Oklahoma State Cabinet
Encyclopedia
The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma
. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma
and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of the State government.
Cabinet officers are appointed by the Governor, subject confirmation by the Oklahoma Senate
. Once confirmed, all members of the Cabinet receive the title "Secretary" and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Cabinet is responsible for advising the Governor on the operations and policies of the State government.
The current Cabinet is serving under Governor Mary Fallin
.
David Boren first took office, Oklahoma possessed no form of Cabinet system. Taking the example of other states, Governor Boren began holding semi-official and semi-regular meetings with various heads of state agencies whenever necessary. Under Boren’s successor, George Nigh
, following the recommendation of the Nigh Commission
, Oklahoma adopted an official Cabinet system with the enactment of Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
.
In 2009, the Oklahoma Legislature
amended the Executive Branch Reform Act to mandate the establishment of the Secretary of Information Technology.
formally created the cabinet areas. The heads of these executive cabinet area would be given the title of "Secretary" followed by the name of their cabinet area (or a shortened title thereof).
The Governor, within 45 days of taking office, is allowed to create his own cabinet, with anywhere from no less than 10 but no more than 15 "cabinet areas". The Governor is allowed to create any cabinet area he desires and to place whichever agencies, bureaus, and commissions he wants under those cabinet areas. For example, under Governor Frank Keating
, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation
and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
each belonged to separate cabinet areas, while under Governor Brad Henry
the Secretary of Commerce and Tourism was the cabinet secretary for both departments. Alternatively, under Governor Keating, the Secretary of Health and Human Services oversaw the Oklahoma State Department of Health
and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services
while Governor Henry split the posts into a separate Secretary of Health to oversee the Health Department and a separate Secretary of Human Services to oversee the Human Services Department.
Regardless of the number of cabinet areas and their functions, at least one must be the Secretary of Veteran Affairs and must be charged with providing for Oklahoma's veterans and one must be the Secretary of Information Technology and must be charged with overseeing state use of information technology and telecommunications.
Following the Oklahoma Supreme Court
case of Keating v. Edmondson
in 2001, it was deemed illegal for a Governor to change the cabinet areas and their functions past the 45-day deadline unilaterally. In order to change a cabinet area after the first 45 days in office, the Governor must seek approval from the Oklahoma Legislature
via legislation.
. Potential appointees for Secretary positions may be appointed to serve as members of the Office of the Governor or may be selected from among the agency heads within the Secretary's cabinet area. If the Senate is not in session when the Governor nominates an individual, then the Cabinet Secretary serves on an unconfirmed basis until the next session of the Senate. Each Cabinet Secretary is appointed for a four year term but may be removed at any time by the Governor. The only exception to this rule is Oklahoma Secretary of State, who serves a fixed four year term.
Cabinet Secretary positions are semi-formal an are not legally classified as "officers of the State". As such, Cabinet Secretaries are allowed to hold another office within the State government. An example would be Scott Meacham
, who served as both the Secretary of Finances and Revenue and the State Treasurer of Oklahoma
under Governor Brad Henry
.
Cabinet Secretaries do not possess the power to direct or control any agency they represent outside of their ability to gather information. They have no authority to direct or control any agency within their Cabinet Area except their own direct staff. They also doe not have the authority to hire or fire personnel in their Cabinet Area except those on their own direct staff. The compenent agencies are directed and controlled by their respective department heads. The Cabinet Secretaries may only direct a compenent agency when previously authorization by the Governor through executive order or if a Secretary serves concurrently as the head of that agency.
Each Cabinet Secretary is subject to the direction and control of the Governor. All agencies assigned to each Cabinet Secretary exercise their powers and duties in accordnace with the general policy established by the Cabinet Secretary acting on behalf of the Governor. Each Cabinet Secretary has the power to resolve administrative, jurisdictional, operational, program, or policy conflicts between agencies or officials assigned to them, oversees and directs the formulation of program budgets for their assigned agencies, is responsible for holding their assigned agency heads accountable for their actions, and directs the development of goals, objectives, policies and plans for their assigned agencies.
Mary Fallin
, is as follows:
Government of Oklahoma
The government of the US State of Oklahoma, established by the Oklahoma Constitution, is a republican democracy modeled after the Federal government of the United States. The state government has three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial...
. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of the State government.
Cabinet officers are appointed by the Governor, subject confirmation by the Oklahoma Senate
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
. Once confirmed, all members of the Cabinet receive the title "Secretary" and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Cabinet is responsible for advising the Governor on the operations and policies of the State government.
