Former Executive Director David Blatt joined OK Policy in 2008 and served as its Executive Director from 2010 to 2019. He previously served as Director of Public Policy for Community Action Project of Tulsa County and as a budget analyst for the Oklahoma State Senate. He has a Ph.D. in political science from Cornell University and a B.A. from the University of Alberta. David has been selected as Political Scientist of the Year by the Oklahoma Political Science Association, Local Social Justice Champion by the Dan Allen Center for Social Justice, and Public Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers.
By: David Blatt
September 26, 2017 // Updated: September 28, 2017
HB 1093 would require the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to subject SoonerCare members to enhanced verification procedures to determine eligibility for benefits.
HB 1093 would require intensive quarterly eligibility verification for most Medicaid members and applications, and require new applicants… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
September 12, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
“The purpose and intent of State Question 640 is now eviscerated…” So declared Oklahoma Chief Justice Douglas Combs in a dissent to last month’s 5-4 Supreme Court decision upholding a new state law that partially removed a tax exemption on… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
September 11, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
If we want to make sure every Oklahoman has the chance to become a productive, healthy adult, then preventing teen pregnancies is one of the most important things we can do. While some teen mothers and their children manage to beat… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
August 24, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Another national report is calling attention to Oklahoma’s drastic cuts to funding for colleges and universities in recent years. At a time when a college education has never been more critical for individual prosperity and state economic development, funding decisions… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
August 14, 2017 // Updated: May 1, 2019
Last week’s Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down a $1.50 per-package smoking cessation fee passed by lawmakers in May has created a genuine state emergency. Without quick and decisive action, Oklahoma faces unimaginable cuts to health care and other protections… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
August 10, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
NOTE: This post was written prior to the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the smoking cessation fee included in SB 845. Click here for the Court’s decision. Here is the statement from the Save Our State coalition, of which OK… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
August 3, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Note: This post originally ran in August 2016.
This weekend, many Oklahomans will flock to the stores to take advantage of the state’s annual three-day sales tax holiday weekend. Since 2007, shoppers are allowed to buy clothing items under $100… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
June 6, 2017 // Updated: May 1, 2019
When Governor Mary Fallin delivered her State of the State address in February, she made a strong call for lawmakers to end the practice of balancing the state budget through the use of one-time revenues, saying:
Oklahoma will continue to… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
May 25, 2017 // Updated: May 1, 2019
Note: This post was updated May 28th to reflect current information. The General Appropriation bill passed the Legislature and is awaiting action from Gov. Fallin.
After months of wrangling and stalled negotiations, legislative leaders finally introduced budget bills late Tuesday… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
May 22, 2017 // Updated: August 17, 2023
The Oklahoma Constitution (Article V, Section 33) sets the following conditions on revenue bills:
A. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives. The Senate may propose amendments to revenue bills.
B. No revenue bill shall… Read more [More...]