Oklahoma State Senator David Myers Dies

Oklahoma Senate officials say state Sen. David Myers, the chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, has died. Myers was 73.

Senate spokeswoman Malia Bennett says Myers died early Friday morning following a stay in the hospital this week. Myers had been battling pneumonia.

A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Myers was a retired chemical engineer and an energy industry consultant who had worked for ConocoPhillips in Ponca City.

A Republican, Myers was first elected in 2002. He did not draw a general election opponent in 2010 and was in his final term.

Myers served as chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and was a key player in budget negotiations between the House and the governor's office.

Governor Mary Fallin released this statement:

"Senator Myers was a principled public servant and, as appropriations chairman, a dedicated guardian of taxpayer dollars and resources. His passing is a tremendous loss to the Oklahoma Senate, his constituents and the entire state. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. I'm asking all Oklahomans to join me in keeping his wife Sara and the rest of his family in our thoughts and prayers."