Author: Dave Hamby

Dave Hamby // dhamby@okpolicy.org

A fourth generation Oklahoman from Pawhuska, Dave Hamby has more than three decades of award-winning communications experience, including for Oklahoma higher education institutions and business organizations. Before joining OK Policy, he oversaw external communications for Rogers State University and The University of Tulsa. He also has worked for Oklahoma State University and the Chamber of Commerce in Fort Smith, Arkansas. A graduate of OSU's journalism program, he was a newspaper reporter at the Southwest Times Record in Fort Smith. Dave joined OK Policy in October 2019.

Recent Articles

In The Know: State Senate releases interim study list | Trump signs megabill that slashes taxes, Medicaid while boosting national debt | Passage of federal megabill is shameful moment

By: Dave Hamby
July 7, 2025 // Updated: July 7, 2025
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Youth justice recap during this #okleg session | Protests get likes; voting gets results | Cash bail doesn’t make us safer, but pretrial reform can

By: Dave Hamby
June 28, 2025 // Updated: June 28, 2025
What’s up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In… Read more [More...]

In The Know: What children in poverty could lose from the federal budget bill | Oklahoma’s energy demand to grow at ‘unprecedented’ rate | One step forward for youth this #okleg session, two steps back on investment

By: Dave Hamby
June 23, 2025 // Updated: June 23, 2025
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Oklahoma’s unsustainable budget | A not terrible year for justice reform | Medicaid cuts will endanger lives of Oklahomans

By: Dave Hamby
June 21, 2025 // Updated: June 21, 2025
What’s up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Medicaid cuts will endanger the lives of Oklahomans | #okleg tax cuts now will create crisis later | Both sides claim victory after state Supreme Court ruling on meaning of House Bill 1775

By: Dave Hamby
June 20, 2025 // Updated: June 20, 2025
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Thousands of Oklahomans peacefully protest during ‘No Kings’ rallies | A look at criminal justice policy this session | Federal budget bill takes health insurance, makes it more costly

By: Dave Hamby
June 16, 2025 // Updated: June 16, 2025
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Legal challenges filed against bill limiting initiative petition process | ‘No Kings’ events during DC parade this weekend | Oklahomans should be watching immigration raid protests with concern

By: Dave Hamby
June 13, 2025 // Updated: June 13, 2025
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the… Read more [More...]

In The Know: New report ranks Oklahoma 46th for child well-being | State collects less than 8% of millions owed by ineligible private school tax credit recipients | More

By: Dave Hamby
June 9, 2025 // Updated: June 9, 2025
0IN The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma ranks 46th in 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, highlighting lawmakers’ misplaced priorities

By: Dave Hamby
// Updated: June 9, 2025
New report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation finds Oklahoma remained among the worst states for child well-being, reflecting the failure of state leaders to invest in a better future for our children. • 2025 KIDS COUNT® Data Book •… Read more [More...]

In The Know: State faces deadline to fix broken mental health system | #okleg missed opportunities to address housing crisis | New ballot initiative law priced democracy out of your reach

By: Dave Hamby
June 6, 2025 // Updated: June 6, 2025
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the… Read more [More...]