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: Which new laws take effect Nov. 1? | Report shows Oklahoma enacted one of the five biggest tax cuts for millionaires in 2025 | USDA won’t shuffle funds to extend SNAP during shutdown

By: Dave Hamby
October 27, 2025 // Updated: October 27, 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...]

New Report: Oklahoma enacted one of the five biggest tax cuts for millionaires in 2025

By: Dave Hamby
October 26, 2025 // Updated: October 26, 2025
Contact: Dave Hamby (Oklahoma Policy Institute) dhamby@okpolicy.org or Jon Whiten (ITEP) jon@itep.org Oklahoma lawmakers this year passed an income tax cut that, when fully implemented, will be one of the nation’s most significant income tax cuts for millionaires, according to… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Gov. says state won’t ‘stand by’ amid federal shutdown | State ed. board approves $4 billion budget request | How the not-so-beautiful bill will push eligible Oklahomans off SoonerCare

By: Dave Hamby
October 24, 2025 // Updated: October 27, 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: Oklahomans gather for ‘No Kings’ protest | Mental health department still in troubled waters, interim chief says | U.S. Supreme Court, federal courts to run out of money, limit operations amid shutdown

By: Dave Hamby
October 20, 2025 // Updated: October 21, 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: Records show state ed. dept. gave federal funds to ineligible religious schools | Oklahoma needs Congressional leaders during government shutdown | State representative’s office searched as part of ethics probe

By: Dave Hamby
October 17, 2025 // Updated: October 17, 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: Mental health dept. budget request includes millions more in funding | New report projects no end to toll road collections in Oklahoma | States might not get repaid when government reopens

By: Dave Hamby
October 13, 2025 // Updated: October 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...]

Weekly Wonk: Eliminating property taxes would devastate crucial local services | Oklahoma’s mental health system is at a crossroad | Indigenous Peoples Day should remind us that we’re stronger together

By: Dave Hamby
October 11, 2025 // Updated: October 11, 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: Gov. Stitt objects to Texas troops in Illinois | ‘Turning education around’: Fields, OSBE work to clear backlog in first meeting post-Walters | Eliminating Oklahoma property taxes would devastate crucial local services

By: Dave Hamby
October 10, 2025 // Updated: October 10, 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: Federal budget uncertainty complicates road, bridge projects | Supreme Court declines to take up tribal jurisdiction case involving gov.’s brother | The challenge of reforming Oklahoma’s property tax

By: Dave Hamby
October 7, 2025 // Updated: October 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...]

In The Know: Report finds nearly half of Oklahoma households can’t afford basic needs | Oklahomans should expect higher electricity bills | Operation SAFE in Tulsa cost state $545,680 | State signs $100 million contract to house detained migrants in Watonga correctional facility

By: Dave Hamby
October 6, 2025 // Updated: October 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...]