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OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, was named as one of the Most Powerful Women in an independent poll by OKC Friday. According to OKC Friday, nominees are chosen based on compassion and a determination to better the lives of everyone around them and earn the respect and the admiration of their peers. “It’s an honor to share this recognition with several compassionate, smart, and influential women,” said Leader Munson. “I deeply appreciate my constituents and fellow Oklahomans who support my work to solve problems for everyday Oklahomans. May this incredible group of women continue to use their position to advocate for other women and improve the lives of all Oklahomans.” OKC Friday publishes weekly, serving Nichols Hills, The Village and northwest Oklahoma City. -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ronald Stewart, D-Tulsa, issued the following statement today in response to the Federal Government’s decision to remove missing and murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP) information and resources from federal agency websites, with no commitment to restore them.  The administration further claims that the Office of Missing & Murdered Indigenous People constitutes a “DEI initiative,” implying it is unnecessary and nonessential. “I am deeply and unequivocally disappointed,” said Stewart. “Removing MMIP resources is not just an administrative choice—it is a direct assault on the safety, dignity, and visibility of Indigenous people. It is an erasure of lives already lost, families seeking justice, and communities which aren’t just looking for answers, they’re demanding them. And it is a gross disservice to dismiss the MMIP office as a ‘DEI initiative’ when the facts, the data, and the lived experiences of Indigenous families prove otherwise.” Stewart says MMIP is not a DEI initiative. “The Office of Missing & Murdered Indigenous People was created to address a documented public-safety crisis, not to serve as any form of ideological or diversity-based programming,” said Stewart. “The Trump Administration’s claim is not only inaccurate—it is dangerously disingenuous.” Stewart lists the following facts to support his statement:  MMIP Addresses a Law-Enforcement and Jurisdictional Crisis Indigenous people—especially Indigenous women and girls—are murdered or go missing at rates 4 to 10 times higher than the national average. The crisis stems from gaps in federal, state, tribal, and local law-enforcement coordination, not from demographic or workplace diversity concerns. The office was formed to streamline information sharing, strengthen investigations, and correct longstanding failures in federal response—not to function as an equity program. Congress Directed MMIP Action Through Bipartisan Legislation Savanna’s Act (2020) and the Not Invisible Act (2020) passed with broad bipartisan support. These laws require federal agencies to improve data collection, investigative protocols, and coordination regarding MMIP cases. Compliance with federal law is not optional and has nothing to do with DEI frameworks. The MMIP Office Responds to Victims and Families, Not “Diversity” Agendas MMIP exists because thousands of families have been denied justice for decades. The office provides trauma-informed victim services, case tracking, and investigative support. Nothing in its mission relates to hiring metrics, workplace diversity, or social programming of any kind. Tribal Nations Requested and Demanded MMIP Support Tribal governments across the United States have requested federal partnership and accountability on MMIP for years. Responding to sovereign Tribal Nations is a legal obligation of the federal government—not a DEI preference. ”I genuinely appreciate our state’s bipartisan commitment to addressing MMIP,” said Stewart. “The work accomplished in both the House and Senate reflects a shared dedication to ensuring a safer Oklahoma for all. However, let me be clear: I do not agree with the decision of the federal government. MMIP is not DEI. MMIP is DOJ. It is public safety. It is justice. It is, in far too many cases, life and death. Removing MMIP resources from federal websites sends one message: that Indigenous lives are expendable. That message is unacceptable, and it is beneath the dignity of this nation. This crisis predates any modern political talking points—it reaches back generations, and it continues today. Families deserve answers. Cases deserve attention. And Indigenous communities deserve the full weight of federal responsibility.” -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma heard oral arguments for PR-123179 McVay v. Cockroft to determine the constitutionality of SB 1027. The legislation imposes several new restrictions on Oklahoma’s initiative petition process including restrictions on the number of signatures collected within a county and who can collect signatures.  SB 1027 also requires the Oklahoma Secretary of State to approve each initiative petition gist. Because the Secretary of State is a Governor appointed position, this measure impedes the intentions of the original initiative petition process to allow Oklahomans to make policy decisions independent of the legislature and the Governor. Oklahoma House Democrats say this legislation places unnecessary restrictions on the initiative petition process, in turn, silencing Oklahoma voters.  “The entire purpose of the initiative petition process is so that Oklahomans can propose changes to policy when the legislature does not,” said Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. “SB 1027 takes away Oklahomans’ right to fairly create meaningful change when those in power are unwilling. House Democrats have been against this legislation since day one because we recognize the way it infringes on Oklahomans and their constitutional right to petition the government.” Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, attended the oral arguments at the Oklahoma Supreme Court.  “Article 2, Section 1 of the Oklahoma Constitution is crystal clear: all political power is inherent in the people,” said Fugate. “Not the legislature, not the Governor, not the courts, but the people. SB 1027 is a direct assault on that principle. It strips Oklahomans of their constitutional right to bypass politicians and propose their own changes to our laws and our constitution.  “The legislature has no business deciding when or how to take power away from the people. When SB 1027 was debated, I offered an amendment to let the people decide its fate. The majority voted it down. Even that small measure of respect for the people’s voice was too much for them in their rush to strip away the power of the people.  “Today’s oral arguments before the Oklahoma Supreme Court affirmed exactly what Oklahoma Democrats warned about in the House: SB 1027 is unconstitutional and undemocratic. While the Court’s decision is still ahead, one thing is certain: Oklahoma House Democrats stood up to defend the rights of Oklahomans and to ensure that the people's voice is not silenced.” -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah, today announced his intent to refile a bill that creates punishments for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep-fake technology without consent of the person whose name, image, likeness or voice is used to create digital content and advertising that is disseminated to the public with the intent to harm. Hays filed House Bill 3073 in 2024. The bill passed the House but was not advanced in the state Senate. Hays will refile the measure with some minor changes for the upcoming legislative session, which starts Feb. 2. “As we awaken each day to more sophisticated AI-generated media, we must recommit to the fundamental truth in advertising and the basic rights of every Oklahoman,” Hays said. “Every Oklahoman deserves to control their name, image, likeness and voice — and to know that when they are depicted, especially in an effort to influence the public, that they’re portrayed accurately.” Hays said AI now allows realistic substitutions of a person’s face, voice or image in video, audio and digital advertisements — often without the person’s permission and sometimes with harmful intent.  HB 3073 sought to criminalize publishing or distributing digitized representations of another individual’s name, image, voice or likeness without written consent and with intent to harm. The measure set criminal penalties, including elevation to a felony on a second offense.  Hays emphasized the marketplace and public discourse depend on trust. “If we erode trust because people are unsure whether what they see or hear is real, then we erode the very foundation of free and fair communication,” he said. "Technology isn’t slowing down, and legislation must keep pace,” Hays said. “By refiling this bill, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting Oklahomans’ rights in this new digital era. I'm asking my legislative colleagues to join me and return to the basics of integrity, transparency and individual consent.”

LAWTON, OK — House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and members of the Oklahoma House Republican Caucus visited Lawton this past weekend for the fifth stop of the ongoing Capitol to Community tour, an initiative designed to connect state lawmakers directly with community leaders, businesses and local organizations. This stop was especially meaningful as it also served as the kickoff to the Caucus’ annual retreat weekend, which continued at Quartz Mountain Lodge in Altus.   The day in Lawton featured tours highlighting the region’s military partnerships, economic development, correctional operations and manufacturing leadership. Members began the morning at FISTA Innovation Park, where local officials and defense-sector partners detailed Lawton’s growing role in military technology development and private-sector collaboration.   Legislators then toured the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company facility, one of Oklahoma’s major manufacturing hubs, where they met with plant leadership to discuss workforce needs and the company’s long-term investment in southwest Oklahoma.   In the afternoon, members visited the Red Rock Correctional Center, gaining insight into facility operations, and to better understand the role of the role of private contractors in meeting the state’s correctional system needs.   The day concluded with lawmakers traveling to Quartz Mountain Lodge, where the annual House Republican Caucus retreat officially kicked off. The weekend concluded with an overnight stay in the heart of southwest Oklahoma, Medicine Park.     “Lawton showed us the incredible impact that strong partnerships between industry and innovation can have on a region," said Speaker Hilbert. "This stop offered valuable insight into a major public safety hub of our state as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session.”   