Latest news with #CyndiMunson
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ethics Commission approves campaign money for legislators to use for "reasonable expenses"
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted to allow legislators to use campaign money to cover personal security costs, a move that was prompted by the killing of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband in their home. The four commissioners unanimously voted to approve the proposal Thursday, Aug. 14. Campaign funds can cover "reasonable expenses for safety and security," such as security camera systems, motion detectors, cybersecurity software and monitoring services. Candidates cannot use campaign money to hire a security guard or security detail, purchase weapons or install complex, high-end equipment. Senate Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert as well as House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson and Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt brought the issue to the commission's attention through a letter July 11, and asked the commission to determine whether it was ethical to spend campaign funds on security expenses. "The tragic assassination of state Rep. Melissa Hortman by shooting at her home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, last month has emphasized to me the need to evaluate what can be done to prevent such an awful event from occurring in Oklahoma," the lawmakers said in their letter. Hortman, her husband Mark and their golden retriever were killed in the shooting. Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested and charged in relation to the shooting. Prosecutors say Boelter disguised himself as a law enforcement officer and also shot and wounded Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. Violence toward politicians has impacted officials across the political spectrum. President Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a 2024 campaign rally, and in April 2025, Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's home was set on fire while he and his family were asleep. A part of the discussion Thursday revolved around whether it was ethical for legislators to spend campaign money on hiring personal security guards. As part of the public comment, Kell Kelly said through a written public comment that he thinks lawmakers should be able to use campaign money to pay for security guards. Hilbert hired Kelly as his chief of staff in February. Vice Chair Commissioner Adam Weintraub said he did not see a reason why legislators would need a security detail outside of protection from law enforcement, which is provided at the Capitol and at some other public events. Previous Coverage: Can campaign funds be used for private security? OK leaders ask for clarification after Minnesota deaths Commission Executive Director Lee Ann Bruce Boone said that approving lawmakers to use campaign money for security guards would need to be approved by the Legislature. In a joint statement issued with other legislative leaders after the commission vote, Paxton said the ruling provides lawmakers "a clear, ethical pathway to address credible threats that arise solely because they hold public office." "It's a commonsense step that will allow us to serve the people of Oklahoma without compromising our safety and security,' he said. Hilbert said the ruling helps lawmakers and ensures campaign finance transparency. "No candidate or official should fear for their life when serving the public," Hilbert said in the joint statement. Kirt and Munson also expressed support for the commission's ruling and noted how the assassinations in Minnesota pushed the issue of legislator safety to the forefront. 'Violence should never be part of our democratic process, but what happened in Minnesota this summer reminded us all that public service can come with risk to elected officials and their loved ones," Kirt said. Munson added: 'When we are unencumbered by threats made to our personal security, we can ensure a better, more prosperous future for everyone.' This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma lawmakers will be able to use campaign money for security Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Veto overrides could be on the way during final week of legislative session
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – With only one week left in the Oklahoma legislative session, lawmakers will be down to the wire to wrap up business by the end of day on May 30. There have been talks swirling at the State Capitol about possible veto overrides during the final days of session. Governor Kevin Stitt has turned down an overwhelming 49 bills so far. Last year, he vetoed only 26. Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) said he has already started conversations with legislators whose bills were vetoed about possible reversals.'The speaker and I will meet with the governor and go with all these requests with the Governor,' said Paxton. 'Just out of that, as a professional courtesy, (I will) let him know what we are considering.' Stitt surprised many lawmakers with his veto of House Bill 1389. It would have required insurance companies to cover additional screenings for mammograms. It was unanimously passed in the House.'That one's probably top of mind. The most important bill that I'd like to see on the override list,' said Minority Leader Rep. Cyndi Munson (D-Oklahoma City). The bill was authored by Rep. Melissa Provenzano (D-Tulsa). She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and said she had talked to patients who could not afford expensive follow-up tests. 'We've heard from lots of constituents who need those kinds of scans that the insurance has been making them pay cash for and we want to make sure people get that scan if they need it,' said Senator Julia Kirt (D-Oklahoma City). Lawmakers pass Reindustrialize Oklahoma Act to help fund aluminum smelting plant Governor Stitt released a statement after he vetoed the bill. 'This legislation imposes new and costly insurance mandates on private health plans that will ultimately raise insurance premiums,' said Stitt. Another bill that has received overwhelming support from both sides was House Bill 1137. It would eliminate the need for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations to ask for federal funding for its Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons unit. The bill was backed by law enforcement and Tribes across the gave his reason for using his veto power on the bill. 'Every missing person – regardless of race or background – deserves equal attention and urgency,' said Stitt. The Governor also vetoed House Bill 2048 that would have allowed rural hospitals and health centers to have more pharmacy options. Two republican lawmakers spoke out about the move; Senator Brent Howard (R-Altus) and Rep. Preston Stinson (R-Edmond) said the bill was beneficial for uninsured and low-income Oklahomans. 'Out-of-state and foreign drug companies and the dark money interests working for them successfully derailed the most important legislation introduced this year to help the health care providers who serve our most vulnerable communities. By lobbying for a veto of House Bill 2048, these deep-pocketed interest groups effectively undermined protections for essential medical services, including cancer treatments and obstetrical care, across our state,' said Howard and Stinson, in a joint statement. If lawmakers were to override any of Stitt's vetoes, they would need to be voted on by both the full House and Senate by the end of session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House Democrat leader announces run for Oklahoma governor
