From the Classroom to the Capitol (with Rep. Trish Ranson)

The Ellens* visit with Rep. Trish Ranson, a former elementary music teacher turned Oklahoma representative and current caucus chair, as she shares how the 2018 teacher walkout sparked her run for office and how her focus has expanded from education into health, mental health, childcare, and higher ed. She discusses HB 1979, a proposed early childhood task force aimed at consolidating 19 programs across six agencies into a single, navigable system to reduce duplication and improve outcomes, including stronger connections to programs like SoonerStart. Ranson also explains what the caucus chair role entails, highlights her “People, Politics and Pints” civics nights, and reflects on a hectic session where budget limits bills and GA bills are out of sync, making the process difficult for lawmakers and nearly impossible for the public.