Representative Mickey Dollens

D

District 93

Hi, I’m Mickey Dollens and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 93rd District.


representative

Leadership

Minority Whip

58th Legislature

Minority Whip

59th Legislature

News & Announcements

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-

Apr 17, 2025

Several House Democratic Members debate against Resolution proclaiming state-sanctioned religion in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY – Several members of the House Democratic Caucus stood up to debate against HCR 1013, which would proclaim in Oklahoma that “Christ is King,” arguing that it excludes Oklahomans who identify with other religions as well as Oklahomans who are not religious. “We spent over an hour on the House Floor today and did not solve a single problem for everyday Oklahomans,” said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. “We did not help ease financial burdens for working families, we did not do anything to help Oklahomans who need housing and healthcare. What the Republican supermajority did today was politicize personal, deeply-held religious beliefs. This resolution does not solve problems, it’s pandering. Oklahomans want us focused on improving our state and focused on the issues that will do that.” Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, stated that our government is a democracy, not a theocracy. “I want to amplify the voices of Christians who recognize this resolution as rooted in Christian Nationalism which is not a religion but a political ideology rooted in power, control, and exclusion,” Dollens said. “I want to amplify the voices of all Oklahomans with different religious beliefs, as well as atheists and agnostics. What we are doing here today elevates one religion over another. It sends a message to all other religions recognized by the IRS that they are not as important as Christians. We are not a theocracy, but that is where we are headed with legislation such as this. This is the opposite of religious freedom. The only way to protect that freedom is to uphold the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. Our founding fathers were intentional with their language in not naming a specific deity, and this resolution is disrespectful to them, the constitution, and Oklahomans of all religious faiths.” Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, an open atheist, debated against HCR 1013, asserting that there are ways to properly recognize religions without elevating one over all others. “I would happily vote for a resolution acknowledging the contributions of Christianity and Christians in Oklahoma, that is not what this resolution says,” McCane said. “This puts one deity over all others and is exclusionary, even among Christians. I don’t believe the government should exclude anyone. Moreover, the bible states those in government were placed there by God and goes on to say the people must obey the government. That would include following the Constitution which requires separation of church and state. This resolution is not about reflecting the values stated in the bible, it is about prioritizing one subsect of Christianity over others, and all other religions, and Oklahomans who are not religious. This is a waste of taxpayer dollars, a waste of time for our legal staff to write it up, and worthy of reporting to DOGE.” Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, argued that this resolution does not reflect biblical values. “If we want people to know that 'Christ is King,' then the legislature should show it with the work we do. Words alone are not enough,” said Fugate. “We should defend the principles of Jesus, instead we defund them. The words of Jesus are recorded in Matthew 25. For some reason, it’s no longer acceptable to be ‘sheep’. But Jesus said the sheep who take care of the poor, the sick, the hungry, the homeless, the stranger, and the imprisoned are those who will inherit his kingdom.” -END-

Apr 7, 2025

Dollens Opposes SB 1027 Following Committee Passage

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Representative Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statements after Senate Bill 1027 passed out of the House Elections and Ethics Committee on Monday with a party line vote of 6, 1.  The legislation, which proposes sweeping changes to Oklahoma’s citizen-led ballot initiative process, has drawn criticism from voters, legal experts, and democracy advocates across the state. “Oklahoma’s Constitution begins with a powerful truth: ‘All political power is inherent in the people.’ SB 1027 turns that principle on its head,” said Rep. Dollens. “This bill prioritizes politicians over people, and if it becomes law, it will make citizen-led initiatives nearly impossible to get on the ballot for a statewide vote. SB 1027 proposes numerous changes to the petition process, including strict geographic limits on signature gathering, a ban on out-of-state contributions, and new overreaching powers for the Secretary of State to approve or reject petition language based on subjective criteria.” Dollens points to the following provisions: Signature caps by county: SB 1027 limits the number of valid signatures from any one county. “This violates the principle of one person, one vote,” said Rep. Dollens. “It disproportionately disenfranchises voters in Oklahoma’s most populated counties and excludes valid voter signatures from being counted.” Empowering the Secretary of State: The bill grants the Secretary of State broad and unilateral authority to reject the “gist” of a petition based on vague terms such as “euphemisms” or “partiality.” The Secretary can also delay when signature gathering begins and determine which signatures may be invalidated or removed. Constitutional concerns: SB 1027 includes provisions that were previously struck down in federal court. In Yes on Term Limits v. Savage (2008), the Tenth Circuit ruled that Oklahoma’s ban on non-resident circulators violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The bill also attempts to ban out-of-state contributions, which conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC. Rep. Dollens says that Oklahoma already has the shortest signature-gathering window in the nation—just 90 days—making the process more burdensome than in any other state. “In committee, I recommended an amendment to extend the window to 180 days to provide citizens with a fair opportunity to meet the high signature threshold in less populated areas of the state,” said Dollens. “Unfortunately, that amendment was not accepted today. I plan to keep pushing for expanding the signature gathering window when the bill is heard on the House floor.” Rep. Dollens emphasized that while the bill is being framed as an effort to improve transparency and accountability, he believes its actual effect is to restrict access to the democratic process. “This bill is not about reform—it’s about control over the people’s right to petition their government,” said Dollens. “It’s a direct response to successful ballot initiatives passed by citizens of Oklahoma when the legislature failed to act. Rather than listening to voters, SB 1027 seeks to silence them.” Dollens urged the public to stay engaged as the bill advances. “I’m calling on all Oklahomans—regardless of party—to contact their representatives and demand a NO vote on SB 1027. This legislation threatens the people’s right to shape public policy when elected leaders fail to act. We must defend our constitutional right to petition the government.” -END-