Representative Annie Menz

D

District 45

Hello, I’m Annie Menz and I’m proudly representing the people of Oklahoma’s 45th District.

representative

News & Announcements

Oct 13, 2025

Norman Delegation Comments on Transition of HUB 107 Services

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, released the following joint statement after the announcement of HUB 107 being consolidated into the Alameda location of Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center: “On October 7, we were informed of the decision by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to fold the services of HUB 107 into the Alameda location of Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center by October 17.  “Since 2022, HUB 107 has operated under COCMH as a peer-led, immediate resource center to the general public regardless of housing situation.  “We’ve been further informed that continued services will include food, clothing, pet supplies, and vaccinations — and that COCMH staff are actively seeking other partners to assist with laundry and shower services but will not provide them regularly. Additionally, HUB 107 staff will retain their employment.  “We are communicating with the agencies about the effects of this transition, and, while we appreciate the retention of staff and continuation of most services, we have the following concerns: — The loss of hygiene resources for our unhoused neighbors is an issue of personal and public health. Prioritizing short term savings over public safety will have long term consequences that affect everyone.  — The loss of a day drop center will affect and potentially disrupt the work of neighboring state resources such as COCMH and Griffin Hospital.  — HUB 107 has served as a buffer between our unhoused community and our downtown area business and homeowners. The loss of this buffer could result in more public incidents.  — ODMHSAS already owns the HUB 107 building, so annual savings will not dig the Department out of the overwhelming financial hole created during the Governor’s past appointments.  — Less than two weeks' notice of closure is not a responsible approach to shifting resources and guiding a population.  “Many members of the Legislature have shown willingness to supplement ODHMSAS through this struggle, but the Governor’s continued insistence upon 'flat budgets' and his war of words against 'goody two shoes' appears to be in the way of public health and safety. And while the Governor groans openly about the state of his own publicly subsidized mansion, diminishing a resource that serves entire communities only perpetuates negative cycles of public health and poverty.  “Short term savings rarely result in long term gains. The financial woes of ODMHSAS are highly publicized and will be taken out, in part, on our community. Fortunately, Norman has a history of stepping up for our neighbors in times of struggle, and we stand resolved in that collective endurance. However, the state has a responsibility to this community which has provided critical access for so many services over the past century, and we are working to hold the state accountable to that. We continue to fight for accessible housing, mental health services, and for the founding notion of our country that all humans are created equal regardless of circumstance,” –  Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman -END-

Oct 9, 2025

Menz, Pogemiller, Waldron conduct interim study on childhood hunger

OKLAHOMA CITY – Tuesday, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, conducted an interim study on childhood hunger in Oklahoma and its impacts. Officials from Hunger Free Oklahoma, Norman Public Schools, Seminole Public Schools, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, OU Health, and Mission: Readiness, as well as the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture presented during the study. The study revealed many findings about the state of childhood hunger in Oklahoma and explored potential solutions. It showed that 64% of Oklahoma families qualify for free/reduced lunches and that one in four children in Oklahoma are food insecure. Oklahoma ranks 46th in the nation for food insecurity. The study also found that food insecurity in teens has a negative impact on their mental health, which increases the risk of suicide and other mental health struggles. “Food insecurity has lasting health costs for our state,” said Pogemiller. “When we expand access to SNAP, school meals, and summer feeding, we invest in healthier kids and stronger communities.” Oklahoma is not alone in its battle against childhood hunger. According to the study, 77% of America's youth can't meet the physical qualifications for military service, making childhood malnutrition a national security threat. “Investing in solutions to childhood hunger isn’t just feeding children, it’s fueling the future,” said Menz. “Every meal given today nourishes a mind, strengthens a community, and builds a more prosperous society for us all.”  The study showed there are efforts in place to combat this, such as Oklahoma farmers supplementing feeding programs in the state. The Oklahoma Department of Ag's "Local Food 4 Schools" program also helps keep food quality high for feeding programs. The study explored that a large portion of schools in the state are eligible to leverage federal funding to expand their free lunch programs, but they are not doing it because they would still have to pay for part of it and they can't afford it.  One solution offered during the study was the formation of a task force with the goal of providing great quality meals in schools with no costs to families.  “School’s lunch and breakfast programs are a win-win,” said Waldron. “Feeding kids boosts health and nutrition, behavior and test scores. Oklahoma is a farm state where no child should go hungry. I’m glad the Chairman wants a bipartisan task force to produce ways to improve school nutrition.” You can view the entire study on the  Oklahoma House of Representatives website. -END-

Sep 23, 2025

Norman legislators respond to OTA’s newest plans

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, released the following statement after the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) announced plans for a South Extension Turnpike alignment. ?"Today’s announcement by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority casts a renewed cloud of ?uncertainty and fear over yet another 25,000 acres of homes, farms, and ranches in Cleveland and ?McClain Counties. Once again, thousands of Oklahomans are being forced to live under the ?looming threat of displacement, and without a clear, evidence-based justification.? "The OTA continues to operate in a way that undermines public trust. We are deeply concerned that ?this latest route announcement marks the beginning of another round of backroom deals made ?through the so-called 'right of way access' process. Since 2022, we have brought to light that this ?process is riddled with secrecy, devoid of transparency, and ripe for political favoritism. The last ?time a path was announced, we learned that well-connected individuals, including political figures, ?received disproportionately favorable deals when selling their land. That is unacceptable. "Today's event was just another opportunity for OTA to bully and traumatize the public. Let's be ?clear about a few things: OTA is not a state agency, and, therefore, they do not work for the people. ?They are a public trust with no trust from the public. These performative tactics they have ?displayed over the past three years are either solely for the benefit of a small group of people so ?that they can appear to be affable, or they are genuinely concerned over the public's opinion of ?them—which indicates a guilty conscience on their part. It is past time for them to stop trying to ?manipulate the narrative and listen to what their conscience is trying to tell them.? "We call on the leadership at the OTA, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and the ?Legislature to demand real transparency, real accountability, and a real public justification for this ?project. Until then, we stand with the people of Norman, Cleveland County, and McClain County ?who are once again being asked to bear the burden of a flawed and corrupt process."  — Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman -END-