The current Cabinet is serving under Governor Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
.
History
When Governor of OklahomaGovernor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
David Boren first took office, Oklahoma possessed no form of Cabinet system. Taking the example of other states, Governor Boren began holding semi-official and semi-regular meetings with various heads of state agencies whenever necessary. Under Boren’s successor, George Nigh
George Nigh
George Patterson Nigh , is a popular civic leader in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Nigh served as the 17th and the 22nd Governor of Oklahoma. He was the first Oklahoma Governor to be re-elected and the first to win all 77 counties in the state...
, following the recommendation of the Nigh Commission
Nigh Commission
The Commission on the Reform of Oklahoma State Government, also known as the Nigh Commission, was a committee that in 1984 recommended sweeping changes to the government of the State of Oklahoma to improve efficiency, economy and service...
, Oklahoma adopted an official Cabinet system with the enactment of Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
The Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986 is an Oklahoma state law that requires the Governor of Oklahoma to organize the various departments, agencies, boards, commissions and other entities of the state's executive branch into a cabinet system.The Executive Branch Reform Act was signed into law by...
.
In 2009, the Oklahoma Legislature
Oklahoma Legislature
The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is the biennial meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma. It is bicameral, comprising the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, with all members elected directly by the people. The House of Representatives has 101...
amended the Executive Branch Reform Act to mandate the establishment of the Secretary of Information Technology.
Cabinet Areas
The Executive Branch Reform Act first called for the creating of a Cabinet with no more than fifteen "cabinet areas" with were to consist of the various state agencies, committees, and boards with similar administrative objectives. These cabinet areas would not be agencies of the State and thus could not exercise the executive power of the State. They would only exist to better serve the Governor in crafting policy and information gathering. The original law mandated only one cabinet area: one containing the Department of Veteran Affairs. The law has since been amended to mandate the creation of Information Technology cabinet area. After that, the law allowed the Governor to create the other fourteen cabinet areas at his discretion until the Oklahoma LegislatureOklahoma Legislature
The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is the biennial meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma. It is bicameral, comprising the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, with all members elected directly by the people. The House of Representatives has 101...
formally created the cabinet areas. The heads of these executive cabinet area would be given the title of "Secretary" followed by the name of their cabinet area (or a shortened title thereof).
The Governor, within 45 days of taking office, is allowed to create his own cabinet, with anywhere from no less than 10 but no more than 15 "cabinet areas". The Governor is allowed to create any cabinet area he desires and to place whichever agencies, bureaus, and commissions he wants under those cabinet areas. For example, under Governor Frank Keating
Frank Keating
Francis Anthony "Frank" Keating is an American politician from Oklahoma. Keating served as the 25th Governor of Oklahoma. His first term began in 1995 and ended in 1999...
, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation
Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation
The Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism...
and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. The Department is responsible for the supporting local communities, stimulating growth of the existing businesses, attracting new business, and promoting the...
each belonged to separate cabinet areas, while under Governor Brad Henry
Brad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
the Secretary of Commerce and Tourism was the cabinet secretary for both departments. Alternatively, under Governor Keating, the Secretary of Health and Human Services oversaw the Oklahoma State Department of Health
Oklahoma State Department of Health
The Oklahoma State Department of Health is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Health. The Department is responsible for protecting the health of all Oklahomans and providing other essential human services...
and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is an agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for providing help to individuals and families in need through public assistance programs and managing services for seniors and people with disabilities. The Department is governed by the Commission on...
while Governor Henry split the posts into a separate Secretary of Health to oversee the Health Department and a separate Secretary of Human Services to oversee the Human Services Department.
Regardless of the number of cabinet areas and their functions, at least one must be the Secretary of Veteran Affairs and must be charged with providing for Oklahoma's veterans and one must be the Secretary of Information Technology and must be charged with overseeing state use of information technology and telecommunications.
Following the Oklahoma Supreme Court
Oklahoma Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Oklahoma is one of the two highest judicial bodies in the U.S. state of Oklahoma and leads the Oklahoma Court System, the judicial branch of the government of Oklahoma....
case of Keating v. Edmondson
Keating v. Edmondson
Keating v. Edmondson, 2001 OK 110, 37 P.3d 882 , was an Oklahoma Supreme Court case that ruled that the Governor of Oklahoma could not alter the structure of his Cabinet without the approval of the Legislature. The case was primarily concerned with the Governor–Legislature relation...
in 2001, it was deemed illegal for a Governor to change the cabinet areas and their functions past the 45-day deadline unilaterally. In order to change a cabinet area after the first 45 days in office, the Governor must seek approval from the Oklahoma Legislature
Oklahoma Legislature
The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is the biennial meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma. It is bicameral, comprising the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, with all members elected directly by the people. The House of Representatives has 101...
via legislation.
