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

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 27, 2025

Leader Munson bill to increase compensation for wrongfully convicted Oklahomans becomes law

OKLAHOMA CITY – HB 2235 by House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, was signed into law. The bill increases compensation for wrongfully convicted Oklahomans based on the number of years they were wrongfully incarcerated.  “This is a big win and step in the right direction for reforming Oklahoma’s criminal justice system,” Leader Munson said. “While no amount of money can make up for someone's life lost to wrongful conviction, this increased compensation restores dignity to a person’s life. We are holding our criminal justice system to a higher standard, placing responsibility to carefully convict those who are proven guilty. Oklahomans who are proven innocent and exonerated should be able to access compensation that helps them get back on their feet, reunite with their families, and rejoin their communities to move on with their lives. I am grateful for the bipartisan support in the Legislature and for the advocacy of a wide range of criminal justice organizations who helped get this bill signed into law. I am also grateful to Governor Stitt for finding common ground to make Oklahoma a more fair and just place to live.  “While I am disappointed the Governor line item vetoed the ability for a wrongfully convicted person to access health care and tuition benefits, I am still committed to working together to help Oklahomans access those benefits. They are both key to growing and sustaining our workforce, especially for those who were wrongfully incarcerated. I believe we can work together to get it done in the future.” The law goes into effect on July 1, 2025. -END-

May 22, 2025

Oklahoma House Democrats comment on Supreme Court blocking nation’s first religious charter school

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, and House Assistant Democratic Leader Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, released the following statements after a divided Supreme Court blocked the creation of the nation’s first religious charter school. “The U.S. Constitution and Oklahoma Constitution were upheld today. As stated in both our state and U.S. Constitutions, Oklahomans across our state have demanded that public dollars stay in public schools, not religious or private schools. Oklahomans across our state have demanded that religious teaching stay in the home and responsibility of parents, not teachers. Today's decision is a win for taxpayers and religious freedom. Let’s get back to work on funding and protecting our public schools.”– House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City “Today, our U.S. Constitution held strong. In Oklahoma, we have had a front row seat to the effort to embed religious instruction into our public schools. Today, we are reassured that religious teaching, no matter the denomination or belief, remains in the rightful hands of parents and guardians, and not on the shoulders of Oklahoma taxpayers.” – House Assistant Democratic Leader Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa -END-