Oklahoma House members take oath of office [The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City]
By Michael McNutt, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Rep.
Speaker-elect
Dorman said a special session "is the only way that we are able to come in and address this and not allow the executive branch or the federal government to dictate how we will handle the health care exchange."
"The governor indicated earlier that she did not want to call us back to a special session for any reason," Dorman said. "So this was our opportunity provided to
Dorman needs to get signatures from two-thirds of the
Dorman said the
"That has left us, as far as a state, in a lurch," he said.
Of the 101 members, 88 received oaths of office during a ceremony in the House chamber as about 200 family members and friends packed the overhead gallery.
Eleven were sworn in earlier and two will be sworn in later. Rep.-elect
The recount, requested by Democratic challenger
The year's session ended with 67 Republicans and 31 Democrats. The House now has 16 freshmen -- 13 Republicans and three Democrats.
The terms for newly elected and re-elected members begin Wednesday. Current House terms expire Tuesday.
The swearing-in of House members took just a couple minutes. Then for more than an hour, House members introduced family members and friends.
Shannon, presiding in the speaker's chair for the first time, said lawmakers will be involved next year in helping develop a health care insurance exchange system. A spokesman for Gov.
"We're going to wait to hear the governor's announcement," said Shannon, who was selected last week as House speaker-elect by House Republicans and is in line to be elected speaker when the House holds an organizational day
Rep.
"My constituents do not want me to move forward on that," said Enns, chairman of the
New legislators, meanwhile, said they were excited and humbled to take on state challenges.
Rep.-elect
"So far it's been really surreal," said McCall, a third-generation banker who would like to work on budget or finance committees or subcommittees.
Rep.-elect
"There are Republicans out there that want to work with Democrats and there are Democrats that want to work with Republicans," Floyd said. "I think we've all seen that partisanship just doesn't move
Rep.-elect
"Hopefully we can overcome some partisan bickering and come together to address some real issues," he said. "We've got to determine what we're going to do with regard to the federal mandates on health care and we've got real needs in
Rep.-elect
"I'm thrilled to be not campaigning anymore," Henke said. "I'm ready to get to work."
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