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
August 2, 2018 // Updated: December 19, 2019
Several months ago, we wrote about this year’s Oklahoma elections following the candidate filing period. Based on the unusually high numbers of open seats, candidates filing for office, and challenges to incumbents, it already looked as if 2018 could be… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
May 23, 2018 // Updated: May 2, 2019
In late March, on the eve of an anticipated teacher walk-out, Oklahoma lawmakers approved a series of bills intended to provide pay raises for teachers, school support staff, and state employees. To pay for the raises, lawmakers approved a number… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
May 22, 2018 // Updated: October 4, 2024
A capital gain is a rise in the value of a capital asset (investment or real estate) that gives it a higher worth than the purchase price. The gain is not realized until the asset is sold. Capital gains income… Read more [More...]
Under federal and Oklahoma tax law, the standard deduction is a dollar amount that taxpayers who do not claim itemized deductions may subtract from their income before income tax is applied. Taxpayers may choose either itemized deductions or the standard… Read more [More...]
The Health Care Enhancement Fund was created by HB 1016xx in the 2017-18 second special session. Beginning July 1, 2019, all revenues from the $1 per-pack increase in the cigarette tax passed under HB 1010xx are deposited in the Health… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
May 10, 2018 // Updated: May 2, 2019
The filing period for the 2018 elections concluded on April 13th, one day after the Oklahoma Education Association announced the end to the two-week teacher walkout that brought tens of thousands of educators and their supporters to the Capitol on… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
May 8, 2018 // Updated: September 1, 2024
The line-item veto is a power enjoyed by Oklahoma’s Governor that allows him or her to veto one or more sections of an appropriations bill. Line-item vetoes, like regular vetoes, can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of both chambers… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
May 2, 2018 // Updated: May 1, 2019
In the 1960s, the New York City poet and folksinger Richard Fariña published a novel titled “Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me.” This title certainly applies to Oklahoma’s FY 2019 state budget, approved by the House… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
April 30, 2018 // Updated: August 2, 2023
A bill that passes both chambers in its final form is enrolled. It is then sent to the Governor. Bills that pass one chamber are engrossed.
To find the enrolled version of a bill, go to the Legislature’s website, click… Read more [More...]
In 2016, the Legislature created a new budget reserve fund, the Revenue Stabilization Fund (RSF), which is designed to grow in years when collections from the state’s most volatile revenue sources are coming in above recent averages.
Every February the… Read more [More...]