News

Oklahoma Educator's Association member of the Educator's Caucus: Melissa Provenzano

I am honored to be identified as part of the Educator’s caucus by the OEA for 2018.

As an educator, I've worked tirelessly to ensure that the children of Tulsa have access to a well-rounded social and academic school-going experience. Developing in each student the skills and abilities that allow them to be successful in life beyond high school as career and college-ready citizens is crucial to our long-term success. It's time to expand that supportive leadership role to the citizens of Oklahoma

OKLAHOMABIZPAC BOARD ENDORSES MELISSA FOR JUNE PRIMARY

Melissa is proud to be endorsed in the primary by the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s affiliated OklahomaBizPac.

“The OklahomaBizPac board met with these candidates for three full days with interviews scheduled back to back,” said Jay Helm, chair of OklahomaBizPac and president of American Residential Group. “All those interviews showed us that the bar is raised this election cycle, and the candidates we’re endorsing are of the highest caliber. We are really excited to have these men and women serve the Tulsa region and Oklahoma as a whole.”
“We evaluated candidates based on a set of criteria that included their aptitude for leadership, strategic thinking and willingness to collaborate,” Helm said. “We also weighed each candidate’s alignment with the OneVoice Regional Legislative Agenda.”

Oklahoma Watch: When Women Run, Women Win.

"This year, there will be nearly four times as many women running for the same number of seats. And following a trend across the nation, women will be better represented on the ballot than in at least a decade – and likely ever. "

Tulsa World Candidate Review

"Provenzano was on the front lines of April’s statewide teacher walkout. The Democrat said she was inspired by how many people — parents, students, small business owners and faith leaders — cared about funding education."

“As I went and I stood on the Capitol lawns and on the street corner with my peers … (I realized) that education is not a Democratic or a Republican value, but that it is an Oklahoman value,” she said."

Mental Health in Tulsa County

1 in 7 Tulsa residents are living with mental illness, with a life expectancy that is 27 years shorter than their fellow Oklahomans. Those unable to afford adequate treatment and care often end up in Oklahoma jails and prisons, at an annual cost of $23,000 per person versus community-based treatment and outpatient care facilities at $2,000. Early intervention and prevention is the critical first step in working to reduce these alarming statistics. We can do better!