New representatives prepare for session
State House: Legislators vow to support economic development, energy, schools
Oklahoma State House: New representatives prepare for session
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By Michael McNutt
Published: August 3, 2008
A doctor, a farmer and a real estate agent will be among the newest members of the state House of Representatives
All three won their House races in Tuesday's primary. Because they have no opponents in the Nov. 4 general election, they will be sworn in as House members in November.
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Bringing rural expertise
Kouplen won the Democratic primary for House District 24, which covers parts of Creek, Hughes, Okfuskee and Okmulgee counties. Ritze won the GOP primary for House District 80, which covers parts of Tulsa County, and Kirby won the House District 75 seat, which covers parts of Broken Arrow and east Tulsa.
"I've got a lot to learn,” said Kouplen, a farmer and rancher. "But being from a big, rural district hopefully I can bring a lot of that expertise.”
Kouplen, 57, said he hopes to help rural areas with economic development.
"With the energy situation being what it is in this country, renewable fuels and solar energy and wind energy” could be economically feasible and advantageous to rural areas, he said. He's mostly concerned about education, energy independence, improving roads and bridges, attracting new jobs and rural health care.
Ritze, 59, a past chairman of the Tulsa County Republican Party, said he supports less taxes and less government.
A physician and surgeon, Ritze said he's delivered more than 2,000 babies.
He also supports House Bill 1804, the immigration laws that took effect last year.
He said he backs economic development as well as workers' compensation and lawsuit reform. Businesses, he said, should flourish with minimal government intervention.
Kirby, who ran unsuccessfully for another House seat 16 years ago, said he supports adequately funding the state's roads and bridges.
He said he wants to improve the business climate for Oklahoma to make it easier for businesses to come to the state and to retain existing businesses.
Kirby, 50, said he backs properly funding public schools and competitive salaries for teachers.
"There's a need for me as a freshman to listen and learn and to see what I can do to help out,” said Kirby, a former minister. "I'm just excited and anxious.”
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