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
January 26, 2016 // Updated: May 2, 2019
If we try to solve our budget crisis by doubling down on budget cuts and one-time revenues, we will only inflict greater damage to our economy and to the well-being of Oklahomans. We can solve this crisis through a more balanced approach that includes new recurring revenues... Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
January 21, 2016 // Updated: December 2, 2022
Woolly-booger (or woolly-bugger) is a colloquialism used in Oklahoma and Louisiana politics referring to a provision snuck into legislation, usually in the waning hours or days of session, that is likely to be overlooked by all but a small handful… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
January 14, 2016 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Oklahoma Policy Institute is pleased to announce that Ryan Gentzler has joined the organization in a new policy analyst position that will focus on criminal justice issues. The position is funded through a grant from the Center on Budget and… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
January 12, 2016 // Updated: May 2, 2019
A new report by OK Policy finds that the cost of state income tax cuts since the mid-2000s has grown to over $1 billion annually. Repeated tax cuts and shrinking state budgets have left state services severely weakened, even before… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
January 1, 2016 // Updated: May 2, 2019
An earlier version of this post appeared in the Journal Record
Today, as Oklahomans gather together to enjoy the first day of the new year by watching Bowl Games, feasting on black-eyed peas, and nursing hangovers, two significant and seemingly… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
December 30, 2015 // Updated: December 30, 2015
As the end of the year approaches, you’re no doubt besieged by dozens of organizations that do good and important work pleading for a donation. While we too spend a lot of time telling our supporters why they should donate… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
December 28, 2015 // Updated: December 29, 2015
It’s been another busy and productive year for OK Policy. We organized a series of major events, including our 3rd Summer Policy Institute, 2nd State Budget Summit, and 1st Fall Pol workshop; added two new staffers, Tyler Parette and DeVon… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
December 23, 2015 // Updated: May 1, 2019
Today Finance Secretary Preston Doerflinger officially declared a revenue failure, triggering $176.9 million in cuts in agency allocations for the current budget year, FY 2016.
The revenue failure is the result of revenue collections coming in well below the official… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
December 21, 2015 // Updated: December 20, 2015
Our hard-working elves who stay up late and get up early to compile In the Know for you each day are taking a couple of weeks off to rest up and help spread holiday cheer. ITK will be back, refreshed… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
December 17, 2015 // Updated: May 2, 2019
This is the third of a three-part series appearing this week on the OK Policy Blog that examines the reasons behind Oklahoma’s teacher shortage and what we can do to fix it. You can read part one here and read… Read more [More...]
OKPOLICY.ORG
If we try to solve our budget crisis by doubling down on budget cuts and one-time revenues, we will only inflict greater damage to our economy and to the well-being of Oklahomans. We can solve this crisis through a more balanced approach that includes new recurring revenues... Read more [More...]
Oklahoma Policy Institute is pleased to announce that Ryan Gentzler has joined the organization in a new policy analyst position that will focus on criminal justice issues. The position is funded through a grant from the Center on Budget and… Read more [More...]
A new report by OK Policy finds that the cost of state income tax cuts since the mid-2000s has grown to over $1 billion annually. Repeated tax cuts and shrinking state budgets have left state services severely weakened, even before… Read more [More...]
An earlier version of this post appeared in the Journal Record
Today, as Oklahomans gather together to enjoy the first day of the new year by watching Bowl Games, feasting on black-eyed peas, and nursing hangovers, two significant and seemingly… Read more [More...]
As the end of the year approaches, you’re no doubt besieged by dozens of organizations that do good and important work pleading for a donation. While we too spend a lot of time telling our supporters why they should donate… Read more [More...]
It’s been another busy and productive year for OK Policy. We organized a series of major events, including our 3rd Summer Policy Institute, 2nd State Budget Summit, and 1st Fall Pol workshop; added two new staffers, Tyler Parette and DeVon… Read more [More...]
Today Finance Secretary Preston Doerflinger officially declared a revenue failure, triggering $176.9 million in cuts in agency allocations for the current budget year, FY 2016.
The revenue failure is the result of revenue collections coming in well below the official… Read more [More...]
Our hard-working elves who stay up late and get up early to compile In the Know for you each day are taking a couple of weeks off to rest up and help spread holiday cheer. ITK will be back, refreshed… Read more [More...]
This is the third of a three-part series appearing this week on the OK Policy Blog that examines the reasons behind Oklahoma’s teacher shortage and what we can do to fix it. You can read part one here and read… Read more [More...]
