Shannon Forecasts Noisy, Though Productive Session
Lawton Republican Legislator Set to Become Speaker

By ROBERT E. BARNES
Special to the Chronicle

Speaker-Designate T.W. Shannon (Rep., Lawton) expects a noisy but productive legislative session this year.
Some of that noise might turn out to be caused by anticipated efforts by social conservatives to undermine the authority of the leadership in the State House.
State Rep. Shannon was named speaker-designate last year with the support of those far rightwing conservatives, and he defeated the legislator supported for the post by the speaker.
“Some of it is paranoia,” State Rep. Shannon said in an interview with The Oklahoman regarding speculation about troublemaking. 
“Frankly, we’ve all pledged to support the speaker,” the speaker-designate said. 
“There will be times that we disagree with any speaker,” State Rep. Shannon continued.  “That’s part of it.  But Republicans pull together when it’s time to do it.”
State Rep. Shannon said he and Speaker Kris Steele (Rep., Shawnee) get along and that he expects a smooth transition when it is time for him to succeed the current speaker next year. 
Speaker Steele cannot seek reelection this year because of legislative term limits.  His term ends in mid-November.
“More often than not, I think our caucus will unite and get things done for the people of Oklahoma,” State Rep. Shannon said.
He said he’s hopeful that House Republicans can have as productive a session as they did last year, when they passed pro-business measures that changed how lawsuits are handled and procedures in workers compensation court.
House Republicans elected State Rep. Shannon in November as designated speaker.  
The Lawton Republican defeated the current speaker’s choice, Speaker Pro Tempore Jeff Hickman (Rep., Fairview).
That caused some in the House Republican caucus to proclaim that State Rep. Shannon’s victory was a repudiation of the speaker’s leadership.
House Republicans often quarreled among themselves during the last legislative session.
Social conservative members were upset that Speaker Steele focused on economic development, and they, instead, wanted measures taken up that would deal with expanding gun rights and making illegal immigration laws tougher. 
About 10 House Republicans often sided with Democrats to delay the effective date of measures by four or five months.
Emails from the conservative Sooner Tea Party have been sent to legislators indicating that some House Republicans would team with Democrats to oust State Rep. Steele as speaker. 
The rhetoric about an ouster quieted as the start of this year’s session approached, and House Minority Leader Scott Inman (Dem., Del City) has said Democrats “certainly hope that there’s no push for an ouster.”
House Republicans will meet after November’s general elections to select a speaker-elect.
Speaker-Designate Shannon is the favorite to win the spot.  The choice of speaker by House Republicans, who have a 68-31 advantage, stands to be elected speaker early next year.