Representative Jared Deck

D

District 44

Hi, I'm Jared Deck and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 44th District.


representative

News & Announcements

Oct 13, 2025

Norman Delegation Comments on Transition of HUB 107 Services

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, released the following joint statement after the announcement of HUB 107 being consolidated into the Alameda location of Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center: “On October 7, we were informed of the decision by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to fold the services of HUB 107 into the Alameda location of Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center by October 17.  “Since 2022, HUB 107 has operated under COCMH as a peer-led, immediate resource center to the general public regardless of housing situation.  “We’ve been further informed that continued services will include food, clothing, pet supplies, and vaccinations — and that COCMH staff are actively seeking other partners to assist with laundry and shower services but will not provide them regularly. Additionally, HUB 107 staff will retain their employment.  “We are communicating with the agencies about the effects of this transition, and, while we appreciate the retention of staff and continuation of most services, we have the following concerns: — The loss of hygiene resources for our unhoused neighbors is an issue of personal and public health. Prioritizing short term savings over public safety will have long term consequences that affect everyone.  — The loss of a day drop center will affect and potentially disrupt the work of neighboring state resources such as COCMH and Griffin Hospital.  — HUB 107 has served as a buffer between our unhoused community and our downtown area business and homeowners. The loss of this buffer could result in more public incidents.  — ODMHSAS already owns the HUB 107 building, so annual savings will not dig the Department out of the overwhelming financial hole created during the Governor’s past appointments.  — Less than two weeks' notice of closure is not a responsible approach to shifting resources and guiding a population.  “Many members of the Legislature have shown willingness to supplement ODHMSAS through this struggle, but the Governor’s continued insistence upon 'flat budgets' and his war of words against 'goody two shoes' appears to be in the way of public health and safety. And while the Governor groans openly about the state of his own publicly subsidized mansion, diminishing a resource that serves entire communities only perpetuates negative cycles of public health and poverty.  “Short term savings rarely result in long term gains. The financial woes of ODMHSAS are highly publicized and will be taken out, in part, on our community. Fortunately, Norman has a history of stepping up for our neighbors in times of struggle, and we stand resolved in that collective endurance. However, the state has a responsibility to this community which has provided critical access for so many services over the past century, and we are working to hold the state accountable to that. We continue to fight for accessible housing, mental health services, and for the founding notion of our country that all humans are created equal regardless of circumstance,” –  Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman -END-

Sep 23, 2025

Norman legislators respond to OTA’s newest plans

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, released the following statement after the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) announced plans for a South Extension Turnpike alignment. ?"Today’s announcement by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority casts a renewed cloud of ?uncertainty and fear over yet another 25,000 acres of homes, farms, and ranches in Cleveland and ?McClain Counties. Once again, thousands of Oklahomans are being forced to live under the ?looming threat of displacement, and without a clear, evidence-based justification.? "The OTA continues to operate in a way that undermines public trust. We are deeply concerned that ?this latest route announcement marks the beginning of another round of backroom deals made ?through the so-called 'right of way access' process. Since 2022, we have brought to light that this ?process is riddled with secrecy, devoid of transparency, and ripe for political favoritism. The last ?time a path was announced, we learned that well-connected individuals, including political figures, ?received disproportionately favorable deals when selling their land. That is unacceptable. "Today's event was just another opportunity for OTA to bully and traumatize the public. Let's be ?clear about a few things: OTA is not a state agency, and, therefore, they do not work for the people. ?They are a public trust with no trust from the public. These performative tactics they have ?displayed over the past three years are either solely for the benefit of a small group of people so ?that they can appear to be affable, or they are genuinely concerned over the public's opinion of ?them—which indicates a guilty conscience on their part. It is past time for them to stop trying to ?manipulate the narrative and listen to what their conscience is trying to tell them.? "We call on the leadership at the OTA, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and the ?Legislature to demand real transparency, real accountability, and a real public justification for this ?project. Until then, we stand with the people of Norman, Cleveland County, and McClain County ?who are once again being asked to bear the burden of a flawed and corrupt process."  — Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman -END-

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-