Appointment
All Cabinet Secretaries are appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Oklahoma SenateOklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
. Potential appointees for Secretary positions may be appointed to serve as members of the Office of the Governor or may be selected from among the agency heads within the Secretary's cabinet area. If the Senate is not in session when the Governor nominates an individual, then the Cabinet Secretary serves on an unconfirmed basis until the next session of the Senate. Each Cabinet Secretary is appointed for a four year term but may be removed at any time by the Governor. The only exception to this rule is Oklahoma Secretary of State, who serves a fixed four year term.
Cabinet Secretary positions are semi-formal an are not legally classified as "officers of the State". As such, Cabinet Secretaries are allowed to hold another office within the State government. An example would be Scott Meacham
Scott Meacham
Scott Meacham was the 17th State Treasurer of Oklahoma, having served from June, 2005 to January, 2011, having been appointed to that post by then-Governor Brad Henry following the resignation of then-State Treasurer Robert Butkin...
, who served as both the Secretary of Finances and Revenue and the State Treasurer of Oklahoma
State Treasurer of Oklahoma
The State Treasurer of Oklahoma is the chief custodian of Oklahoma’s cash deposits, monies from bond sales, and other securities and collateral and directs the investments of those assets. The Treasurer provides for the safe and efficient operation of state government through effective banking,...
under Governor Brad Henry
Brad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
.
Powers and Duties
Regardless of cabinet area, all Cabinet Secretaries are responsible for advising the Governor of any policy changes or problems within their area, advising the entities they represent of any policy changes or problems as directed by the Governor, and for coordinating information gathering as request by the Legislature.Cabinet Secretaries do not possess the power to direct or control any agency they represent outside of their ability to gather information. They have no authority to direct or control any agency within their Cabinet Area except their own direct staff. They also doe not have the authority to hire or fire personnel in their Cabinet Area except those on their own direct staff. The compenent agencies are directed and controlled by their respective department heads. The Cabinet Secretaries may only direct a compenent agency when previously authorization by the Governor through executive order or if a Secretary serves concurrently as the head of that agency.
Each Cabinet Secretary is subject to the direction and control of the Governor. All agencies assigned to each Cabinet Secretary exercise their powers and duties in accordnace with the general policy established by the Cabinet Secretary acting on behalf of the Governor. Each Cabinet Secretary has the power to resolve administrative, jurisdictional, operational, program, or policy conflicts between agencies or officials assigned to them, oversees and directs the formulation of program budgets for their assigned agencies, is responsible for holding their assigned agency heads accountable for their actions, and directs the development of goals, objectives, policies and plans for their assigned agencies.
Current cabinet members
As of February 2011, all fourteen Cabinet Secretary positions are filed. The current Cabinet, serving under Governor of OklahomaGovernor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
, is as follows:
| Office | Incumbent | Other Government Position (if any) |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State | Glenn Coffee Glenn Coffee For the American football player, see Glen CoffeeVirgil Glenn Coffee is an American lawyer and Republican politician from the US state of Oklahoma. Coffee is currently the 30th Oklahoma Secretary of State, having been appointed by Governor Mary Fallin... |
|
| Secretary of Agriculture Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture The Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor... |
Jim Reese Jim Reese Jim Reese is an American farmer, businessman and politician from Oklahoma. Reese was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin as Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, and was sworn in January 10, 2011. He will be Fallin's chief advisor on policy development and implementation related to agriculture, food and... |
Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture |
| Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism The Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor... |
Dave Lopez Dave Lopez Dave Lopez is an American telecommunications executive who is currently the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin. Governor Fallin named Lopez as Secretary on January 27, 2011.-Biography:... |
Director of the Department of Commerce Oklahoma Department of Commerce The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. The Department is responsible for the supporting local communities, stimulating growth of the existing businesses, attracting new business, and promoting the... |
| Secretary of Education Oklahoma Secretary of Education The Oklahoma Secretary of Education is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor... |
Phyllis Hudecki Phyllis Hudecki Phyllis Hudecki is an American educator from Oklahoma. Hudecki was appointed by Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin to serve as her Secretary of Education... |
|
| Secretary of Energy Oklahoma Secretary of Energy The Oklahoma Secretary of Energy is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor... |
Mike Ming Mike Ming Mike Ming is an American energy industry executive who is currently serving as the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy under Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin.-Biography:... |
|
| Secretary of the Environment Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment The Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor... |
