Sen. Haste takes oath of office, begins second term

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. John Haste has been sworn in for a second term in the Oklahoma Senate. 

The ceremony, attended by family and friends, was held in the Senate Chamber on Wednesday, and was presided over by Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell.  The oath of office was administered by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Darby.

“I want to extend my deepest thanks to the citizens of Senate District 36 for their continued support.  I will continue to represent and advocate for the values and priorities of my constituents in the Oklahoma Senate,” Haste said.  “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in my first term, and I’m excited about the opportunities ahead.”

One project that was a top priority for Haste during his first term was a proposed on/off ramp from the Muskogee Turnpike by the Broken Arrow Armory.  He said that transportation infrastructure project is now moving forward.

Haste was also principal Senate author of legislation creating the framework for Oklahoma’s own Imagination Library, modeled after a program founded by entertainer Dolly Parton in her home state of Tennessee.  The public/private partnership  provides free, age appropriate books for children from birth through age five, increasing reading time, kindergarten readiness and helping children score higher on reading tests.

He's also passed legislation supporting and protecting members of law enforcement, measures improving access to medications and health care and championed legislation aimed at reducing suicide rates among Oklahoma’s youth.

Haste currently serves as chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and Transportation, vice chair of Health and Human Services, and holds seats on the full Appropriations Committee, General Government and Transportation.  Haste is also a member of the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding, serving as co-chair of the Health and Human Services Working Group, and is co-chair of the Concurrent Enrollment Task Force.

The full Senate will meet on Jan. 3, 2023, to formally elect leadership for the chamber and adopt rules for the 59^th Legislature.  The 2023 session will formally get underway on Feb. 6.

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For more information, contact:

Sen. John Haste at 405-521-5602 or email John.Haste@oksenate.gov.

CUTLINE:  Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, introduces guests in the Senate Gallery as son, Nate, and wife, Jennifer, look on.  Haste was sworn in for a second term in the Senate on Wednesday.