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

Aug 12, 2025

House Democratic members comment on passing of former Oklahoma Representative Debbie Blackburn

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-

Jul 22, 2025

House Democrats adopt resolution for humane treatment of immigrants

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus adopted a resolution urging state and local leaders to abide by the U.S. Constitution and treat immigrants with the fairness and respect they rightfully deserve. The resolution reasserts that every person within the borders of the United States is entitled to due process, equal protection, and humane treatment. It also says law enforcement officers should not hide their identities or wear masks that conceal their identity when dealing with the public unless they are illness related. It also calls for every agency in the state to be transparent about who is being detained and where they are being held.  “Every single human being deserves to have the same rights enshrined in the Constitution,” said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. “They deserve to be treated with respect, humanity, and fairness. While so many individuals, both documented and undocumented, are fearing for their safety, it is important we remember that we are human beings first and that everyone needs access to information regarding their loved ones—detained or not. Every Oklahoman deserves due process and equal protection regardless of their documentation status as written in our Constitution.” Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City, a member of the Oklahoma Legislative Latino Caucus, says this resolution shows Oklahoma House Democrats’ commitment to upholding the Constitution. “This resolution demonstrates our commitment to our nation’s Constitution, which grants rights to every person regardless of citizenship status,” said Alonso-Sandoval. “We are reaffirming our support for those who come to our nation, work hard every day toward the American dream, and in doing so make our state and nation stronger.” Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, a member of the Oklahoma Legislative Latino Caucus, says kindness is a shared Oklahoma value. “In Oklahoma, showing kindness to immigrants reflects who we are and who we’re called to be—people of welcome, not of walls,” Menz said. “Our public policies must be a reflection of our deepest values: compassion, hard work, and the belief that everyone deserves a place to belong.” To read a copy of the resolution in English, click  here . To read the document in Spanish, click  here . -END-

Jul 7, 2025

Menz, Pogemiller, Waldron comment on new OSDE mandate for schools to fully fund student meals

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, released the following statements regarding a new mandate from the Oklahoma State Department of Education that requires schools to fully fund student meals. Menz invited the State Superintendent to collaborate with her on her longstanding effort to get free lunches for all public school students. “I was stunned and thrilled when I read about Superintendent Walters' most recent mandate regarding free school lunches,” Menz said. “I have filed and cosponsored legislation, cohosted bipartisan interim studies, published op-eds and held countless meetings all toward the goal of expanding the free lunch program in our schools, and I am glad someone in statewide leadership is finally listening to me. Hungry kids can't learn, and every child deserves access to healthy nutritious meals. I hope that going forward, Mr. Walters will be more collaborative with the legislature, to determine lasting budget solutions to make this program work for our kids.”  Pogemiller said this new mandate is unfunded and comes a week after the deadline for schools to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision.  “The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) allows schools to use federal funds to offer no-cost meals to students,” said Pogemiller. “Schools qualify if just 25% of students meet the threshold, making it an efficient way to increase access and improve nutrition for all students. As of the end of 2024, 267 districts and 849 schools in Oklahoma were participating in CEP. Yet the deadline to apply for CEP was June 30—meaning this new potential mandate arrived too late for districts to adjust their plans, and our state won’t have the chance to prioritize this in the budget until next year. Happy to work towards this goal, but the reality is that Walters' approach is an unfunded mandate.” Waldron supports free lunches in schools so long as they don’t negatively impact local districts. “School lunch programs are proven to boost learning, improve test scores and promote healthy bodies,” said Waldron. “House Democrats have worked on this issue for a long time, and we're glad to see OSDE taking this stand. In my district, Tulsa Public Schools already provides free lunches to all. We hope there will be an opportunity to work on this collaboratively, without disruption to local school finances so that every child has a chance to succeed.” -END-