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 28, 2018 // Updated: May 1, 2019
Earlier this month, HB 1033xx, the main revenue measure based on proposals from the Step Up Oklahoma coalition, failed to gain the three-quarters support in the House needed to pass a revenue bill. Unlike a similar measure that failed in… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
February 22, 2018 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Miami Public Schools in Ottawa County serves about 2,500 K-12 students in seven schools. This year, four school librarian positions were eliminated, leaving the district without a single librarian.
In Newkirk, there is no librarian and no speech or drama… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
January 24, 2018 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Note: This post was edited on Jan. 28th to reflect updated revenue estimates from the Step Up coalition
The new Step Up Oklahoma coalition, a bipartisan group of business and civic leaders and organizations, has put forward a comprehensive plan… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
January 4, 2018 // Updated: May 1, 2019
For the first time in four years, lawmakers may begin the 2018 session with more money to appropriate than the year before. This is undeniably good news, coming after multiple sessions when lawmakers started the year with shortfalls ranging from… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
January 2, 2018 // Updated: June 14, 2021
Oklahoma Policy Institute is excited to announce the appointment of three new members to our Board of Directors – Kara Berst of Ada, Dr. Jason Kirksey of Stillwater, and Erika Lucas of Oklahoma City.
“Kara, Jason, and Erika are all successful… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
December 27, 2017 // Updated: December 27, 2017
We know there are many worthy organizations and causes reaching out to you this time of year asking for support. Whether you are a first-time donor or long-time supporter, here are 5 reasons to make a tax-deductible donation to Oklahoma… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
December 25, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
This fall, the US Department of Agriculture released its annual report on household food security, which measures the share of households who don’t have enough food to lead an active, healthy life in the last year. For the three-year period… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
December 21, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Tax breaks for the oil and gas industry will continue to cost Oklahoma close to $400 million this year and next, based on new data from the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
At the December Board of Equalization meeting, the Tax Commission… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
December 11, 2017 // Updated: May 1, 2019
For eight long weeks this fall, Oklahoma lawmakers met in special session, trying to produce a budget agreement that would fill an immediate funding hole for three state agencies and produce a longer-term solution to continuing budget shortfalls. That attempt… Read more [More...]
By: David Blatt
November 29, 2017 // Updated: May 2, 2019
The United States Senate is poised to vote as early as this week on a major tax overhaul bill. Although tax reform is the highest priority of Congressional Republicans and the White House, crafting legislation capable of securing a 51-vote… Read more [More...]