McCall Restructures Speaker’s Office Staff in Cost-Cutting Effort
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 8, 2016
McCall Restructures Speaker’s Office Staff in Cost-Cutting Effort
OKLAHOMA CITY – Intent on saving taxpayer dollars and increasing efficiency, House Speaker-designate Charles A. McCall has reorganized the staff structure in the Speaker’s Office and selected staff for the 56th Legislature.
McCall said the personnel budget for his office will be nearly half a million dollars less than the Speaker staff budget in 2004 and will also be significantly lower than that of any previous Speaker office during the last twelve years.
“As all Oklahomans are aware, the historic collapse of the oil and gas industry resulted in a $1.3 billion budget shortfall during the last legislative session,” said Speaker-designate McCall, R-Atoka. “We also know the 2017 budget will present more challenges. Our economy is forcing families to tighten their belts, and they expect the same from those who they sent to the state Capitol to represent them. Our staff can be leaner and more efficient, and I believe we can still serve our citizens with excellence.”
As part of the new staff structure, two positions that have traditionally been full-time, year-round jobs have been transitioned into full-time positions during session but on-call positions during the interim.
Richard Rose, a partner in the Oklahoma City law firm of Mahaffey and Gore, will return to the House as chief of staff and will also serve as special counsel to the Speaker. Rose previously served as chief of staff under former House Speaker T.W. Shannon and as special counsel to former House Speaker Jeff Hickman. Rose will serve through the upcoming legislative session before returning to his law practice during the interim. During the interim he will serve the House on an “as needed” basis before returning again during the 2018 legislative session.
Jake Parsons will join the Speaker’s Office as a leadership assistant and policy coordinator during the session and will also have a reduced role during the interim. Parsons most recently served as director of operations at the Oklahoma Republican Party.
Jason Sutton, who has served in the House for nine years – most recently as director of the House Media Division – will serve as press secretary and senior advisor for public affairs for the Speaker’s Office. In another cost cutting measure by McCall, Jason will also serve as press secretary for the Republican leadership and the House Majority Caucus. Sutton, a licensed attorney, has also previously served as communications director for the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.
Ashley Scott and Tonya Pogue, who both served under former House Speaker Jeff Hickman, will remain in the Speaker’s Office. Scott will continue her role as appointments director and legislative coordinator under McCall while Pogue will serve as scheduler and assistant to the Speaker.
Nitasha Baker, who served as McCall’s legislative assistant prior to his election as Speaker-designate, will transition to the Speaker’s Office and serve as constituent services and legislative assistant.
McCall said his staff has a good balance of experience, knowledge and energy.
“I am very pleased that we were able to attract such a quality group of policy, legal and communications professionals,” said McCall. “This is a staff that has a lot of experience and familiarity with the legislative process of our state Capitol and good chemistry with the legislators. The majority caucus will depend on them to help steer conservative, pro-growth bills through the Legislature and communicate those plans to our citizens.”
The 56th Legislature convenes for “Organizational Day” on January 3 to formally elect House leadership and certify the members of the House of Representatives. The House reconvenes on February 6 to begin the legislative session.
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