By AP
Oklahoma City, OK –
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma lawmakers have elected Rep. Kris Steele of Shawnee as the new speaker of the state House and Sen. Brian Bingman of Sapulpa as president pro tem of the Senate.
Lawmakers formally elected the chambers' leaders on Tuesday during a one-day organizational meeting of the 2011 Legislature. Steele and Bingman had already been designated for the jobs by Republican majorities in the two chambers.
Members of the state House also named Rep. Jeff Hickman of Dacoma as speaker pro tem, the position formerly held by Steele.
Steele says his goal as speaker is to adopt "sensible reforms" that will help grow the state's economy and create jobs.
Lawmakers will return to the state Capitol on Feb. 7 to begin considering legislation filed by members of the 2011 Legislature.