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: Eviction filings push children into chronic absenteeism, academic failure | Oklahoma officials discuss data center pushback, social media hate | Trump’s DOJ lays groundwork to undermine confidence in midterms

By: Dave Hamby
March 16, 2026 // Updated: March 16, 2026
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: Oklahoma could collect $175M annually from federal immigration enforcement agreements | House rejects workplace ‘zero-tolerance’ expansion for medical marijuana | Stitt meets with president as he mulls Senate pick

By: Dave Hamby
March 13, 2026 // Updated: March 13, 2026
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: Oklahoma has the highest insurance rates, despite lower incomes | Judge denies governor’s request to intervene in city of Tulsa, Muscogee Nation lawsuit | Harold Hamm asked Stitt for Senate appointment

By: Dave Hamby
March 9, 2026 // Updated: March 9, 2026
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: Trump taps Markwayne Mullin for Secretary of Homeland Security | Open primaries state question fails to make it on to Oklahoma ballot | Contractors named their own prices on turnpike work, audit finds

By: Dave Hamby
March 6, 2026 // Updated: March 6, 2026
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...]

Paying property taxes: What’s in it for me?

By: Dave Hamby
March 2, 2026 // Updated: March 4, 2026
At a time when calls for property tax cuts dominate headlines and dinner table debates, more people are asking a simple question: What’s in it for me? It’s a fair question. Why should I pay for services I don’t use,… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Property taxes are vital to the health of local government | Oklahoma AG won’t say if Trump administration push to access protected voter info is lawful | Advocacy alert: Bill would limit people’s power in future elections

By: Dave Hamby
// Updated: March 2, 2026
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: School choice programs grow in popularity — and cost | How a 2014 Oklahoma law protects problem property owners | Culture war, ethics bills stall in House committee

By: Dave Hamby
February 24, 2026 // Updated: February 24, 2026
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: Water demand grows as data centers boom | Surveys measure Oklahomans’ health care struggles | Retooling state’s regressive tax system can help affordability

By: Dave Hamby
February 23, 2026 // Updated: February 23, 2026
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: Cutting property taxes would hurt schools, counties | Lawmakers fail to advance bills to rein in home insurance costs | Oklahoma ranks 47th in the nation for women’s health

By: Dave Hamby
February 20, 2026 // Updated: February 20, 2026
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: Oklahoma will face ‘challenging budget year’ as demand for services grows | What is the SAVE Act? | Election Board issues decision to keep voter data private

By: Dave Hamby
February 17, 2026 // Updated: February 17, 2026
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...]