Sen. Bice tapped for key leadership role

Although Stephanie Bice is still in her first term in the Oklahoma State Senate, she’s been elevated to a key leadership role for the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions.  Bice has been elected by the Senate Republican Caucus to serve as Assistant Majority Floor Leader of the Senate.

            “The Floor Leader ensures every aspect of the session follows Senate rules and protocol, so that the business of the people is conducted in an orderly way,” said Bice, R-Oklahoma City.  “The Assistant Majority Floor Leader helps with those responsibilities, and from time to time may preside over the entire Senate.”

             Bice, who was first elected to the District 22 Senate seat in 2014, quickly gained state and national attention for her leadership skills.  She was chosen as a GOPAC Emerging Leader and was honored by the State Chamber of Oklahoma with the Rising Star award.  Bice has also served as vice-chair of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee.

            In addition, as a freshman member, Bice successfully tackled the complex task of modernizing Oklahoma’s laws regulating the sale of wine, spirits and beer.  She co-authored the language for State Question 792, which was approved overwhelmingly by Oklahomans earlier this month, marking the first overhaul of such laws since the state repealed prohibition in 1959.  Her efforts have been lauded as a victory for consumers and for economic development.

            Bice said Oklahoma’s economy would be among the issues that will be front and center in 2017.

            “We definitely have some big challenges ahead in the upcoming session.  Oklahoma’s economy is still impacted by low oil prices, and we must continue to improve the appropriations process to enable long-term budget strategies that help us better weather future economic downturns.  We must continue to examine tax preferences and exemptions that don’t result in significant economic benefit for the state,” Bice said. “We’re also very aware of the need to examine a number of revenue possibilities to get more money directly into the classroom while assuring other core services are addressed.”

            “These are issues that will impact our state for years to come, but I am confident we will rise to the challenge, turn the corner, and help create a more prosperous future for Oklahoma,” Bice said.  “As Assistant Majority Leader, I will work side by side with my fellow members to achieve that goal.”