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OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, and Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, issued condolences after the passing of former Oklahoma HD 88 Representative Debbie Blackburn. “Rep. Blackburn was a strong leader whose passion for Oklahoma helped inspire my decision to run for office,” said Leader Munson. “Her work inside and outside of the legislature was always focused on helping people achieve the life they deserved, whether it be through affordable housing or access to higher education. She remained dedicated to Oklahoma her entire life and her legacy here will forever live on. My thoughts and prayers are with her husband Dr. Bob Blackburn and her children Beau and Tori, as well as her siblings and grandchildren as they cope with this incredible loss.” Pogemiller currently serves as the representative for HD 88.  “I first met Rep. Debbie Blackburn when I was knocking doors in my district, but her impact on House District 88 has always been felt,” Pogemiller said. “Her passion for her district and for Oklahomans was unparalleled and I am forever grateful for her service and legacy in HD 88. My heart goes out to her friends and family during this time. House District 88 will always acknowledge and feel the impact of her service.” Blancett lauded Blackburn's years of dedicated public service. “Rep. Debbie Blackburn was a deeply committed Oklahoman who worked to better our state particularly in increasing quality, affordable home ownership, which is a key component to ending generational poverty,” Blancett said. “Not only was she kind and encouraging to others, but she was an absolute firecracker with a fierce drive to make life better. She was the epitome of the term Servant Leader.” Menz reflected on the time she first met Rep. Debbie Blackburn. “I first met Rep. Blackburn when I was just a freshman in high school,” Menz said. “I remember above all how kind and encouraging she was to me when we spoke. She took time out of her day to visit with me for several minutes and even told me I should think about running for State House one day. It was rare for a person in power to speak to me like I was their equal, and it forever stuck with me. I am deeply grateful to have met her. I send my condolences to her husband, family, and friends, and everyone who got the honor of knowing her and feeling the impact of her kindness.” The obituary for Rep. Debbie Blackburn states in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bob Blackburn Collections Endowment Fund for the Oklahoma Historical Society at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY - Rep. Mark Chapman, R-Broken Arrow, has been appointed by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, to the Oklahoma Ireland Trade Commission. The commission is tasked with advancing business ties and other mutually beneficial activities between Oklahoma and Ireland. “It’s an honor to help strengthen the bridge between Oklahoma and Ireland,” Chapman said. “When we open doors for our businesses abroad, we create new opportunities here at home. I appreciate Speaker Hilbert’s trust in me and look forward to contributing to this important work.” Chapman’s appointment is effective immediately.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, and Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston, were selected to join the 2025 class of the Milbank Fellows Program, a national initiative that supports state leaders working to improve health outcomes across the country. The representatives are among just 24 policymakers nationwide chosen for the yearlong fellowship. Both lawmakers serve on House health committees, with Roe as the chair of the Public Health Committee and Cantrell as the vice chair of the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee. Roe brings more than 40 years of experience as a nurse and nurse practitioner, while Cantrell is a former county commissioner with a strong interest in rural health issues. "I'm honored to share that I have been selected to join the 2025 class of the Milbank Fellows Program, a national initiative that brings together leaders from across the country to focus on improving health policy and outcomes," Roe said. "The knowledge and connections I will gain through this fellowship will help inform our efforts to address health disparities, improve access to care and support healthier outcomes for all Oklahomans." "I’m honored to represent Oklahoma and our values as we work through this program to strengthen health and human services across our state," Cantrell said. The Milbank Fellows Program is designed for state leaders in both legislative and executive branches. Fellows receive intensive leadership training, access to national experts and participate in in-depth discussions on population health, evidence-based policy and integrated service systems. The program includes three in-person meetings and ongoing virtual sessions throughout the year.

