Representative Ellyn Hefner

D

District 87

Hi, I’m Ellyn Hefner and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 87th District.

representative

News & Announcements

Mar 28, 2025

House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson celebrates passage of Caucus priorities helping all Oklahomans

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, gave an update on House Democratic priorities as the First Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature reaches its halfway point. “I am pleased to announce House Democrats passed 30 bills off the House Floor that are now eligible to be heard in the Senate,” Leader Munson said. “All of these bills were in line with our priorities of lowering costs for working families, supporting public education, creating better access to healthcare and childcare, and protecting the most vulnerable Oklahomans. I am proud of every Member of the House Democratic Caucus for standing up for the rights of all Oklahomans and devoting their time and energy to working on policies we know will help the State of Oklahoma.” Bills passed off the House Floor by House Democrats include but are not limited to: HB 1848, Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, HD-70 An Employer tax credit for sharing in childcare costs to strengthen our workforce infrastructure. HB 1111, Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, HD-88 Creates an elderly simplified application project for SNAP for 60+ or individuals with a disability. HB 1852, Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, HD-70 Protects consumers to ensure understanding of annual subscription commitments and requires reminder prior to renewal. HB 1982, Rep. Trish Ranson, HD-34 Requires textbook vendors have electronic materials available at time of sale. HB 1493, Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, HD-46 Requires at least 30 minutes of daily recess for all-day Pre-K through 5th grade, leaving scheduling to local school boards. HB 1955, Rep. John Waldron, HD-77 Improves the National Board Certification process for Oklahoma teachers. HB 1849, Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, HD-70 For recruitment and retention of early childcare teachers offering no cost childcare incentive. HB 1834, Rep. Ellyn Hefner, HD-87 creates the Disaster Savings Account Act for a savings account designed to help individuals and families prepare for and recover from natural disasters, such as storms, floods, wildfires, and other severe weather events. HB 1831, Rep. Ellyn Hefner, HD-87 Creates the Oklahoma Community Health Workers Act: the legislative foundation to recognize Community Health Workers as an essential part of the healthcare system. HB 1389, Rep. Melissa Provenzano, HD-79 Covers diagnostic and supplemental mammograms with no cost-sharing. HB 1853, Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, HD-70 Expands deductibles to include cash payments for out-of-pocket medical services. HB 1137, Rep. Ron Stewart, HD-73 Allows state funding for the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons. HB 2235, Leader Cyndi Munson, HD-85 Updates compensation for those who are wrongfully convicted.   “While I am happy with the work we were able to accomplish, there is still so much more to do,” Leader Munson said. “Members of the House Democratic Caucus filed over 200 pieces of legislation that would raise the minimum wage, modernize and expand the sales tax relief credit, raise teacher and support staff pay, expand Oklahoma’s Promise, and ensure every child in our state has access to nutritious meals at schools. Unfortunately, these bills were not given a hearing by legislative Republican leaders. Moving bills through the legislative process is not an easy task, but Members of our Caucus continue—and will continue—to put in the hard work it takes to ensure everyday Oklahomans have the best chance of prosperity and success. We will never give up working to fight for all Oklahomans all across our state—we are committed to improving the lives of everyone.” -END-

Feb 20, 2025

House Democrats protect local control, defend Oklahomans’ property rights

OKLAHOMA CITY – This week, Oklahoma House Democrats voted on and debated against two bills that impact Oklahomans’ property rights and local control. Both bills increase regulations, suppress local control, and foster a confusing business environment for the energy industry by creating new setback requirements and disempowering local elected officials to make the best decisions for their communities. The first bill,  HB 1989 , was heard in Energy Committee on Feb. 19 where it failed. The second bill,  HB 2751 , was heard in Utilities Committee on Feb. 20 where it passed. Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, debated against HB 2751 in Utilities Committee, claiming both bills infringed on Oklahomans’ property rights and local control within counties. “House Democrats stood up for Oklahomans’ private property rights and local control,” Leader Munson said. “By voting against both bills, we upheld these two values that are shared across our state, regardless of where we live. We want to remain a leader in the energy industry, and in order to do that, we can’t change the rules of engagement because of tired rhetoric. In order to keep costs low, we need to ensure competition and keep our word to the industries we are doing business with today. By prioritizing an all of the above energy approach, with our abundance of energy sources, we will lower costs, create jobs, and bring more resources to communities across our state.” Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, debated against HB 1989 in Energy Committee. “This bill distorts free markets, reduces local control, adds governmental burdens and restricts property rights–but only for one industry,” Waldron said. “It will raise rates in my district and reduce investment in rural districts. And they claim to be a party of free enterprise.” Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, is a member of the Energy Committee and voted against HB 1989. "This legislation severely limits landowners' ability to use their own property in ways that can support their families,” Hefner said. “Private property rights and the ability to manage their own land are important to all Oklahomans." Democratic Caucus Secretary Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City also debated against HB 2751 in Utilities Committee. “This bill weakens our state’s ability to use all our resources to maintain leadership in both energy and clean energy,” Alonso-Sandoval said. “It hurts Oklahoma families by preventing them from accessing wind energy benefits: new jobs for our communities, increased local tax revenue, and an important additional source of income that helps landowners support their families.” -END-

Dec 6, 2024
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Hefner, Swope in Center for Advancement of Leadership Skills Class of 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, were both part of the Center for Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS) Class of 2024. CALS is a leadership advancement program that brings together Southern state officials from all branches of government in a non-partisan environment to hone leadership skills in order to better serve the public. Hefner, House District 87, has served on the Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) advisory committee, which provides input on DDS policy proposed by the Department of Human Services. Most of her advocacy is held in the disability realm, where she served as an ambassador for ABLE accounts with the State Treasurer's office. "The CALS program provided a unique opportunity to build relationships with legislators from Southern states while learning to lead with confidence, advocate for my community, and strengthen bipartisan partnerships,” said Hefner. “It has truly deepened my commitment to fostering growth and improving outcomes for Oklahomans." Swope, House District 71, has served on multiple diversity, equity, and inclusion committees, and police advisory councils as well as volunteering with organizations like the Community Service Council, Junior League of Tulsa, Tulsa Young Professionals, Junior Achievement, Little Blue House, the Terence Crutcher Foundation, Tulsa Spotlight Theatre, and Tulsa Historical Society & Museum. “CALS was a great opportunity to interact with legislators from other states and to learn practical skills to perfect our roles as leaders,” said Swope. “It provided strategies to improve qualities like communication, collaboration, and decisiveness that are essential to the work we do in the legislature.” -END-