Senate Honors State Treasurer

The Senate has paid tribute to State Treasurer Robert Butkin. The man praised for restoring trust and integrity to that office is stepping down to become Dean of the University of Tulsa School of Law next month. Senate Resolution 21, commending Butkin, was approved unanimously on Thursday.

Butkin was first elected State Treasurer in 1994, then re-elected without opposition in 1998 and 2002. He was praised in the Senate for his work as a tireless advocate for the creation of the Oklahoma College Savings Plan, which is rated as one of the top such programs in the nation. Butkin is also credited for the creation and sound management of the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund as well as many other programs he administered on behalf of the State.

“Robert Butkin epitomizes public service—his only desire was to be the best steward possible for our state and he has more than accomplished that goal. He served Oklahoma with honor and we are extremely grateful for his contributions to state government,” said Sen. Cal Hobson, principal author of the legislation honoring Butkin.

Hobson told members that Butkin had created the finest State Treasurer’s office in the United States.

During his remarks on the floor, Butkin thanked Hobson and the entire Senate for their friendship and support through the years.

“All of you have been my colleagues and friends as we have tried to modernize the Oklahoma State Treasurer’s office for the last ten years and without your support here in the legislature those accomplishments simply would not have been possible.”