House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, announces herself as a candidate for Oklahoma governor in the 2026 election on Tuesday outside the state Capitol. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — Democrat House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson announced she'll run for governor in 2026 during a campaign event outside the state Capitol Tuesday. Munson, 39, of Oklahoma City, was first elected to the Oklahoma House in 2015 as the first Asian-American woman in the state Legislature. She said she will continue to serve in her role as House Minority Leader until her term ends in 2026. 'I'm going to spend the next year-and-a-half traveling our beautiful state, listening to people and asking them what's important to them,' she said. 'I want to know what they love about Oklahoma and what they think we can do better, because that is what this campaign is about, the people of our great state, and that is what I will carry with me as your next governor.' She filed paperwork with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission on Monday. Munson is the only Democrat to announce a bid for governor during the 2026 election cycle thus far, but already faces opposition from a crowded Republican field that includes Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former House Speaker Charles McCall, former state Sen. Mike Mazzei, and Leisa Mitchell Haynes of Choctaw. Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, cannot run again due to term limits. She said she was the first Democrat to flip her seat from Republican, and plans to use the same strategy of listening to Oklahomans regardless of their political affiliation in her campaign for governor. 'I know I'm not what you would call a typical candidate for governor. I work for a living, I pay my student loans, I rent my house, and I know what it is like to live within a budget,' she said. 'I feel the pressure of rising costs of our daily necessities. I don't come from a wealthy family. I'm not beholden to any political party. I'm not an extremist. I have a proven track record of working across the aisle to get things done and won't pander to Washington D.C. politicians who only want to continue deepening our political divide. And as your next governor, I will fight for the things that will help everyday Oklahomans.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrat Cyndi Munson announces bid for Oklahoma governor against growing field of Republicans
Oklahoma's gubernatorial race drew its first Democrat on Tuesday when state Rep. Cyndi Munson, the minority leader in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, announced she was seeking the post. Munson, 39, joins four Republicans seeking the post, including former state Sen. Mike Mazzei, Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former House Speaker Charles McCall and businesswoman Leisa Mitchell Haynes. In an interview with The Oklahoman, Munson said she wanted to be governor to improve life for all Oklahomans. The Oklahoma City lawmaker said she believed the 2026 governor's race should be about the issues facing people in Oklahoma and not just federal politics. "I think economic challenges are going to prevail," she said. "Those are still going to be concerns for Oklahomans. And I think they (state residents) are ready to hear from a normal Oklahoman who understands living paycheck to paycheck." More: McCall, others announced their 2026 bid for Oklahoma governor: Who's running? What to know More: Despite tweet from governor, state Democrats and Republicans tout cooperating on lawmaking She said she believes state voters have been frightened by how politicized both state and national issues have become. "With everything that is happening on the federal level there is so much uncertainty," she said. "What you see happening on the state government right now, almost every statewide leader is vying for the president's attention and looking at national politics versus listening to what Oklahomans have to say." Munson said cultural war issues have sidelined more important issues such as increasing teacher pay and making college more affordable. Munson said she also wants to address the state's infrastructure needs and improve roads and highways. "I've spent way too much money on car tires," she said. As one of the younger candidates in the contest, Munson, who turns 40 in May, said she's ready for the hard work. She said she was good at building relationships and connecting with people with different ideas. "You have to sometimes put some of your differences away and figure out where you have common ground," she said. "I think I have been able to do that. I get it that there will be moments where they (Republicans) want to fight me. But they fight the current governor who is in their party right now — that's not unusual." Munson faces several serious challenges to become governor. The last time Oklahomans elected a Democratic governor was in 2006, when voters reelected then-Gov. Brad Henry to a second term. Republicans have held a majority in the Oklahoma Legislature for more than 20 years. Currently, Democrats hold 20 seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives to the GOP's 81. In the state Senate, Democrats hold eight seats to the Republicans' 40. Those numbers, however, don't worry Munson. Munson said she was ready for the fight. "I love a challenge," she said. "In a state like Oklahoma where people think that Democrats can't win or can't retain their seats or that they have no resources or no infrastructure — we can overcome those challenges and make a way and hopefully change some minds throughout the country." Oklahomans will return to the polls next year to decide the state's next governor. The primary election is scheduled for June 16, 2026, with the general election set for Nov. 23, 2026. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Democrat Cyndi Munson will run for Oklahoma governor in 2026
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers react as OSDE seeks supplier of bible lessons for elementary schools
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The State Department of Education is now looking for suppliers to get bible lessons in Oklahoma elementary school curriculum, per a recent request for proposal from the department. 'The state superintendent is focused on anything and everything but what our constituents are asking of us when it comes to public education,' Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said. LOCAL NEWS: OSDE looking to buy Bible lessons for Oklahoma elementary students 'Monday School should never be Sunday school. That's something that should be taught at home,' Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City, said. That was the reaction from House Democrats Monday after the proposal was stated as posted Friday. It's a continued push from the State Dept. of Education since Walters took office with this one being a search for suppliers of lessons that bring the bible and character education into elementary school classrooms. 'You can be offended by Christianity. You can not agree with Christianity,' Walters said. 'But that doesn't give you the right to take Christianity out of American history, and that's what we've seen the left do. We have been very specific. The Bible is there for its historical context.' Per local publication Oklahoma Watch, they are seeking 'biblical content that demonstrates how biblical figures influenced the United States.' KFOR reached out to the department for more specific information on the proposal, but were told they did not want to comment at this time. Lawmakers on the opposite side of the aisle cited a direct violation of the state constitution. LOCAL NEWS: Teacher pay raise bill moves forward in Senate 'The Oklahoma Constitution says Article one, Section five, that public schools shall be free from sectarian control,' Fugate said. 'I don't see how you can look at the constitution and reconcile that with a request for biblical lessons for classrooms.' They also cite going against a direct vote of the people. In 2016, the state voted against using public funds for religious purposes. 'Oklahomans have been loud and clear that they do not want public dollars going to any private or religious entities or curriculum or Bibles,' Munson said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
