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
February 20, 2017 // Updated: March 3, 2017
Even while policymakers scramble to find ways to address the state’s continued budget crisis, expanding tax credits that primarily benefit low- and moderate income working families and seniors should be part of the tax policy discussion. Lawmakers should undo last… Read more [More...]
In her 2017 State of the State address, Gov. Mary Fallin called for the elimination of the state sales tax on groceries, saying that “this plan eliminates the most regressive tax on the books today.”
It’s widely accepted that taxing… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
February 15, 2017 // Updated: March 3, 2017
In Oklahoma, deferred deposit loans, better known as payday loans, are advertised as a way for people to get emergency funds for a short-term loan. In practice, these loans prey on low-income borrowers by charging annual interest rates over 350… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
February 14, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
One certainty about the 2017 legislative session is that tax breaks for the wind industry are going to be a prime target for lawmakers looking for ways to address the state’s short-term budget gap and long-term structural budget deficit. Close… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
February 13, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Ten states, including Oklahoma, have enacted tax cuts in recent years that are deferred to a future date based on state revenues reaching a certain level or rate of growth. A new report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities,… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
February 8, 2017 // Updated: February 9, 2017
CONTACT: David Blatt, Executive Director, Oklahoma Policy Institute, 918-794-3944
Obscure, fast-track law would stop CFPB prepaid card rule, impacting more than 200,000 Oklahoma households.
Tulsa, OK – February 7, 2017 – Today, Oklahoma Policy Institute called on U.S. Senator James… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
February 6, 2017 // Updated: May 1, 2019
Today is the first day of the 2017 legislative session. Governor Mary Fallin will kick things off with her State of the State address in the House chambers beginning at noon. You can follow her speech online here. Governor Fallin… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
January 3, 2017 // Updated: May 1, 2019
In late December, the State Equalization Board met and approved a preliminary estimate of state revenues for the upcoming budget year, FY 2018. This estimate will be the basis of Governor Fallin’s Executive Budget, to be released on the first day… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
December 27, 2016 // Updated: December 27, 2016
At this time of year, lots of terrific organizations are offering you compelling reasons to donate to them. We have developed a contrarian tradition of trying to convince you why you should NOT donate to OK Policy. Here are five… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
December 21, 2016 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Oklahoma Policy Institute issued the following statement after the State Equalization Board certified $869 million less for next year’s budget than this year’s authorized budget:
As we enter the holiday season, Oklahomans today learned that the state faces a budget… Read more [More...]
OKPOLICY.ORG
In her 2017 State of the State address, Gov. Mary Fallin called for the elimination of the state sales tax on groceries, saying that “this plan eliminates the most regressive tax on the books today.”
It’s widely accepted that taxing… Read more [More...]
One certainty about the 2017 legislative session is that tax breaks for the wind industry are going to be a prime target for lawmakers looking for ways to address the state’s short-term budget gap and long-term structural budget deficit. Close… Read more [More...]
Ten states, including Oklahoma, have enacted tax cuts in recent years that are deferred to a future date based on state revenues reaching a certain level or rate of growth. A new report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities,… Read more [More...]
Today is the first day of the 2017 legislative session. Governor Mary Fallin will kick things off with her State of the State address in the House chambers beginning at noon. You can follow her speech online here. Governor Fallin… Read more [More...]
In late December, the State Equalization Board met and approved a preliminary estimate of state revenues for the upcoming budget year, FY 2018. This estimate will be the basis of Governor Fallin’s Executive Budget, to be released on the first day… Read more [More...]
At this time of year, lots of terrific organizations are offering you compelling reasons to donate to them. We have developed a contrarian tradition of trying to convince you why you should NOT donate to OK Policy. Here are five… Read more [More...]
