Marking 30 Years Since the Murrah Bombing

On the latest episode of Your Vote Counts, host Scott Mitchell was joined by Senator Blake “Cowboy” Stephens and Representative Melissa Provenzano to reflect on the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. The lawmakers discussed how the tragedy shaped the state and reinforced a culture of compassion known as the “Oklahoma Standard.”

Related: The Oklahoma Standard: A legacy of resilience in the face of tragedy and disaster

Representative Provenzano emphasized the importance of carrying forward the lessons learned from that day. “The bombing was born out of contempt,” Provenzano said, “and we’ve seen too much of that in today’s world.” Senator Stephens echoed the sentiment, stressing that the Oklahoma Standard—service, honor, and kindness—remains strong and must be passed on to future generations. He noted that the Senate read aloud the names of all 168 victims on the chamber floor to honor their memory.

Related: Silence for the fallen: Remembering the victims of April 19, 1995

Gubernatorial Race Gains Steam

The conversation shifted to state politics as Representative Cyndi Munson, the House Minority Leader, officially joined the 2026 gubernatorial race. Provenzano praised Munson’s communication skills and said her candidacy offers voters a meaningful choice after eight years of Republican leadership. Stephens acknowledged Munson’s entry but remained confident that Oklahomans are seeking conservative leadership aligned with priorities like protecting the Second Amendment, reducing wasteful spending, and securing the southern border.

Related: Oklahoma House Rep. Cyndi Munson announces run for governor

Mental Health Department Under Fire

Lawmakers also addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, now the subject of four separate investigations. These include inquiries from the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency, the House, the state auditor, and the governor’s office.

Related: Oklahoma House launches special investigation into Mental Health Department finances

Senator Stephens stressed the importance of determining whether the department’s issues stem from mismanagement or criminal behavior. “At the end of the day, we know mental health services are critical to Oklahoma,” Stephens said, “I believe that Oklahomans, especially Oklahoma taxpayers, want to make sure that their dollars are being used wisely.” Provenzano added that conflicting messages and a lack of transparency have created fear and confusion about access to care.

Legislative Deadlines and Hot Topics

As the session nears its conclusion in May, legislators are preparing for final budget negotiations and weighing major policy proposals. Provenzano voiced concern over Senate Bill 1027, which would restrict citizen-led ballot initiatives—mechanisms that have historically enabled Oklahomans to vote directly on important reforms, such as Medicaid expansion and term limits.

Related: Bill changing Oklahoma petitioning process moves to full House of Representatives vote

Stephens highlighted the constitutional requirement for a balanced budget and praised House and Senate leadership for working together productively. He also noted that tax cut proposals are being debated, and praised new leadership for setting a collaborative tone this session.