Adair legislator tapped for Senate committee posts

OKLAHOMA CITY –   Newly elected state Senator Micheal Bergstrom was selected this week to serve on several Senate standing committees and two appropriations subcommittees for the upcoming first session of the 56th state legislature.   Bergstrom, who worked for years as a teacher before being elected last month to serve in the state Senate, will serve on the Education committee, as well as the Business, Commerce and Tourism committee.  He was also tapped by Senate President Pro Tempore-designate Mike Schulz to serve on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance as well as the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services.

            ‘The Education Committee was certainly the one I was hoping to be on more than any other," said Bergstrom, R-Adair.  "I know it is the goal of our caucus to make education, in general, and teacher pay, in particular, the top priority this session. So I'm looking forward to a productive session in that regard."

            Bergstrom said he’s also ready to get to work on the other committees as the next legislative session approaches.

"The other committee assignments are like icing on the cake," Bergstrom said. "I think the Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee is a nice fit for me, and both subcommittees focus on areas I will enjoy digging into."

He says his years of experience teaching will offer a unique perspective in his new role as a state lawmaker.

"As a teacher, I always wanted to learn more, partly for personal curiosity and satisfaction, but also so I could be a better teacher," said Bergstrom.  "I think that is what I will enjoy here in the Senate, drilling down into all these areas, looking for solutions to problems, learning a few things along the way, and hopefully becoming a better legislator along the way."

Members will return to the Senate for an organizational day on January 3, 2017, and the session will formally begin on February 6.