Representative Melissa Provenzano

D

District 79

Hi, I’m Melissa Provenzano and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 79th District.


representative

Leadership

Assistant Minority Leader

59th Legislature

Assistant Minority Leader

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Mar 31, 2025

House, Senate Democrats file resolutions on OSDE social studies standards

OKLAHOMA CITY – Leaders of the House and Senate Democratic Caucuses issued the following statements on Monday after filing two measures, House Joint Resolution 1030 and Senate Joint Resolution 19, disapproving the new social studies standards approved and submitted by the State Board of Education. “Since 2023, House Democrats have made six different calls to reign in the State Superintendent, and we have yet to see any real accountability from the State Superintendent or OSDE. While I am encouraged by the new Stitt-appointed OSDE board members to hold the superintendent and department accountable, these new standards are concerning when thinking about the future of public education in Oklahoma. They are not available for public comment and any input from the legislature and education experts has been ignored. By prioritizing the injection of politics and religion into our public school classrooms, the State Superintendent continues to be emboldened to put his political agenda over the needs of our teachers, students, and families." – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City “Oklahoma teachers feel uncertain about the future because the department designed to work with them has left them behind, and efforts to hold the department accountable by the new board members have not been heard. I disapprove these social studies standards because they disregard the interests, advice, and needs of public schools in Oklahoma. The best approach here is to reject the standards and send them back for further review from the State School Board. OSDE needs to heed the advice of experts, not political groups. Our students deserve correct, objective course material to fully prepare and equip them for the future. Oklahomans need a department of education dedicated to doing right by them.” – Assistant House Democratic Leader Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa. “Every child deserves a great education, and that means we must be focused on one thing – getting teachers and schools the resources they need to educate every child. Superintendent Ryan Walters is putting politics over kids, and that undermines the quality education our children should get. The Legislature has the power to reject the social studies standards, but we have a short timeline to do that. This is about putting people over politics.” – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City.  "Oklahoma has a clear, time-tested process for updating academic standards – one that relies on educators and parents to ensure students receive a high-quality education. Instead of respecting that process, the state superintendent has disregarded their work, bringing in national partisan groups to rewrite our social studies standards. This political interference undermines the integrity of our education system and silences the voices of those who know our students best. We must reject this proposal and stand by the educators and families who have long shaped our state’s curriculum." – Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City.  -END-

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 14, 2025

Provenzano Honored as 2025 Woman of Inspiration at Susan G. Komen Pink Stiletto Gala

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, was honored as the 2025 Woman of Inspiration at the Susan G. Komen Pink Stiletto Gala on Saturday for her work promoting breast cancer awareness and her legislation helping breast cancer patients. In her acceptance speech, Provenzano said: “Two years ago when we passed legislation requiring insurance companies to fully cover diagnostic ?mammograms with no cost-sharing, it was because a woman in this room tonight reached out to me to tell me about her ?financial barriers to care for those diagnosed with breast cancer.?  “In that time, a lot has happened. I've had women come up and thank me for the law, because ?otherwise they would have had to go without necessities in order to pay for that test.? Others continue to struggle because of lack of information or lack of coverage for the right kind of equipment.”  Two years ago, Oklahoma became the 10th state in the nation to require coverage for diagnostic mammograms with no out of pocket expense. Today, it is now law in 27 states with eight more introducing legislation this year. “1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. This hit home this past December when I was diagnosed. I’m lucky–we caught it very early and treatment has been very successful thus far, largely because of my mother and her diligence in asking ‘have you scheduled your mammogram?’ It's been a journey, but I'm just getting started. I will continue my advocacy at the state capitol and ?here at home in Tulsa. I hope you will join me. “This year, we're working to update that law to capture more types of diagnostic supplemental tests, increasing access. This means the ?decision on how to proceed is left in the hands of the patient and their doctor.” Last week, Provenzano passed HB 1389 out of the House Public Health Committee. The bill updates existing diagnostic mammography laws to ensure supplemental breast cancer services are covered under health benefit plans.? It now heads to the House Health and Human Services Oversight Committee. -END-