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
May 9, 2012 // Updated: May 2, 2019
A poll released today by the Oklahoma Advocacy Project reveals strong opposition among Oklahomans to proposals for reducing and eliminating the state income tax. The poll finds that large majorities oppose a tax cut if it means less funding for… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
May 2, 2012 // Updated: May 1, 2019
This article appeared in the April 2012 edition of the Oklahoma Economic Report, a publication of the Office of State Treasurer Ken Miller. It is reprinted here in its entirety with permission.
It seems that each day brings another story… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
April 26, 2012 // Updated: May 2, 2019
What is the best course for strengthening Oklahoma’s economy and providing broad-based benefits for Oklahoma families?
Proponents of cutting or eliminating the state’s personal income tax claim that doing so will boost the state’s economy. However, as University of Oklahoma… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
April 24, 2012 // Updated: May 2, 2019
[NOTE: This post has been corrected to fix an error in the units used when describing the price of oil.]
Despite frequent claims by proponents of cutting or eliminating Oklahoma’s personal income tax , it is a myth that tax… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
April 17, 2012 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Stephen Ellis, Ph.D., is Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Oklahoma. His research areas include philosophy of economics, decision theory, philosophy of mind and ethics.
The debate about the degree to which economics supports drastic… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
April 13, 2012 // Updated: May 2, 2019
As the income tax filing deadline approaches, we return to a favorite blog post from our friend Paul Shinn that we first ran in 2009. You may also enjoy this video tribute to the many things we can be thankful… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
April 12, 2012 // Updated: May 1, 2019
Over the past two years, Oklahoma’s revenue collections have been on a steady path to recovery. For the first nine months of FY 2012, collections to the General Revenue fund (GR) are up 22 percent compared to the same period… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
April 11, 2012 // Updated: May 1, 2019
In a recent editorial, the Tulsa World questioned the call that is frequently heard to ‘right-size’ state government. After three successive years of deep cuts to public services, the editorial asked ‘where does it end?’:
But how do we define… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
April 9, 2012 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Ken Fergesen, a resident of Altus, is Chairman of NBC Oklahoma, and is active in banking, farming, civic, social and cultural organizations.. He is a past President of the State Chamber of Commerce.
I am really concerned about our State. … Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
April 5, 2012 // Updated: May 2, 2019
The income tax has been the top subject of debate this legislative session. Governor Fallin and some legislative leaders have promoted “bold proposals” to cut, and ultimately repeal, the state personal income tax.Yet after three straight years of budget cuts,… Read more [More...]