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: Legislative leaders seem aligned on property tax elimination impacts | Oklahomans worried about loss of Medicaid coverage | Congressional Republicans remain silent after Trump shares racist depiction of Obamas

By: Dave Hamby
February 9, 2026 // Updated: February 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: Oklahoma legislative leaders worry about FY27 budget shortfall | Protecting revenue of key importance in legislative session | How Oklahoma Is Fixing Attorney Deserts in Child Welfare Cases

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

In The Know: What to know as state legislative session starts today | Has Oklahoma reached Top 10 status? | Far-right senators clash as session begins

By: Dave Hamby
February 2, 2026 // Updated: February 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: OKC mayor says ICE detention center deal is off | SoonerCare fears it won’t make payroll without $495M lifeline | Oklahomans should speak up, stand up during this legislative session

By: Dave Hamby
January 30, 2026 // Updated: January 30, 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: Oklahomans push back against plans for an ICE detention facility | Gov. wants to create state website promoting school choice | New Office of Juvenile Affairs budget request prioritizes importance of early treatment

By: Dave Hamby
January 28, 2026 // Updated: January 28, 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: Gov.’s ‘welfare reform’ order misses real problems facing Oklahomans | Native Americans are getting swept up by ICE; Republicans say ‘There will be mistakes’ | Signatures delivered for open primaries state question

By: Dave Hamby
January 27, 2026 // Updated: January 27, 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: Stitt, other governors call for ‘reset’ of immigration policy after second Minnesota death | Oklahoma lawmakers file slate of anti-immigration, anti-Muslim bills ahead of legislative session | What the federal megabill really means for Oklahoma

By: Dave Hamby
January 26, 2026 // Updated: January 26, 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 braces for winter storm, snow | Lawmaker proposes state oversight of homeless shelters | Judge will let tribal sovereignty case against Oklahoma DAs continue

By: Dave Hamby
January 23, 2026 // Updated: January 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...]

Triggered tax cuts

By: Dave Hamby
January 22, 2026 // Updated: January 22, 2026
Triggered tax cuts are automatic reductions in tax rates when public revenue meets a fiscal target. Instead of lawmakers proposing legislation annually and voting on specific tax cuts, these triggers automatically lower tax rates — and revenue — when certain… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Bill filing completed for 2026 Legislative Session | Tribal leaders raise concerns about ICE encounters | What Oklahoma got right with tobacco lawsuit settlement money

By: Dave Hamby
January 20, 2026 // Updated: January 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...]