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Education Oversight Chairman Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee, released the following statement after recent mandate by State Superintendent Ryan Walters to end all end-of-year state testing:  " End-of-year state assessments are mandated by both state and federal law. The Legislature has consistently worked to make student testing more efficient and meaningful for students, parents, and teachers. We look forward to continued collaboration with Superintendent Walters and school districts so that any proposed changes to student testing align with state law and provides clear, actionable information on student college and career readiness."

OKLAHOMA CITY - Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, joined lawmakers and industry leaders Thursday morning at the Oklahoma State Capitol to speak at the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Multistate Collaborative, a national forum focused on shaping the future of flight.  Hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, the event drew stakeholders from across the country to discuss policy, infrastructure and innovation related to electric aircraft, vertical takeoff systems and Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS).  “Oklahoma has a proud aviation legacy, and we're not slowing down,” said Miller, who chairs the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Transportation. “From workforce development to regulatory modernization, our state is making strategic investments to lead the next chapter in aerospace. It was an honor to stand with industry experts and fellow lawmakers committed to keeping Oklahoma on the leading edge.” Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, also attended the event and spoke about the broader impact of aviation on Oklahomans.  “Thankful to Representative Nicole Miller for inviting me to sit with her and learn more about AAM,” said Hefner. “It's exciting to be a part of the second largest industry in Oklahoma and learn how this can help other areas like health care and people in Oklahoma who have a disability.” Rep. Clay Staires, R-Skiatook, emphasized the importance of streamlining and updating aeronautics policy to support future growth in the sector.  “As the aviation industry evolves, our policies must evolve with it,” said Staires. “Events like this help us better understand the needs of the industry and the opportunities for Oklahoma. Solving traffic congestion will require us to think vertically rather than horizontally, and advanced air mobility gives our state the chance to lead that shift. We’re working to ensure Oklahoma remains competitive and ready to support this new era of air mobility.”  Formed in 2023, the AAM Multistate Collaborative brings together state leaders working to prepare for the integration of advanced air mobility into local communities. The group focuses on aligning state-level planning with evolving federal guidance.

Oklahoma City- Statement from Speaker Kyle Hilbert Regarding Investigation into State Department of Education TV Incident: "On Friday, July 25, two members of the State Board of Education made graphic allegations concerning what they say was visible on a television in the State Superintendent’s office during an executive session the previous day. Due to the serious and disturbing nature of these claims, I immediately called for an independent and transparent third-party review to determine exactly what occurred. That weekend, I spoke directly with State Superintendent Ryan Walters. He assured me that he welcomed a thorough investigation and had requested the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to come onsite to investigate. OMES confirmed with me that they would begin their work on Monday, July 28, which they did. OMES had contracted with Alias Cybersecurity to perform a forensic analysis of the situation. By Wednesday, July 30, their work resulted in a detailed 32-page report, which was received by my office that day. On page 7 of the report, a key detail emerged: “When initially powered on, the television displayed Samsung TV Plus Channel 1204 (Movie Hub Action).” The following day, July 31, I contacted a government affairs specialist with Samsung to request information on what had aired on Channel 1204 (Movie Hub Action) between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on July 24. It was, understandably, an unusual inquiry, and it took several days to receive a response. However, this morning, I was provided confirmation that the films airing during that timeframe were The Protector (1985) followed by The Foreigner (2017). Upon reviewing the  parental guidance summary for The Protector on IMDb , it is clear that the content described by the board members matches scenes from that movie. Additionally, this matches information shared with me in a phone call with the State Superintendent on Saturday, July 26, where he explained to me what he thought he saw on the screen when he turned around to turn it off was a doctor and a nurse and that he saw a white lab coat.  In my opinion, the most plausible explanation for what occurred that day is that the television, which had only been in the Superintendent’s office for fewer than two months, automatically launched Samsung’s free streaming service and began playing a film that contained explicit content, without anyone in the room realizing it at the time. This information seems to vindicate both the State Superintendent as well as the two board members. It is not credible to believe that the Superintendent or any member of his staff intentionally played an inappropriate film in the middle of an active board meeting. Additionally, it does not appear that Samsung’s internal movie channels list streamable content days in advance so a planned conspiracy would be highly unlikely. Instead, the available evidence points to a bizarre accident involving a newly installed television defaulting to a pre-programmed channel. I have talked to Superintendent Walters, OMES and all law enforcement agencies currently involved in the investigation, and I appreciate the diligence and cooperation of all parties involved to get to the bottom of this incident. It was an unfortunate and embarrassing situation, but thanks to the swift response and commitment to transparency, I believe we now have answers."

