Representative Jared Deck

D

District 44

Hi, I'm Jared Deck and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 44th District.


representative

News & Announcements

May 30, 2025

House Democrats approve resolution to remove Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democrats voted for SCR 12 to effectively remove the Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Allie Friesen. “ODMHSAS offers life-saving services to Oklahomans, and it is imperative we make sure it is funded properly and responsibly for the well-being of all Oklahomans,” said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. “The Governor’s inaction on this ongoing issue has left the legislature no choice but to take steps to repair the situation at ODMHSAS and protect Oklahomans and their tax dollars. In 2019, I opposed efforts to centralize power in the hands of the Governor to appoint agency heads. Today, we are living through the consequences of one person holding too much power and refusing to act. This resolution is a step in the right direction at addressing the continual financial crisis at ODMHSAS and restoring accountability to an agency so many Oklahomans rely on and need.” House Democratic Assistant Leader Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, served on the special investigative committee to review ODMHSAS. “The continued financial uncertainty at the ODMHSAS, inability to account for the agency's budget and persistent unwillingness to answer basic financial questions has created chaos for Tulsa-area mental health providers for months, including possible cuts to critical, life-savings services like COPES,” Provenzano said. “The Commissioner has refused to answer basic funding questions over several months to the point that we gave up and sought help for answers outside the agency. We needed to take action today. We ensured that jobs will not continue to be at risk, contracts signed will be executed with fidelity, and patients will get the services they need without interruption” House Democratic Caucus Chair Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, also served on the special investigative committee to review ODMHSAS. “From what I’ve seen and heard in the Investigative Committee, removing Allie Friesen as Commissioner of ODMHSAS is the first step to holding her and the Governor accountable,” Ranson said. “Everyday Oklahomans are missing out on vital mental health services due to the agency’s financial mismanagement. If the Governor won’t remove her from her position, it is up to the legislature.” House Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, also served on the special investigative committee. “We must safeguard Oklahoma’s highly vulnerable population needing mental health care–our neighbors, family, and children,” Hefner said. “Since the appointment of Allie Friesen, we have observed a complete deterioration of the state’s mental health and substance use treatment safety net. Our responsibility is to ensure agency leadership demonstrates the competency, compassion, clinical expertise, and business acumen required to navigate this self-created crisis.” House Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, said this shortfall is costing people their jobs. “This shortfall has caused people to lose their jobs and has caused my constituents, and many Oklahomans, to lose life-saving services,” Pittman said. “That is something we must take seriously. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it is especially heartbreaking that in this month, people are actively losing access to care because of the challenges at this agency. While I thank the Commissioner for her service to our state, it is evident that the people of Oklahoma need immediate solutions. The Legislature is taking that step to help get those solutions in place. We remain committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and stability in the delivery of mental health and substance abuse services. The people of Oklahoma deserve nothing less.” House Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, said this has been an ongoing problem at ODMHSAS. “Since I was elected in 2022, the struggle to request and receive trustworthy communication from ODMHSAS has been palpable,” Deck said. “The problems facing the Department span through and beyond the tenure of this Commissioner. The mismanagement of the Donahue Proposal, the lack of communication with employees and agencies on Norman’s Griffin campus, and the blatant lack of accountability in spending leaves this Legislature no choice but to move on. That said, we need more than a change in leadership, we need a shift toward policy that prioritizes care to our consumers and the competent administration of that care.” The resolution passed the House with a vote of 81, 5. The resolution also passed the Senate. -END-

May 7, 2025

House Democrats oppose bill that silences Oklahoma voices in initiative petition process

