Representative Cyndi Munson

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 21, 2025

House Democratic Legislators comment on federal funding for SNAP to be suspended, urge federal support of Oklahomans

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, released the following statements after it was announced that federal funding for SNAP will be suspended beginning November 1, 2025, because of the federal government shutdown. “Just as we predicted earlier this month, Oklahomans are paying the price of our federal delegation refusing to work together. Over 684,600 Oklahomans–mainly the elderly, veterans, and children– rely on SNAP benefits, and now that burden will be placed on local community resources who are already overwhelmed. This is a direct result of those in Congress not doing the job they were elected to do to serve their constituents and protect the services and jobs on which Oklahomans rely. I urge Oklahomans to take advantage of local community resources as they need. I further urge the federal delegation to consider the consequences that will only continue to worsen the longer this shutdown continues and to do what needs to be done to protect Oklahomans who are just trying to make it by each day.”  –House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City “Oklahoma families are going to suffer because the Republican controlled federal government won’t compromise. This will be a hard Thanksgiving unless we learn to compromise. I’m calling on our state’s federal delegation to come up with a deal that protects essential services for working families.”  –Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa “Oklahomans are already struggling to afford food, and halting SNAP benefits in November will be devastating for families and seniors who are barely making ends meet. SNAP is our state’s safety net against hunger. While nonprofits and churches will do their best to step up, they simply cannot fill the gap this would create.” – Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City “I’m worried for the families who will have to make even more tough decisions this holiday season due to bad choices in Washington D.C. In a time where government leaders should be working to end hunger, this move will only make hunger more severe and widespread. People deserve better. Since the federal government has failed us once again, it is my hope that all of my colleagues work together to meet needs and fund programs at the state level to keep people fed.”  –Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) says that unless the federal government resolves the shutdown, no new SNAP benefits will be issued on November 1. Recipients can continue using their current SNAP benefits and any remaining balance on their EBT card through October 31. OKDHS says it is unclear whether existing balances will remain available beginning in November. For now, OKDHS recommends continuing to use your benefits through October and to plan and budget in order to get the best use of your existing SNAP benefits. Recipients are to continue to submit all eligibility and recertification paperwork as usual and are encouraged to check on updates from OKDHS as they arrive. Local resources can be found on the  Be a Neighbor page. -END-



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-