House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, who represents parts of the Lawton area, said the visit showcased the strengths and potential of southwest Oklahoma.   “Lawton is a powerhouse for our state, whether it’s defense innovation at FISTA, world-class manufacturing at Goodyear or the critical work happening at Red Rock,” said Caldwell. “I was proud to welcome my colleagues to our community and show them firsthand the economic drivers and challenges that shape southwest Oklahoma. This kind of engagement helps ensure that decisions at the Capitol reflect the real needs of the great people of Comanche County.”   The Capitol to Community tour will conclude in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on December 18th.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, and Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, presented a citation this week to students in Southern Nazarene University’s international management class in recognition of their recent food drive benefiting local families facing food insecurity.  Students in the class collected more than 1,000 nonperishable food items this semester as part of a service-learning project that connected course lessons to community need.  The idea began after the class learned about a local family struggling with food insecurity due to the loss of their SNAP benefits. What started as a simple donation drive quickly grew into a campuswide effort to meet a real and urgent need.  "The students’ compassion and commitment to serving others is truly inspiring," Stark said. "They saw a need close to home and stepped up in a meaningful way. I was honored to present this citation alongside Rep. West and to recognize the work these students put into helping families in our community."  "The strength of our state lies in the strength of our communities," West said. "The loss of SNAP benefits this month has unfortunately hit many Oklahoma families hard, but our state has rallied together to support our neighbors. These students heard about a need and took it upon themselves to answer the call. I am proud of how their kindness and initiative has made a difference in these families' lives."  The citation was presented during class on campus earlier this week.

Reps. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, and Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, who lead the Oklahoma House Appropriations & Budget Human Services Subcommittee, released the following statements after Congress passed a bipartisan agreement late Wednesday to reopen the federal government and restore funding to critical programs: "We’re relieved to see the federal government reopened and critical services fully restored," Pae said. "Throughout the shutdown, we have closely monitored its impact on SNAP recipients and local food providers across Oklahoma. This agreement allows us to move forward with implementing the SNAP provisions of H.R. 1, which eases access for families in need."  Gise added, "The shutdown was a gut punch for working families, and Oklahomans deserve better than D.C. drama that gambles with their groceries. Now it’s time to restore trust, improve SNAP accountability and keep families fed instead of forgotten."  House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said, "The end of this shutdown is long overdue. Oklahomans shouldn’t have to bear the cost of Washington gridlock caused by Democrats’ refusal to advance responsible funding bills. Now, the focus must return to governance that keeps our economy strong, holds programs accountable and puts working families first." The lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to working with state and federal partners to ensure a smooth rollout of the SNAP updates under H.R. 1 and to maintain consistent communication with state agencies and recipients moving forward.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement after the Governor followed recommendations from the Pardon and Parole Board to grant Tremane Wood clemency. “I am deeply grateful to Governor Stitt for taking the recommendation of the Pardon and Parole Board to grant clemency to Tremane Wood. It is unfortunate that his family were left to wait until the last minute in fear of losing him. It is a reminder of the cruelty that surrounds these death penalty cases and the need for serious criminal justice reform in Oklahoma. Oklahoma must do better at ensuring a fair and just trial for all to prevent the unnecessary and horrifying experience of awaiting one’s own death. I am relieved for Tremane Wood and his family, friends, and loved ones. They deserved this outcome a long time ago. Thank you to every Oklahoman who reached out to the Governor’s office. While it should not be this way, your advocacy worked. Oklahomans have the power to create the change we desperately need.” -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today praised the clemency granted death-row inmate Tremane Wood. "I support the governor's decision," Humphrey said. "The Oklahoma public needs to know that this pardon is based on judicial corruption. I will continue fighting to make sure all corruption in our legal and judicial system and in our state agencies and government is kept before the public until it is rooted out. Justice was secured for Mr. Wood today and for his family and even for the victim's family in this crime, but we must not give up our efforts to secure justice for all." Humphrey is the vice chair of the Oklahoma House of Representative's Public Safety Committee. He's been a vocal supporter of granting clemency to Wood.