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: Grand jury finds ‘rank political favoritism’ in release of Stitt’s friend after DUI | Frustrations flare between House, Senate GOP leaders as legislative session nears end | OKC sees modest drop in overall homeless population

By: Dave Hamby
May 11, 2026 // Updated: May 11, 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: Grand jury: Gov. Stitt helped free friend from prison just weeks into 8-year sentence | Gov. Stitt vetoes bill extending life of Oklahoma’s public television, two dozen other measures | Oklahoma House vote opens door to Nov. 3 vote on changing Medicaid

By: Dave Hamby
May 8, 2026 // Updated: May 8, 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’s left for lawmakers as Oklahoma’s 2026 legislative session winds down | Rising inequality is the root of affordability problems | Lawmakers fund rural prosecutor recruitment, leave defense behind

By: Dave Hamby
May 4, 2026 // Updated: May 4, 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 AG wants audit of for-profit SoonerCare management | Ban on abortion-inducing drugs heads to governor | Voting rights decision draws fire from OKC activists

By: Dave Hamby
May 1, 2026 // Updated: May 1, 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 organizers share how they halted an ICE warehouse | Senate leader hits the brakes on immigration checks for welfare recipients | Oklahomans tired of seeing faith turned into political props

By: Dave Hamby
April 27, 2026 // Updated: April 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: Lawmakers consider reset on division of funds in tobacco settlement trust | Gov’s veto could discontinue Native American education council | SoonerCare is a lifeline Oklahoma can’t afford to lose

By: Dave Hamby
April 24, 2026 // Updated: April 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: INTEGRIS announces closures, layoffs in response to declining federal funding | New state law made ID renewals harder for the unhoused | Trail of Tears still echoes in America

By: Dave Hamby
April 20, 2026 // Updated: April 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: Gov. signs $12.8B state budget bill | Cherokee chief banned from speaking on Oklahoma House floor | Swapping one tax for a worse one doesn’t pay off

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

Eliminating taxes is a trade-off most Oklahoma families can’t afford (Commentary)

By: Dave Hamby
April 14, 2026 // Updated: June 11, 2026
The promise sounds simple enough: eliminate taxes and let people keep more of what they earn. No property taxes. No income taxes. No April deadlines. More money in your pocket. But when taxes disappear, everyday life doesn’t stay the same.… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Parents navigate Oklahoma’s child care crisis | State Democratic leader resigned over AI kissing video | Oklahoma SNAP enrollment dropped 10% following federal megabill

By: Dave Hamby
April 13, 2026 // Updated: April 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...]