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.
By: Dave Hamby
May 5, 2020 // Updated: May 5, 2020
Just a day after the Oklahoma Supreme Court removed barriers to absentee voting, the Oklahoma Legislature is quietly advancing a bill to make it harder to vote by mail. The Oklahoma House will consider SB 1779 as soon as Wednesday.… Read more [More...]
Supreme Court strikes down notary requirement for absentee ballots; Legislature reveals FY 2021 budget proposal; Incarcerated individuals considered for medical release due to pandemic. [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
May 4, 2020 // Updated: May 4, 2020
Statement from Ahniwake Rose, Executive Director for Oklahoma Policy Institute:
Given the extraordinary financial challenges facing Oklahoma, we commend the Legislature for putting together a budget that protects many of Oklahoma’s core services while retaining savings that can be used… Read more [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
May 3, 2020 // Updated: May 2, 2020
Cooperation needed to navigate uncharted waters; Medical parole is necessary to help protect Oklahoma prisons and hospitals from COVID-19; Broadband is more important than ever in Oklahoma. [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
May 2, 2020 // Updated: May 2, 2020
'Education will receive a cut,’ but Legislature wants input on Stitt’s federal money; some Oklahoma businesses re-open; Stillwater drops mask requirement after businesses threatened. [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
April 27, 2020 // Updated: April 27, 2020
Oklahoma governor defends plan to reopen businesses; Tulsa preps to restart after Stitt declaration, but city's top health official concerned premature openings could create surge amid inadequate testing; [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
April 26, 2020 // Updated: April 26, 2020
Gov. Stitt asks for virus to be declared 'Act of God'; Tulsa's top health official concerned premature openings could create surge; COVID-19 fallout should renew debate over municipal funding. [More...]
Reopening Oklahoma: A time for courage, not expediency; County jails in Oklahoma face immense risk from COVID-19; Finding an upside of recent budget battle. [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
April 25, 2020 // Updated: April 25, 2020
OKC, Tulsa to fall in line with state's reopening plan; Reaction from health officials, others; Jails at risk during outbreak; Nursing homes struggle to find protective equipment. [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
April 19, 2020 // Updated: April 19, 2020
Flood of evictions expected to hit Oklahoma; Remembering the OKC Bombing 25 years later; COVID-19 restrictions ignite fears endemic to U.S. history, culture. [More...]