Committees

OKLAHOMA CITY – The most recent issue of OKC Friday named Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, as one of the Most Powerful Oklahomans of 2025. “I am honored to share this recognition with so many incredible and influential leaders in Oklahoma,” Munson said. “I’m thankful to my constituents and Oklahomans who believe in the work that I do in the Oklahoma Legislature. May we continue to use our power and influence to make Oklahoma a better place for all Oklahomans.” OKC Friday publishes weekly, serving Nichols Hills, The Village and northwest Oklahoma City. -END-

OHOMAHOMA CITY — Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, has been chosen as the Republican Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) for her work advocating for children and families. This recognition reflects Gise’s commitment to policies that support Oklahoma’s children through thoughtful, effective leadership grounded in conservative principles. "I believe children are our future, and they deserve leaders who put their well-being first," Gise said. "This award is not just about me; it’s about the shared responsibility we have to strengthen families and ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed." Among her legislative achievements, Gise authored House Bill 1600 , the Patients’ Bill of Rights. The bill establishes a clear standard of care and outlines fundamental patient rights, promoting transparency across the healthcare system, including in pediatric care, while reinforcing the role of parents in informed, family-centered medical decision-making. This bill will go into effect Nov. 1. She also sponsored House Bill 1601 , known as Archer’s Act, which allows teachers to use accrued sick leave to extend maternity leave to 12 weeks. Gise created this bill to support early childhood development, strong family bonds, and maternal health without creating new taxpayer-funded programs. This bill was approved by the governor and will go into effect Nov. 1. Beyond legislation, Gise has worked closely with the Office of Juvenile Affairs, the Department of Human Services and the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth to improve outcomes for at-risk youth across Oklahoma. "This recognition highlights the importance of practical, accountable policies that prioritize children’s long-term well-being," Gise said. "We must continue working together to build stronger families and communities in Oklahoma because investing in our children today will only push our state toward lasting strength and success." Gise also serves as vice chair of the Human Services Appropriations and Budget Committee for Oklahoma's 60th Legislature, where she plays an important role in overseeing state resources that impact health and human services programs, especially those that impact children and families across the state.

Reps. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, and Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, applauded the recent executive order from Gov. Kevin Stitt launching the "Make Oklahoma Healthy Again" (MOHA) initiative. The push aligns with President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s national “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, which emphasizes cutting artificial additives in food, addressing environmental toxins and reducing chronic disease through cleaner living.  The order includes a comprehensive review regarding the use of artificial food coloring, including Red Dye 40, and the creation of the MOHA Initiative and the MOHA Advisory Council within the Oklahoma State Department of Health, among other initiatives.   In addition to the order, the governor announced he had directed the Department of Human Services (DHS) to request a waiver from the federal government to exclude candy and soft drinks from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Hill filed legislation to provide the same directive to DHS earlier this year.   "This is the kind of big-picture thinking Oklahoma needs," Hill said. "We are finally taking the blinders off and looking at what contributes to poor public health outcomes across the board. Health starts with what we put in our bodies, not just how we treat them after we get sick. We've tackled the symptoms for years, but now is the time to address the root causes. By excluding candy and soft drinks from SNAP benefits, we can properly allocate taxpayer funds to healthy foods that improve the health of Oklahomans. With Governor Stitt's willingness to lead on this issue and support from Secretary Kennedy, we now have the momentum to become the national leader in clean living and modern health policy."  West has coauthored legislation that would address the overabundance of certain chemicals, dyes and substances in food products. She also requested an interim study this year to examine how synthetic food additives affect public health and impact the state's workforce productivity.  "The health and well-being of Oklahomans are the foundation of our state’s strength and prosperity," West said. "Unfortunately, the long-term effects of chemicals, dyes and additives in our food and water supplies are too often ignored in public health discussions. Safe food and clean water shouldn't be political; they should be a priority. I thank Governor Stitt and Secretary Kennedy for opening the door to review these outdated practices and get upstream of our poor health outcomes before it's too late. I look forward to supporting policies that reflect our shared commitment to Oklahoma's well-being."   The initiative will not require any additional taxpayer funds and will instead utilize existing state resources, philanthropic partnerships, federal grants and support from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust.