Hobson Elected to Second Term as Senate Leader

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson was officially elected to a second term as leader of the State Senate Tuesday as the First Session of the 50th Oklahoma Legislature convened for Organization Day.
Hobson, who served in the House from 1978 to 1990, is entering his 27th year in the Oklahoma Legislature. He was elected Tuesday by a vote of 26-21.

“I am both humbled and energized by my election today. I have said many times that I have the best job in the state of Oklahoma and I have never believed that more than I do today. To be elected by this body to lead this outstanding group of public servants is the greatest honor of my career,” Hobson said.

In his remarks in the Senate Chamber at the Oklahoma State Capitol Tuesday afternoon, Hobson said the coming session will bring both challenges and a chance to move to the state forward.
“We have perhaps the greatest opportunities awaiting us of any legislature in a quarter of a century,” Hobson said.

He said the Legislature should follow the lead of the people of Oklahoma, who showed in three statewide votes in November that they value new investments in education and health care.

The Senate leader noted that the 2005 class of 15 Senate freshmen is the largest in two decades but said it is filled with talented individuals from both parties.

Hobson said that although Republicans and Democrats have their differences there is much they can agree on. He went on to list a number of positive facts about the state as examples – one which received a resounding round of applause and cheers from both the Senate floor the gallery.

He said Oklahoma is a great state which is listed in study after study as one of the most business friendly states in the nation. Oklahoma students have the second highest ACT scores in the southern region and the state is among the top 10 in the number of nationally certified teachers.

“We have the sixth-lowest per capita tax burden in the nation. Dell is coming to Oklahoma City and IBM is expanding in Tulsa. And tonight in Miami we’re going to be No.1 in football again,” said Hobson, whose district includes the University of Oklahoma.

Hobson is a veteran of the Air Force, having served six years of active duty and 26 years in the Air Force Reserves and Air National Guard. He graduated with highest honors from the Squadron Officer School in 1972 and the Air War College in 1993. Hobson retired from military service in 1999 at the rank of colonel.

Hobson was first elected President Pro Tem of the Senate in January 2003. In addition to setting the agenda for the Senate, the president pro tempore is second in the line of succession to the governor, serving as state chief executive when both the governor and lieutenant governor are out of state.
Hobson concluded his up-beat speech by encouraging his Senate colleagues.

“Working together with the Governor and the House I am confident we will maximize these wonderful moments, days and years ahead. Let’s go to work,” Hobson said.