Representative Trish Ranson

D

District 34

Hi, I'm Trish Ranson and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 34th District.


representative

Leadership

Minority Caucus Chair

59th Legislature

Minority Caucus Chair

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Oct 21, 2025

Ranson holds study on Establishing Department of Early Childhood

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, held an Interim Study on Establishing a Department of Early Childhood in Oklahoma in front of the Appropriations and Budget Health Subcommittee. The study explored the challenges currently facing Oklahoma when it comes to early childhood education and support services, other state’s models of early childhood departments, and realistic policy solutions. “The successes of other states in creating an early childhood department is inspiring,” said Ranson. I believe we can build on their successes to create a Department for Early Childhood for Oklahoma children and families that balance family-centered services with data-driven outcomes.” It featured presentations from Director Regina Birchum with the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency to examine current early childhood structures in place in Oklahoma, Carrie Williams with Oklahoma Partnership for School readiness to discuss early childhood systems that strengthen families and prepare children for school, Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky with the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department, Director Kara B. Wente with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, Becca Hanlin Listik with Prenatal-to-3 Impact Center, and Rob Grunewald, an Economics and Public Policy Consultant to discuss realistic policy-driven solutions. The study found that there is a growing health and mental health crisis in Oklahoma especially for women and children. Over half of Oklahoma counties are healthcare deserts, only 21 out of 77 have full access to healthcare. It also showed that 13 states in the nation have developed early childhood focused departments, specifically analyzing those in blue and red states such as New Mexico and Ohio. The study concluded that with the consolidation of early childcare programs, understanding of the timeline and investment sustainability needs, and examination of models in other states that Oklahoma could create a department of early childhood that would reflect the needs of Oklahoma families and providers. The entire study can be viewed on the  Oklahoma House of Representatives Website. -END-

Oct 7, 2025

Ranson named Women In Government State Director

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, was named a Women In Government State Director for Oklahoma. As a State Director, Ranson will communicate with Women In Government on current, critical policy issues in Oklahoma and amplify the work of women lawmakers across the nation. “This is an organization that I love, the bipartisan collaboration of women legislators across the United States is what makes this group like no other and I am honored to serve Oklahoma as its newest State Director,” said Ranson. Women In Government fills a maximum of 4 State Director positions in every state with varying party and chamber affiliations that allow lawmakers to collaborate on policy issues and work toward statewide solutions. -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-