New Senators Take Oath, Look Forward to '99 Session

The 1999 class of the Oklahoma State Senate is officially in place today.

New Senators and incumbents who won re-election bids were formally sworn-in this morning by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Yvonne Kauger.

The lawmakers were administered the oath of office during ceremonies in the Senate Chamber. Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor, who also took the oath for another four-year term, presided over the occasion.

"I'm looking forward to working with the new Senate, especially our freshman members. We will be facing a number of challenges in the coming months, and I have confidence that this body will be able to address them responsibly and effectively."

The 1998 class includes four new Senators: Johnnie Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, Glen Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, Scott Pruitt, R-Broken Arrow and Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher.

The 48-member Oklahoma Senate consists of 33 Democrats and 15 Republicans.

"Even though Republicans are outnumbered in the Senate, the majority party will be seeking their input and counsel on all issues. We've always taken a bipartisan approach to solving Oklahoma's problems and that has served us well," said Senator Taylor.

Both the House and Senate will return to the Capitol on January 5th for a one-day organizational meeting. The first regular session of the 47th Oklahoma Legislature will convene on February 1st.

NEW MEMBER INFORMATION

• Johnnie Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, 51 (Teacher) -- District 14
• Glen Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, 31 (Attorney/Businessman) -- District 52
• Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, 54 (Businessman) -- District 22
• Scott Pruitt, R-Broken Arrow, 30 (Attorney) -- District 54

Members sworn in today:

Taylor, Cain, Campbell, Capps, Coffee, Crutchfield, Dickerson, Douglass, Easley, Fisher. Haney, Harrison, Herbert, Hobson, Johnson, Kerr, Leftwich, Maddox, Martin, Mickle, Monson, Pruitt, Shurden.

*Senator Paul Muegge was sworn in on November 9th so he could be in Washington, DC to accept his "Public Official of the Year" award from Governing magazine.