OKLAHOMA CITY — Three members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have been selected to join the 2025 class of the Henry Toll Fellowship, one of the nation’s premier leadership development programs for state government officials. Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber; Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City; and Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, are among 48 public servants from 34 states and U.S. territories named to this year’s fellowship class by The Council of State Governments (CSG). Participants in the program are selected through a competitive, peer-nominated process. The class includes a wide range of public officials, from legislative leaders and executive branch administrators to judges and agency directors, all recognized for their integrity, impact and potential to shape the future of state government. “I’m honored to represent Oklahoma and to learn alongside leaders from across the country,” Lowe said. “As a legislator, I’m always looking for ways to better understand the challenges other states are facing and the solutions they’re trying. I believe this kind of collaboration helps us all grow. This is a chance to bring back new tools to help us keep improving how we serve the great people of Oklahoma.” West said she looks forward to the experience and the perspective it will provide. “This is more than just a recognition, it’s an opportunity to step outside our day-to-day work and think long-term about leadership, service and good governance,” West said. “I’m grateful for the chance to represent Oklahoma and to learn from colleagues across the country who are also working hard to make government more responsive and effective." Pogemiller said she is grateful for the opportunity to grow as a leader and to connect with fellow public servants from across the country. “I am honored to be one of 48 members selected for the national CSG Henry Toll Fellowship. I look forward to strengthening my leadership skills to foster collaboration and build policies that support working Oklahomans.” The program will be held Aug. 8-12 in Lexington, Kentucky, and brings together elected and appointed leaders from all three branches of state government. Fellows take part in intensive sessions designed to strengthen leadership, communication and collaboration skills. Since its inception in 1986, the fellowship has helped more than 1,400 state leaders refine their ability to govern effectively.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, has been named a 2025 Legislative Champion by Mental Health America (MHA), the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit focused on mental health advocacy, education and policy. Pae, who serves as chair of the House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Human Services, was nominated for the award by Mental Health Association Oklahoma in recognition of his work as co-chair of the bipartisan Oklahoma Mental Health Caucus.  "I’m truly honored to receive this award from Mental Health America," Pae said. "Mental health is essential to the overall well-being of our communities, and there is growing momentum in Oklahoma to treat mental health with the urgency and compassion it deserves. I’m proud to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to expand access to resources and support."  He was also honored for authoring House Bill 2012 , which extended harm reduction programming to help address substance use and improve community health outcomes across the state. The bill passed the House but was not heard on the Senate floor this year.

Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, has been appointed to serve as a member of the Oklahoma-Israel Exchange Commission (OKIE). She was appointed by Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, for a term that began effective immediately. "I’m honored to join the Oklahoma-Israel Exchange Commission and support their mission of building meaningful connections between Oklahoma and Israel," Gise said. "This partnership has already produced powerful initiatives, and I look forward to contributing to projects that foster cultural understanding, economic growth and global innovation." The Oklahoma-Israel Exchange Commission works to strengthen ties between the State of Oklahoma and the State of Israel through collaborative programs and partnerships that span commerce, agriculture, culture and education. Through its efforts, OKIE promotes mutual understanding and goodwill while supporting innovative projects that improve lives in both communities. Gise has been a strong supporter of Oklahoma’s relationship with Israel during her first term in the House. She has authored and supported multiple pro-Israel measures, including bills addressing antisemitism.