OK In-Depth; End of Session Interview with Todd Hiett

This Friday marks the end of the 2005 Oklahoma Legislative session. It's been a busy four months with both the House and the Senate considering a near record number of bills, on topics ranging from transportation and education to prescription drugs and legalization of tattoo parlors. We spoke earlier this week with Republican House Speaker Todd Hyatt about his impressions as the session draws to a close. I think we've had a great session in the Oklahoma Legislature. I think we've accomplished a great deal, but there are a couple of major issues left on the table and so I hope to have those resolved by the end of the week so that I can say we've had a great session. The 50th Legislature marks the first time in 82 years that Republicans have been in control of the Oklahoma House as Speaker of the House. I know you went into this session with pretty high hopes as you look back now, what did that change of power effectively mean for the whole dynamic of how the Legislature operated? Well, it means dramatic change not only for the state legislature, but for the state of Oklahoma because it has changed the debate. This year, now that Republicans hold a majority in the House of Representatives, for the first time you see major pro-life legislation parental notification becoming law.

You see a major highway and bridge maintenance funding plan. You see the largest tax cut in state history. The agenda that we have carried for many years, we see it all passing this year with two exceptions. Workers' comp reform and lawsuit reform are the two issues that have not been resolved. I'm very hopeful and somewhat optimistic that we can work out the Workers' comp reform bill. The lawsuit reform bill I'm a little less optimistic. Some Democratic lawmakers have criticized House Republicans for taking credit for legislation that Democrats had championed and originally authored. Among those items was the abortion bill a tax cut proposed by Governor Henry and an education bill originally authored by Democratic Representative Barbara Stags, but then changed to say that it was authored by Republican Representative Lance Cargo. How do you respond to those criticisms?

Democrats have been in control of the state legislature for over 80 years. They've had 80 years to advance an agenda that would move Oklahoma forward and they failed to do that. The Republicans have been in control of the legislature for less than six months and we have advanced a very aggressive agenda that will move Oklahoma forward. The state Republicans seem pretty upbeat and optimistic after last month's Republican convention in Midwest City and some people had expressed confidence coming out of that that they'd gained control of the Senate next year and possibly win the governorship. Do you share those expectations? I do. I think Oklahoma's views and their vision for the future line up with the Republican Party. How will this first session of the 50th legislature be remembered? I think it will be remembered as a major turning point in Oklahoma. I think Oklahoma is at a point in its history where we are going to turn the corner and shine as a state. I expect us to grow economically. I expect our infrastructure to improve. I think our education system with the new accountability measures that have been passed this year and the increase in curriculum standards along with the additional funding.

I think we'll see Oklahoma become a leader in the area of common education. Speaker Todd Hyatt. Thank you very much. Thank you Scott. Todd Hyatt is a Republican representative from Kellyville and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House. Tomorrow we'll hear a different view from Democratic Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan. I'm KGOU News Director Scott Gurion. Thank you.