Earlier this week, the Oklahoma Legislature met for the constitutionally-required Organizational Day, where both legislative chambers formally elected their leadership and passed the rules package by which their respective bodies will operate for the next term.
House Elects Speaker, Speaker Pro Tempore
OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 7th) – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today elected Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, as Speaker of the House and Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, as Speaker Pro-Tempore for the 60th Legislature.
"I am excited and deeply humbled to serve the state of Oklahoma in this capacity," said Hilbert. "This is not a responsibility I take lightly. Our state faces enormous challenges. Many of these won’t be solved overnight or even during our time in the Legislature. But our calling is greater: to tackle generational challenges, even if we don’t see the solutions come to fruition during our tenure.”
The Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives is the body’s chief presiding officer and is responsible for committee appointments, the flow of legislation and the management of the House budget and staff. The speaker also serves as an ex-officio voting member on all House committees.
In Hilbert's eight-year tenure in the House, he has authored over 40 bills that have been signed into law. Oklahoma’s budget is in better shape than it has ever been and the budget negotiation process is more transparent than ever, due in part to Hilbert’s efforts as Vice Chairman of the Appropriations and Budget Committee and his previous leadership positions.
Hilbert, 30, will be the youngest House speaker in Oklahoma state history and only the second Republican speaker 30 years old or younger in any state since 1873. Hilbert was elected in 2016 to represent House District 29, which contains portions of rural Creek and Tulsa counties. He holds a bachelor's degree in agribusiness and a master’s in business administration from Oklahoma State University, where he also served as Student Government Association President.
Hilbert and his wife, Alexis, have two daughters, Addison (5) and Dorothy (2). The family lives in Bristow and are members of Foundation Church in Sapulpa.
The Speaker Pro Tempore is the second-highest ranking officer in the House and assists the Speaker in managing the legislative agenda, guiding bills through the legislative process and coordinating with committees.
"I am truly grateful for this opportunity given to me by my peers and I am eager to get to work with Speaker Hilbert," said Moore. "Together, we will focus on strengthening our state's economy and addressing the needs of all Oklahomans—whether in schools, on our roads, in hospitals, workplaces, or public service agencies. The best days for Oklahoma are still ahead."
Moore was elected to the House in 2020. He most recently served as chair of the House Higher Education and Career Tech Committee as well as a member of the Appropriations & Budget Committee, among others. During his time in office, he has voted on legislation to protect life and the Second Amendment, reduce rules and regulations, lower taxes, defend property owners' rights, preserve water resources, and protect girls' sports and parental rights. He's demanded law and order and voted to improve education and teacher pay, among many other conservative causes.
Moore is a fifth-generation native of Custer County. He's a graduate of Clinton High School and holds a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma Christian University and a law degree from Oklahoma City University. He and his wife, Rachel, and their three children, live in Clinton.
The 60th legislature will convene on Monday, February 3, 2025, for the first regular session.
Pro Tem Paxton Officially Named Senate President Pro Tempore
OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 7th) – Senate Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, today was officially named as the new leader of the Senate after a full vote by the Senate during the chamber’s bi-annual Organizational Day.
“It is the absolute honor of a lifetime to be voted on by my peers to hold this prestigious title,” Pro Tem Paxton said. “I humbly thank the members of the Senate who voted for me today and have entrusted me with this distinction. I will do everything in my power to ensure the integrity and honor of the Senate is upheld and will always do what is right for the citizens of the state of Oklahoma. Together, we have proven that when the Oklahoma Senate works with purpose, determination and unity, we can deliver results that positively impact the lives of Oklahomans.
“I thank my family, friends, citizens of District 23 who have continued to elect me to the Senate and especially my wife Misti, who all have shown their confidence in me to assume this new role. The Senate will continue to be at the forefront of advancing policies that will make Oklahoma a better place to live, work and raise a family. I look forward to continuing this important work. Oklahoma’s best days are ahead of us.”
Pro Tem Paxton was confirmed by a vote of 39-8, along party lines.
Leader Munson announces House Democratic Caucus Leadership Team for 60th Oklahoma Legislature
OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 7th) – Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, announced leadership roles for members of the House Democratic Caucus for the 60th Oklahoma Legislature.
"I am pleased the House Democratic Caucus will be returning to the State Capitol for the 60th Legislature with all twenty members," Leader Munson said. "All of our members have done what they promised they would do—bring our shared values to the State House and work on behalf of everyday Oklahomans who need champions to solve the real problems they face. The House Democratic Caucus Leadership Team reflects the diversity of our state and our Caucus with a commitment and continued focus on bettering the lives of working Oklahomans. We are ready and well-equipped to work with our colleagues across the aisle to find common sense solutions while ensuring every Oklahoman is prioritized in our decision making during the legislative session. I am proud to lead alongside this group of Oklahomans who have an unwavering work ethic to realize a vision where every person in our state can and will thrive."
- House Democratic Leader: Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City
- House Democratic Assistant Leader: Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa
- House Democratic Caucus Chair: Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater
- House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair: Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa
- House Democratic Caucus Floor Leader: Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City
- House Democratic Caucus Whip: Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City
- House Democratic Caucus Secretary: Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City
The First Regular Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature shall convene at Noon on January 7, 2025, for the purposes only of performing the duties set forth in Section 5 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution and organizing pursuant to the provisions of Article V of the Oklahoma Constitution, and shall recess no later than 5:00 pm on that same day until February 3, 2025.
OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 7th) – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt issued the following statement after the members of the Senate Democratic Caucus nominated and unanimously supported her as president pro tempore during Tuesday’s Organizational Day meeting.
“This vote reflects that Senate Democrats have a unified vision for the state where every child gets a world-class education, every Oklahoman has a good-paying job, and every Oklahoma family has the resources to be healthy. We feel compelled to use every avenue possible to advocate for that vision and our fellow Oklahomans. Throughout the 60th Legislature, Senate Democrats will continue to be a strong voice for common-sense policy solutions that expand the opportunities and freedoms every Oklahoman deserves.
“We offer our sincere congratulations to President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton. Our caucus looks forward to working with Pro Tem Paxton on bipartisan solutions to our state’s challenges on behalf of all Oklahomans.” – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City.
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