Recent Articles

Now Hiring: Outreach & Legislative Liaison

Are you an experienced advocate committed to expanding opportunity and social justice for all Oklahomans? You could join our growing team at Oklahoma Policy Institute as an Outreach & Legislative Liaison. The new hire will report to OK Policy’s Outreach… Read more [More...]

Meet OK Policy: Policy Director Carly Putnam

Oklahoma Policy Institute has grown a lot in the past few years. From humble beginnings in 2008, we now have a staff of 19, including talented individuals who focus on a wide range of policy issues, intensive data analysis, outreach,… Read more [More...]

Bill Watch: We have a budget

On Wednesday, Republican leaders announced they had reached agreement on an $8.3 billion state budget. That budget was approved in House and Senate committees yesterday and should go to final vote in both chambers today and early next week. [More...]

Statement: Budget deal brings welcome progress but many missed opportunities

Oklahoma Policy Institute Executive Director David Blatt released the following statement on the budget deal announced today by state lawmakers: As a result of last year’s revenue increases and a continuing strong economy, lawmakers had a historic opportunity to reverse… Read more [More...]

“Health coverage expansion saved my life.”

Watch the video to hear Steve's story, and then tell your lawmakers to bring our federal tax dollars back home to Oklahoma. Legislators and Governor Stitt still have time to do the right thing this session. [More...]

Bill Watch: End of legislative session is in sight

Yesterday Governor Stitt announced that he expects to have a budget deal by early next week — an event which typically signals that the legislative session is coming to an end. Lawmakers must adjourn by May 31st, but they can adjourn sooner. We expect the 24th, two weeks from today, to be a likely last day for this year's Legislature. [More...]

OK Policy adds leading budget expert to policy team

Oklahoma Policy Institute today announced that Paul Shinn, a budget expert whose work has included extensive leadership roles in Oklahoma state and local government budget offices, will be joining the organization as a Senior Policy Analyst. "I couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Paul Shinn as a full-time member of our staff," said David Blatt, OK Policy's Executive Director. "Nobody in the state has greater first-hand knowledge of budget issues than Paul, and he is also widely respected for his integrity, professionalism, and work ethic." [More...]

Bill Watch: JCAB is now the room where it happens

Last week marked another major deadline for this year's Legislature. Bills had until last Thursday to pass the full chamber opposite from where they originated. [More...]

Bill Watch: Best laid plans often go awry

On the eve of the last regular committee deadline for many bills, some legislation appears to have been derailed by feuding between the House and Senate. These bills might still be saved by some creative reinterpretation of legislative rules, but it's a reminder that we can't take a smooth process for granted, even in a Legislature dominated by one party. [More...]

Bill Watch: Beware the Ides of April

We have one week to go before the next big deadline in the Legislature. Legislative committees have until Thursday, April 11th for bills from the opposite chamber. Those that don't receive a vote by the deadline will go dormant until next year. [More...]