Representative Cyndi Munson

D

District 85

Hi, I’m Cyndi Munson and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 85th District.


representative

Leadership

Minority Leader

59th Legislature

Minority Leader

60th Legislature

Minority Caucus Chair

58th Legislature

News & Announcements

Oct 2, 2025

Oklahoma House Democrats respond to changes at State Department of Education

OKLAHOMA CITY – Members and former educators of the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus responded on Thursday to changes announced to the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). “Today, Governor Stitt announced drastic changes to OSDE. I want to congratulate Superintendent Lindel Fields, and I look forward to meeting him and working with him on behalf of our students, teachers, and families. I also look forward to meeting and working with Secretary of Education Dan Hamlin. I am hopeful that these appointments will be an improvement to the last State Superintendent, but it is important to remember that the bar has not been set at a high level.  “The challenges our public education system faces have been longstanding before the previous superintendent and seriously need to be addressed by legislative leaders. We must set a higher standard for ourselves to come together to eliminate these challenges that can be solved by working together. Republicans have had the reins on state government in Oklahoma for nearly two decades and they have prioritized tax cuts for the wealthiest and investments in private school vouchers with public tax dollars. This has left public education in Oklahoma underfunded for several years. It is my hope that the new team at OSDE works to listen to teachers and experts on the best ways to improve public education for everyone–students, teachers, and families. I disagree with putting forth legislation to make the Superintendent of Public Education a governor-appointed position. If we want to see the changes needed to our public education system, it should be up to the public to choose, and up to the legislature to listen.”  – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City “Whomever holds the job of State Superintendent must focus on two critical areas: stopping the teacher exodus and realigning the job to its true north–serving our kids, supporting our teachers, and reassuring families that the State Superintendent is there to help Oklahoma become, once again, one of the top states in the nation for student success. “We have everything we need to get this job done. We just need the right person to blaze the path. I wish Mr. Fields every success, and look forward to helping him achieve it.”  – House Assistant Democratic Leader Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa “I’m glad the new superintendent showed respect for teachers and for civility. That’s a needed rebuke of Ryan Walters’ methods. There’s a lot to do. We don’t just have to right the ship, we have to rebuild it, and that will take a greater commitment to public education than we have seen from this administration so far.”  – Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa “While I am cautiously optimistic about Lindel Fields’ appointment today as interim superintendent, there is significant work ahead to address the harm caused by the previous administration while also meeting the challenges facing Oklahoma’s schools. Experience shows that strong public and legislative oversight remain essential. I also want to be clear: I will strongly oppose any effort to turn the superintendent into a governor-appointed position rather than one elected by the people. The Legislature’s past decision to put OSDE appointments into the governor’s hands is part of why we’re in this mess. Checks and balances can’t work when power is consolidated and oversight is removed. Oklahomans must stay engaged: attend school board meetings, communicate with legislators, and demand transparency to ensure this office serves students first, not politics.”  – Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa “My great hope is that once the mess left by Ryan Walters is cleaned up, Mr. Fields and the administration will think outside the box to solve actual problems, instead of doubling down on the failed education policies (over-testing, private school vouchers, profiting, and the vilifying of teachers) that got us here in the first place.”  – Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman -END-

Oct 1, 2025

Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson comments on federal government shutdown

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement after the federal government was shut down because of congressional disagreements on funding. “Oklahomans are paying the cost of Congress refusing to work together,” said Leader Munson. “Many agencies are preparing for mass firings, employees must continue their work without pay, and many are being furloughed. We must remember that these disagreements directly affect people–our family members and neighbors. This shutdown will not only cost taxpayers but cost the livelihoods of thousands of federal employees as well as those who rely on federal services. The truth is this: Republicans control the White House, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House–it is their job to govern, which includes reaching across the aisle to create a budget that works for everyone. In a time of immense dysfunction in Washington, I am disappointed in our federal delegation for not finding a way to collaborate with their colleagues across the aisle to ensure Oklahomans do not lose their jobs or services. While this shutdown gets addressed in an indefinite amount of time, I encourage Oklahomans to continue to be there for one another and take the proper steps they need to prevent their lives from being further derailed by an administration that does not appear to put people’s lives above political disagreements.” According to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC), federal employees in Oklahoma can apply for unemployment benefits. OESC noted that when back pay is issued, Oklahomans will be required to return those benefits in full.  OESC also noted that if you are a federal employee or member of the military and continue to work 32 or more hours per week during the shutdown, even if you’re not being paid, you do not qualify for benefits due to federal law. Only those who are furloughed may qualify. You can reach the OESC call center at 405-525-1500 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also visit any of OESC’s 27 Oklahoma Works American Job Centers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A list of all OESC locations can be found  here . -END-

Sep 25, 2025

House Democratic Caucus responds to Walters’ resignation

OKLAHOMA CITY – Former educators and members of the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus released the following statements after the announcement that the Oklahoma State Superintendent is resigning from his post. “We are facing some of the most difficult challenges in public education in Oklahoma, and as per usual, the State Superintendent continues to keep the attention on him—even as he announces his resignation. We must remember that our 50th in the nation ranking for public education did not happen overnight or by Ryan Walters alone. Republicans have been in charge of state government for nearly two decades prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthiest and corporations and making massive investments in private school vouchers with our public tax dollars. The result has been a lack of investment in public education which has resulted in larger class sizes and low teacher pay. House Democrats made six calls to Republican legislative leaders to hold Ryan Walters accountable to no avail, and now, he is leaving office without answering any questions that Oklahomans have demanded. It is now time for us to get away from the distractions and put our focus on our students, teachers, and families—we have plenty of work to do, and it will take all of us.”  — Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City “Today brings a new beginning and opportunity for Oklahoma schools and our children. We have a lot of work to do to heal the damage of the last several years. That begins with renewed funding, and a sincere plea:  “Teachers, stick with us. Stay. If you’ve left, please come back. We need you, because Oklahoma kids deserve the best.”  — Oklahoma House Democratic Assistant Leader Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa “Superintendent Walters brought chaos and polarization to the state’s largest appropriated agency. Oklahoma Democrats were the first to call for action to rein in his reckless administration of public schools for 700,000 Oklahomans. The GOP did nothing as we fell to 50th in education. We are glad to see his resignation. Good riddance.”  — Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa “While it’s wonderful to wake up knowing the specter of the most incompetent state superintendent in Oklahoma history has vanished, what hasn’t vanished is his agenda. Our opposition was never solely about the superintendent, it’s the incompetence, the lies, the waste of taxpayer dollars, and the rhetoric. The work to protect our public schools, to listen to parents, to support our teachers, to provide transparency of our tax dollars continues, always!”  — Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman “While Walters announced his resignation on Fox News, the Governor’s office has not yet confirmed when or if it will take effect. Like many in my district, I am glad to finally see Walters put students first by resigning as superintendent. Unfortunately, his resignation won't magically fix all the harm he has done. Nor will it erase the failure of the Legislature to hold elected officials accountable and provide oversight of state agencies. His replacement will also be appointed by Governor Stitt, the same person who appointed him Secretary of Education in 2020. Whether you are celebrating his departure or not, this is the time for the people of Oklahoma to stay engaged. I encourage all Oklahomans to continue attending state and local board meetings as well as being in communication with legislators. Oklahoma’s students deserve better, and real change will only come when we demand it together.”   — Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa -END-