a major focus in 2019, which drew cautious praise from Democrats.

“When we talk about criminal justice reform it’s a good soundbite but it does require some funding,” said House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman.

Even with the growing state budget, Virgin said her caucus plans to advocate for new tax measures that “don’t put the burden on lower- and middle-class families.”

But with a 76-25 majority in the House (39-9 in the Senate), Republicans can derail any tax increase effort.

Democrats oppose new rules

Virgin and her caucus also spent Tuesday afternoon arguing against proposed rule changes that were approved by House Republicans.

The rule changes allow the speaker to bypass the 48-hour notice to call a committee meeting and require all members be present in the chamber to cast a vote, instead of casting a vote from the fifth-floor gallery, where all Democratic offices are located.

The new rules also ban video recording from the House floor, such as social media live streams that lawmakers have used to connect with constituents.

“We took some strides a couple years ago in terms of openness and transparency, but these rules take a step back from that,” Virgin said. “For a body that’s already exempt from the open records act, we need to be using these rules in every way possible to let the public know what is going on.”

Rep. Jon Echols, the House floor majority leader, said some of the rule changes were designed to make work easier for House staff, who he said were “overworked and underpaid.”

“We have been the most open and transparent leadership (on floor proceedings) in recent state history,” Echols, R-Oklahoma City, said.