Gary Sherrer Gary Sherrer Gary Sherrer is an American Democratic politician from Oklahoma. Sherrer serves as Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment under Republican Governor Mary Fallin... |
|
| Secretary of Finance and Revenue Oklahoma Secretary of Finance and Revenue The Oklahoma Secretary of Finance and Revenue is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor... |
Preston Doerflinger Preston Doerflinger Preston Doerflinger is an American businessman and politician who currently serves as the Oklahoma Secretary of Finance and Revenue. Doerflinger was appointed by Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin on January 19, 2011... |
Director of the Office of State Finance Oklahoma Office of State Finance The Oklahoma Office of State Finance is the Oklahoma state government agency that prepares the Governor of Oklahoma’s annual budget, analyzes the effectiveness of state management, manages the state’s budget system and makes appropriate allotments and transfers throughout the state government... |
| Secretary of Health and Human Services Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services The Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor... |
Terry Cline Terry Cline Dr. Terry L. Cline, Ph. D., is an American psychologist and public health policy specialist from Oklahoma. Cline is currently serving in the dual position of Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services and Commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health... |
Commissioner of the State Department of Health Oklahoma State Department of Health The Oklahoma State Department of Health is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Health. The Department is responsible for protecting the health of all Oklahomans and providing other essential human services... |
| Secretary of Human Resources and Administration Oklahoma Secretary of Human Resources and Administration The Oklahoma Secretary of Human Resources and Administration is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor... |
Oscar B. Jackson Jr. Oscar B. Jackson Jr. Oscar B. Jackson Jr. is an American civil servant from the state of Oklahoma. Jackson is the current Oklahoma Secretary of Human Resources and Administration, having served in that position since he was appointed by Governor of Oklahoma David Walters in 1991... |
Administrator of the Office of Personnel Management Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management The Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management is an agency of the state of Oklahoma that manages the civil service of the state government. OPM provides comprehensive human resource services to all state agencies and employees , as well as information for individuals interested in state service... |
| Secretary of the Military Adjutant General of Oklahoma The Adjutant General of Oklahoma is the highest ranking military official in the state of Oklahoma, subordinate only to the Governor of Oklahoma... |
Maj. Gen. Myles Deering Myles Deering Myles L. Deering is an Army National Guard major general who currently serves as the Adjutant General of Oklahoma. General Deering was appointed by Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry in 2009 following the promotion of Harry M. Wyatt III to the position of Director, Air National Guard... |
Adjutant General of Oklahoma Adjutant General of Oklahoma The Adjutant General of Oklahoma is the highest ranking military official in the state of Oklahoma, subordinate only to the Governor of Oklahoma... |
| Secretary of Safety and Security Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security The Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on public safety and... |
Michael C. Thompson | Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety Oklahoma Department of Public Safety The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety is a department of the government of Oklahoma. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security, DPS provides for the safety of Oklahomans and the administration of justice in the state... |
| Secretary of Science and Technology Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology The Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor... |
Stephen W. S. McKeever | |
| Secretary of Transportation Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation The Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor... |
Gary Ridley Gary Ridley (transport director) Gary Ridley, PE, is an American engineer from the state of Oklahoma who is the current Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation, having served since he was appointed by Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry in 2009... |
Director of the Transportation Department Oklahoma Department of Transportation The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is an agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for the construction, maintenance, and regulation the use of the state's transportation infrastructure... and Director of the Turnpike Authority |
| Secretary of Veterans Affairs Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs The Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor... |
Rita Aragon Rita Aragon LaRita A. "Rita" Aragon is a retired United States Air National Guard two-star general who is currently serving as the 4th Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Her final active military post was as the Air National Guard assistant to the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Manpower and Personnel... |
Historic composition
See also
- Government of OklahomaGovernment of OklahomaThe government of the US State of Oklahoma, established by the Oklahoma Constitution, is a republican democracy modeled after the Federal government of the United States. The state government has three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial...
- United States CabinetUnited States CabinetThe Cabinet of the United States is composed of the most senior appointed officers of the executive branch of the federal government of the United States, which are generally the heads of the federal executive departments...
- List of Oklahoma state agencies