Representative Andy Fugate

D

District 94

Hi, I’m Andy Fugate and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 94th District.


representative

Leadership

Minority Floor Leader

58th Legislature

Minority Floor Leader

59th Legislature

Minority Floor Leader

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Mar 6, 2025

House Democratic members comment on bill redundancy, need to rein in State Superintendent

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democratic members Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, and Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statements addressing HB 1621’s passage out of the Government Oversight Committee today. “This bill creates a new law and grows government in an unnecessary way,” Leader Munson said. “It does nothing to hold the State Superintendent accountable and instead takes the advice of an out-of-state advocacy group instead of considering the real needs of Oklahomans. This bill is more about creating political leverage than improving public education in Oklahoma. The State Superintendent does not follow the current transparency process and if we actually listened to Oklahomans, especially those in public education, we would be working to hold him accountable to the current processes we have.” Fugate reiterated that the Oklahoma State Department of Education already has a transparency process. “This bill is not necessary. Oklahoma has had a comprehensive transparency portal for all state government activities, including OSDE, since the Governor launched it in 2019. The portal is here:  https://oklahomastate.opengov.com/ .” Fugate said.  “I understand members are justifiably outraged by the State Superintendent’s lack of interest in following procedures. Giving him another thing to ignore won’t fix that problem. It is naive to assume OSDE would abide by this bill. What we really need is to rein in the State Superintendent.” Bennett says the best way to get the accountability this bill is seeking is to correct the mismanagement of the State Superintendent. “We are not lacking in tools of transparency,” Bennett said. “The real issue is mismanagement by the State Superintendent. My no vote wasn’t in opposition to transparency, it’s about the fact that my colleagues are ignoring the real issue: Oklahomans want to see this Superintendent held accountable.” -END-

Feb 21, 2025

Fugate files lawsuit addressing Governor’s work-from-home Executive Order

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, held a press conference announcing a lawsuit he is filing in opposition to the Governor and Executive Order 2024-29. “I have grown increasingly concerned at the scope and breadth of the Governor’s executive orders and the ways they supersede legislative authority,” Fugate said. “It is not his job to make laws. That is the job of the legislature. “On December 18, Governor Stitt issued an order requiring state agency directors to ensure all full-time state employees return to their offices or field locations by February 1, 2025. This morning, with the help of my Attorney Richard Labarthe, we took legal action against this order because it violates the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. “The governor doesn't have the authority to issue this order. State employees work for the people of Oklahoma, not the governor. Creating new employment conditions and authorizing money for facilities and office equipment is the legislature's job, not the governor's. His order has also caused chaos for state employees, many of whom rely on remote work. “The value of remote work to employees means they can choose rural Oklahoma life without wasting gas and sacrificing time with their families. It gives employees more time to be present with their families and active in their communities. It means better, safer working conditions for employees with fragile health. Says Fugate, “The Governor’s Executive Branch overreach threatens the very constitutional foundations of separation of powers.” Fugate was also joined in the press conference by his lawyer Richard Labarthe. “We are happy to represent Rep. Fugate in this effort to determine that Gov. Stitt’s executive order compelling all state employees to work in person was an impermissible trespass upon the lawmaking power that, by our State Constitution, resides exclusively with the legislature,” said Labarthe. “It is an important, and apparently necessary, action to preserve the separation of powers established by our state’s founding document. And further, it allows for transparency and public discourse of an important public policy issue, through the legislative process, as opposed to a sudden, unilateral decree by the State’s Chief Executive.”  The press conference was livestreamed and can be found  here. -END-

Mar 14, 2024
Recent Posts

Ballot Proposal Would Allow Former Teachers to Reenter Classroom After Leaving Legislature

Oklahomans could soon see a ballot question that, if approved, would allow former teachers to return to the classroom after leaving political office. Currently, the Oklahoma Constitution prohibits a former legislator from holding a state-paid job for two years after leaving public office. House Joint Resolution 1002, authored by Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater, would amend the Oklahoma Constitution to exempt legislators who are returning to teach. "While this provision in the Oklahoma Constitution is well-intentioned to prevent government corruption, it also means that former teachers who served in the Legislature have to sit by for two years before they can teach again, even though Oklahoma is facing a teacher shortage," Talley said. "There's unique perspectives and experiences that come with serving as a legislator that these teachers could share with students who are our future leaders. I'm glad for the broad support of this bill and I hope to see this passed quickly so Oklahomans can make their opinion known." HJR1002 passed the House 72-11 and is authored in the Senate by Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City. If passed by the Senate, it would be sent to the Secretary of State to be placed on a statewide ballot.