Roger Thompson was among the 24 new and returning members of the Oklahoma State Senate sworn into office at the Capitol Wednesday. Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, President of the Senate, presided over the ceremony. The oath was administered by the Honorable Douglas L. Combs, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
New members taking the oath of office include David Bullard, R-Durant; Chuck Hall, R-Perry; Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City; Darrell Weaver, R-Moore; Mary Boren, D-Norman; Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City; John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton; Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City; John Haste, R-Broken Arrow; Brenda Stanley, R-Oklahoma City; Brent Howard, R-Headrick; and George Young, D-Oklahoma City.
Returning members include Senators Marty Quinn, R-Claremore; Mark Allen, R-Spiro; Roger Thompson, R-Okemah; James Leewright, R-Sapulpa; Frank Simpson, R-Springer; Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City; Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher; Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City; Kim David, R-Porter; J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso; Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City; and Jason Smalley, R-Stroud.
“When I arrived here four years ago, our state had seen revenue failure after revenue failure. Core functions of government had faced multiple budget cuts. I began working immediately with my fellow members to reform and strengthen our budget process and generate the additional revenues needed for our schools and other vital services,” said Thompson.
“We succeeded in passing the biggest teacher pay raise in the history of the state, reformed and strengthened the budget and worked to help modernize Oklahoma’s tax code. It’s a solid foundation we can build on as we continue to create a better future for all our state.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Greg Treat congratulated Thompson on his continued service in the Senate.
“Senator Thompson has done an excellent job representing his constituents at the Capitol. I’m grateful for his public service and I know he will continue to be a strong voice on behalf of District 8.”
During the previous Legislature, Thompson served as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Finance as well as serving as Vice-Chair of the Senate Republican Caucus.
The full Senate will officially convene for an organizational day on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, and the First Session of the 57th Legislature reconvenes on Monday, February 4. The deadline for requesting bills for the upcoming session is December 7. Those measures must be filed by January 17.