Representative Ellen Pogemiller

D

District 88

Hi, I’m Ellen Pogemiller and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 88th District.

representative

News & Announcements

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-

May 20, 2025

House Democratic members oppose state budget, tax cut for leaving thousands of Oklahomans behind

OKLAHOMA CITY – Several Oklahoma House Democratic Members rose to debate against HB 2766, the general appropriations bill for FY-2026, and HB 2764, which provides a quarter-percent cut to the personal income tax rate. Arguments against both bills pointed to a lack of prioritizing everyday Oklahomans, setting the state up for potential financial challenges with the income tax cut, and lack of preparations for looming cuts to funding by the federal government. "This budget does not reflect the true needs of everyday Oklahomans," said House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. "We had an opportunity to provide targeted tax relief to those who need it most while protecting our revenue base. Instead, Republican legislative leaders put the Governor's priority of decimating our revenue base and putting core functions of government at risk before meeting those needs. We continue to be last on the list for education and healthcare—two of the most important components of building a strong economy—and this budget does nothing to address either in a real way. By prioritizing flat agency budgets and an income tax cut that helps the wealthiest Oklahomans, we continue to kick the can down the road to truly move our state forward. We can do better, and we should." Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, said this budget could do more to help Oklahomans. “Tying the budget to an income tax cut is a hard ‘no’ for me,” Ranson said. “I believe we could do so much more for Oklahomans. Restricting our revenue when we are already a poor revenue state, is not planning for the future–it’s not even planning for today. Agency budgets were held flat, which means this budget was built for the past.” Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, said an income tax cut disproportionately benefits the wealthiest Oklahomans. “On paper, an income tax cut might sound good—but in reality, it overwhelmingly benefits those making over $100,000 a year,” McCane said. “The median household income in our state is under $65,000. Most families won’t see meaningful relief, but they will feel the consequences—a decrease in essential state services, crumbling infrastructure, and overburdened healthcare systems. And let’s be honest: we’re staring down unknown federal budget cuts and navigating a virtual fun house of shifting tariff policies that could hit our farmers and small businesses hard. This is not the time for reckless revenue cuts. We need tax policy that’s smart, stable, and centered on everyday Oklahomans—not giveaways for the wealthiest few.” Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, said the budget chooses tax cuts over Oklahoma communities. “Let’s be clear: companies and families won’t choose to move to Oklahoma because it’s the cheapest option—they will move here because of our infrastructure, our educated workforce and the resources which are at risk due to a trigger tax cut,” Pogemiller said. “This month alone, two child care centers in my district shut their doors. Instead of raising subsidies to reflect the actual cost of care, we handed out tax cuts worth just $11.91 a month for the median income earner in our state. Meanwhile, critical federal funding for programs like SNAP and Medicaid are under threat. Rather than planning for the long-term sustainability of these lifelines, we chose tax cuts over our communities.” -END-

Mar 28, 2025

House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson celebrates passage of Caucus priorities helping all Oklahomans

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, gave an update on House Democratic priorities as the First Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature reaches its halfway point. “I am pleased to announce House Democrats passed 30 bills off the House Floor that are now eligible to be heard in the Senate,” Leader Munson said. “All of these bills were in line with our priorities of lowering costs for working families, supporting public education, creating better access to healthcare and childcare, and protecting the most vulnerable Oklahomans. I am proud of every Member of the House Democratic Caucus for standing up for the rights of all Oklahomans and devoting their time and energy to working on policies we know will help the State of Oklahoma.” Bills passed off the House Floor by House Democrats include but are not limited to: HB 1848, Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, HD-70 An Employer tax credit for sharing in childcare costs to strengthen our workforce infrastructure. HB 1111, Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, HD-88 Creates an elderly simplified application project for SNAP for 60+ or individuals with a disability. HB 1852, Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, HD-70 Protects consumers to ensure understanding of annual subscription commitments and requires reminder prior to renewal. HB 1982, Rep. Trish Ranson, HD-34 Requires textbook vendors have electronic materials available at time of sale. HB 1493, Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, HD-46 Requires at least 30 minutes of daily recess for all-day Pre-K through 5th grade, leaving scheduling to local school boards. HB 1955, Rep. John Waldron, HD-77 Improves the National Board Certification process for Oklahoma teachers. HB 1849, Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, HD-70 For recruitment and retention of early childcare teachers offering no cost childcare incentive. HB 1834, Rep. Ellyn Hefner, HD-87 creates the Disaster Savings Account Act for a savings account designed to help individuals and families prepare for and recover from natural disasters, such as storms, floods, wildfires, and other severe weather events. HB 1831, Rep. Ellyn Hefner, HD-87 Creates the Oklahoma Community Health Workers Act: the legislative foundation to recognize Community Health Workers as an essential part of the healthcare system. HB 1389, Rep. Melissa Provenzano, HD-79 Covers diagnostic and supplemental mammograms with no cost-sharing. HB 1853, Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, HD-70 Expands deductibles to include cash payments for out-of-pocket medical services. HB 1137, Rep. Ron Stewart, HD-73 Allows state funding for the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons. HB 2235, Leader Cyndi Munson, HD-85 Updates compensation for those who are wrongfully convicted.   “While I am happy with the work we were able to accomplish, there is still so much more to do,” Leader Munson said. “Members of the House Democratic Caucus filed over 200 pieces of legislation that would raise the minimum wage, modernize and expand the sales tax relief credit, raise teacher and support staff pay, expand Oklahoma’s Promise, and ensure every child in our state has access to nutritious meals at schools. Unfortunately, these bills were not given a hearing by legislative Republican leaders. Moving bills through the legislative process is not an easy task, but Members of our Caucus continue—and will continue—to put in the hard work it takes to ensure everyday Oklahomans have the best chance of prosperity and success. We will never give up working to fight for all Oklahomans all across our state—we are committed to improving the lives of everyone.” -END-