OKLAHOMA CITY – Members of the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus debated against SB 1027, a bill that would limit the number of signatures by Oklahomans in urban areas of the state for initiative petitions. SB 1027 limits the number of valid signatures from any one county. Voters in Oklahoma and Tulsa counties—where nearly 40% of Oklahomans live—could contribute no more than 10% of total signatures each. “Oklahomans are overwhelmingly opposed to this bill because they know it works to silence their efforts to engage in direct democracy," said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. “I am so tired of the pitting of urban and rural Oklahomans against each other by our state's leaders. Regardless of where Oklahomans live, they care about quality public schools, access to affordable and quality healthcare, and making a living wage that allows them to care for themselves and their families. By limiting Oklahomans' ability to put forth their priorities when their legislators don't act, we are limiting their freedom to pursue the Oklahoma they want to live in. SB1027 was not requested by Oklahomans, but rather by interest groups, yet the negative impact of this legislation will last generations. My Democratic colleagues in the House urge the Governor to veto SB1027." Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, debated against SB 1027 and proposed an amendment to extend the signature-gathering window from 90 days to 180. That amendment was tabled. “The tabling of my amendment to extend the signature-gathering window from 90 days to 180 days proves that this bill has nothing to do with obtaining more rural input and everything to do with silencing citizens’ voices and severely hindering their constitutional right to petition their government.” Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, debated against the measure and proposed an amendment that would let Oklahomans decide if they wanted this change to their initiative petition process. That amendment was also tabled. “It is very hard to get a measure on the ballot via initiative petition, and this body just voted to make it even harder,” Fugate said. “If we are going to take away the power of the people, we should at least give them the opportunity to decide for themselves if that’s what they want. Sadly, they voted down my amendment to do just that.” Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, also debated against the measure and now urges Oklahomans to call for a veto. “Since statehood, when the government has failed, the people have risen to action. Today, the Oklahoma House of Representatives gave preference to the failure of government over the will of the people. The House decided that it knows better than the very voters who elected us. This is the broadest harm to self-government I’ve seen and a decision I believe we will regret for generations to come. The opportunity to put this removal of rights to a vote of the people was offered and rejected. I ask all Oklahomans to call for the Governor to veto this attack on our right to petition our government.” Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, debated against the bill. “Proponents of this legislation claim it will give a greater voice to rural Oklahomans, but the fact is, it stifles the voices of all Oklahomans at a time when the people’s ability to engage in the political process is as important as ever,” Bennett said.  Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa, also debated against the bill. “Oklahoma was founded on populist principles of putting people over politics,” Schreiber said. “We lose that right with SB 1027. No matter how you slice it, the bill strips Oklahomans’ rights and shifts power away from the people and into the hands of politicians. I’m not for that–I’m for people over politics.” Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, also debated against the bill, stating it is an assault on direct democracy. “SB1027 is not about expanding the voice of the people—it’s about silencing them,” McCane said. “Time and time again, Oklahomans have told us they feel ignored, that their voices aren't reaching this chamber, and that their representatives aren't advocating for them. Instead of listening, this bill places even more barriers between the people and their power. It’s unnecessary, restrictive, and a direct assault on our constitutional right to direct democracy. This should be a resounding alarm to the people of Oklahoma: our government is no longer operating as the people’s government.” -END-

May 5, 2025

House Democratic Caucus conducts leadership elections for 61st Legislature

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus conducted elections for leadership members for the 61st Legislature. “I am deeply proud of the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus for committing themselves to doing the hard work for all Oklahomans every day and I look forward to that work continuing with this upcoming group of compassionate and capable leaders,” said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. “I trust that they will work to ensure a state government that works for and serves all Oklahomans, just as they have as members of this caucus. Oklahoma House Democrats remain focused on legislation we know will help everyday Oklahomans and solve the problems they face and we are committed to pushing back on legislation we know will not. Congratulations to Leader-elect Provenzano, Caucus Chair-elect Deck, and Vice Chair-elect Hefner!” The incoming Leadership team issued the following statement:  “We look forward to telling the story of what it means to be an Oklahoma Democrat. Here in Oklahoma, Democrats believe: living should cost less between paychecks, every child deserves a free, quality public education, and that we all have the best chance of success when we're healthy and have access to the care we need. Finally, we believe Oklahomans should retire comfortably at the time that is right for us.” The House Democratic Caucus voted Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, as the Leader-elect. “Oklahomans are practical, independent and strong,” Provenzano said. “There's room for everyone here to build a life for themselves. Oklahomans deserve leaders focused on making that possible.” Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, was voted as the Caucus Chair-elect. “As the next Caucus Chair, I’m committed to the development of our team as we work to address the tangible needs of working families and inspire the next generation of public servants,” said Deck. Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, was voted as the Caucus Vice Chair-elect. “Together, we can create a path forward that puts people first and moves Oklahoma toward a more hopeful future,” Hefner said. House Democratic Leader Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, Democratic Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, and Caucus Vice Chairman Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, will remain in their leadership positions until November 3, 2026.  Rep. Provenzano, Rep. Deck, and Rep. Hefner will assume their leadership positions on November 4, 2026. -END-