Representative Michelle McCane

D

District 72

Hi, I’m Michelle McCane and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 72nd District.

representative

News & Announcements

Jun 12, 2025

McCane named a Bill Lowry Library Champion by Oklahoma Library Association

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, received a 2025 Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) Bill Lowry Library Champion Award. The award comes from the recommendation of the OLA Advocacy Committee of someone who strongly advocates for library services. “I am honored and humbled to be named a Bill Lowry Library Champion by the Oklahoma Library Association!” McCane said. “As a former school librarian, and a lifelong library kid, this one hits close to home. Libraries, whether in our neighborhoods or inside our schools, are essential. They’re where our kids find knowledge, safety, imagination, and truth. “I’m proud to stand with Oklahoma School Librarians (OKSL) and OLA to push for policies that ensure every child has access to strong, well-staffed school libraries and thriving public branches. This award isn’t just for me—it’s for every educator, every librarian, and every student who knows that stories change lives. Let’s keep fighting for the future our communities deserve.” McCane’s dedication to public education and commitment to students earned her Teacher of the Year honors at McLain High School (2020-2021) and Traice Academy (2023-2024). She has also received additional accolades for her exceptional impact on student outcomes and her steadfast advocacy for public education. -END-

May 20, 2025

House Democratic members oppose state budget, tax cut for leaving thousands of Oklahomans behind

OKLAHOMA CITY – Several Oklahoma House Democratic Members rose to debate against HB 2766, the general appropriations bill for FY-2026, and HB 2764, which provides a quarter-percent cut to the personal income tax rate. Arguments against both bills pointed to a lack of prioritizing everyday Oklahomans, setting the state up for potential financial challenges with the income tax cut, and lack of preparations for looming cuts to funding by the federal government. "This budget does not reflect the true needs of everyday Oklahomans," said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. "We had an opportunity to provide targeted tax relief to those who need it most while protecting our revenue base. Instead, Republican legislative leaders put the Governor's priority of decimating our revenue base and putting core functions of government at risk before meeting those needs. We continue to be last on the list for education and healthcare—two of the most important components of building a strong economy—and this budget does nothing to address either in a real way. By prioritizing flat agency budgets and an income tax cut that helps the wealthiest Oklahomans, we continue to kick the can down the road to truly move our state forward. We can do better, and we should." Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, said this budget could do more to help Oklahomans. “Tying the budget to an income tax cut is a hard ‘no’ for me,” Ranson said. “I believe we could do so much more for Oklahomans. Restricting our revenue when we are already a poor revenue state, is not planning for the future–it’s not even planning for today. Agency budgets were held flat, which means this budget was built for the past.” Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, said an income tax cut disproportionately benefits the wealthiest Oklahomans. “On paper, an income tax cut might sound good—but in reality, it overwhelmingly benefits those making over $100,000 a year,” McCane said. “The median household income in our state is under $65,000. Most families won’t see meaningful relief, but they will feel the consequences—a decrease in essential state services, crumbling infrastructure, and overburdened healthcare systems. And let’s be honest: we’re staring down unknown federal budget cuts and navigating a virtual fun house of shifting tariff policies that could hit our farmers and small businesses hard. This is not the time for reckless revenue cuts. We need tax policy that’s smart, stable, and centered on everyday Oklahomans—not giveaways for the wealthiest few.” Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, said the budget chooses tax cuts over Oklahoma communities. “Let’s be clear: companies and families won’t choose to move to Oklahoma because it’s the cheapest option—they will move here because of our infrastructure, our educated workforce and the resources which are at risk due to a trigger tax cut,” Pogemiller said. “This month alone, two child care centers in my district shut their doors. Instead of raising subsidies to reflect the actual cost of care, we handed out tax cuts worth just $11.91 a month for the median income earner in our state. Meanwhile, critical federal funding for programs like SNAP and Medicaid are under threat. Rather than planning for the long-term sustainability of these lifelines, we chose tax cuts over our communities.” -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-