Democratic leader Danny Morgan of Prague was nominated, but withdrew, he said, to show bipartisan support in the House, which is controlled by Republicans, 57-44.
“Now is the time for all legislators to roll up their sleeves and work hard for their constituents,” said Morgan.
The speaker’s position was vacated a week ago when Lance Cargill stepped down because of tax problems.
“Today is a new day in the House of Representatives,” said Benge, who got into the race for speaker late after the acting speaker, Rep. Gus Blackwell, dropped out Thursday night because he was late paying property taxes.
“We have much to do, and today marks a return to policy debates and discussions here at the Capitol. Instead of throwing stones and pointing fingers, we must move past the partisan bickering that often takes hold here at the Capitol, especially in election years,” Benge said.
Benge has served the past three years as chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee. He will name someone else to that post.
“Our agenda for 2008 is not made up of ideas from a few members, but themes all House Republicans approved,” Benge said. “I don’t have a personal agenda other than to bring this caucus together and elevate their ideas. Together, we are the ones who will move this state forward.”
Nearly all House Republicans stood around Benge as he talked to reporters. The Republican members met for about 90 minutes in closed session. It took them two rounds of voting before Benge was elected.
Two candidates who also sought the speaker’s post, Reps. John Wright of Broken Arrow and Dale DeWitt of Braman, were among those standing around Benge. Missing were Rep. Susan Winchester of Chickasha, who also was a candidate, Cargill and Blackwell.
Blackwell, who is speaker pro tempore, or the No. 2 House position, dropped out of the speaker's race Thursday because he had been late for the last 13 years in paying his property taxes.
He was named acting speaker a week ago today when Cargill, of Harrah, resigned as speaker.
Benge, 45, was the only member of the House leadership team vying for the speaker's post. He was elected to the House in 1998 and said last week's events "are very unusual."
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The Oklahoman has reported on numerous occasions that over 90% of committees never meet. What they need to do is to eliminate all committees. However, I am sure too many legislators noses would be out of joint because of the “prestige/honor/power” that comes with being the head of the committee or a member of it for that to happen. In that case allow the committee to exist and let the committee make their “expert” opinion if a bill should Pass or Fail (if they are good at their jobs, they should easily be able to convince their colleagues in the full House or Senate to vote the way they recommend). Probably an equal number of good and bad bills die in committee. The way it is now, if a bill doesn’t make it out of a committee, the peoples representatives never get a chance to debate it or vote on it. Unless your representative serves on the committee, you have no representation. I have written several times to members of a committee, and because I wasn’t in their particular district I was told they couldn’t address my concerns (out of “professional courtesy”). All bills should be dealt with in an orderly fashion and every bill should be heard and acted upon by ALL of the legislators (in their respective chambers).
Hey, that was a classy move for Danny Morgan to withdraw as a candidate for Speaker, in a show of support for bipartisanship. Hope it's taken sincerely by the majority party!
Oh I did we forget that the House appropriations staff under Chairman Benge could not figure out how to add all of the sections of an appropriation bill together last year? Gosh I can't wait for the next 100 good ideas from the House Republican leadership. Maybe they will start with making all legislators who don't pay their taxes resign from office. They are state employees aren't they?
The Republicans picked the author of a blantantly unconsitutional appropriation bill for centenial projects after campaigning vigorously against democrats for years because the democrats passed unconstitutional appropriation bills. Does it get any better than this? All the Republicans can offer is the same thing the democrats offered. I prefer democrats in this worst of all choices. Congradulations Speaker Benge and may God protect us from you.
Lynn, Democrats monopolized control of the legislature virtually since statehood. During that time, Republicans learned well how the minority is to be treated, as precious few of their bills ever made it out of committee and most of those never quite made it onto the floor for a vote. Now that the shoe is on the other foot is perhaps a little late to complain the majority should be less "ideological." Reap what ye sow.
Justin, the issue isn't the non-payment or late payment of taxes; things happen. It's the hypocrisy of leadership that sets themselves up as moral and fiscal arbiters, then don't hold themselves to the same standards they expect normal citizens to follow. The arrogance in those actions is ridiculous, and those who screwed up (no matter WHAT party, for the record) deserve to have their feet held to the fire. However, the flames should be especially high for those who claim some sort of moral high ground.
Chris, is that what it sounds like? I can't say I "personally" have a problem with it, though I am able to make the determination of what makes one a hypocrite without being beaten over the head with it. The Oklahoman reporters are acting like they've broken the biggest case since the Oklahoma County Commissioners scandal in the early 80s. It just so happens that there are *plenty* of people that don't file or pay their taxes on time. I tend to not take that fact "personally", either. Is it only people in leadership positions that you have this problem with, or do you feel the need to fish for the smaller tax scofflaws as well?
Well Justin, anyone can look up real property taxes on the Oklahoma County Assessor's website, which by the way, is one of the best assessor's websites in the country. Personally I have a problem with politicians, especially those in leadership positions, that don't file tax returns or chronically pay their property taxes late. Sounds like you don't have a problem with this?
The past two former speakers continually refused to let bills sponsored by Democratic legislators to get much of a hearing during the sessions. I hope this new speaker will be less of an ideologue as they were.
Has someone from The Oklahoman checked up on his taxes yet? That's obviously more important than what they've actually done or plan on doing as a legislator.
Representative Chris Benge, graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Business, member of Southwest Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, Sand Springs Rotary Club, Term Limited 2010.
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