Author: Dave Hamby

Dave Hamby // dhamby@okpolicy.org

David Hamby has more than 25 years of experience as an award-winning communicator, including overseeing communication programs for Oklahoma higher education institutions and other organizations. Before joining OK Policy, he was director of public relations for Rogers State University where he managed the school’s external communication programs and served as a member of the president’s leadership team. He served in a similar communications role for five years at the University of Tulsa. He also has worked in communications roles at Oklahoma State University and the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce in Arkansas. He joined OK Policy in October 2019.

Recent Articles

In The Know: Feds investigating Owasso schools over possible civil rights violations | AG’s decision impacting Gov.’s cabinet | A look at #okleg following first legislative deadline

By: Dave Hamby
March 4, 2024 // Updated: March 4, 2024
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Flipping the script on state’s upside down tax system | State will move backwards if we continue ignoring unmet needs | More

By: Dave Hamby
March 2, 2024 // Updated: March 2, 2024
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: Senator calls LQBTQ+ Oklahomans ‘filth’ during public forum | Nationwide vigils held for Nex Benedict | Lawmakers seek to make abortion laws even tougher

By: Dave Hamby
February 26, 2024 // Updated: February 26, 2024
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Zoning reforms would help address housing needs | Proposed bill would provide overdue legal reform | Senator’s ‘filth’ comment shameful | More

By: Dave Hamby
February 24, 2024 // Updated: February 24, 2024
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: State’s anti-trans policies drawing scrutiny | Grocery sales tax cut goes to governor for signature | Ed board passes sweeping changes to administrative rules, accreditation standards, more

By: Dave Hamby
February 23, 2024 // Updated: February 23, 2024
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Weighing tax cuts vs unmet state needs | Sports betting | Feds tell state to correct SNAP application errors | More

By: Dave Hamby
February 19, 2024 // Updated: February 19, 2024
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Better ways to deliver fiscal relief than cutting grocery sales tax | Living wage out of reach for many Oklahomans | Capitol Update

By: Dave Hamby
February 17, 2024 // Updated: February 17, 2024
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: Equalization board releases final budget figures, leaders disagree on what’s available | Would folks still pay sales tax on groceries if lawmakers cut the grocery sales tax? | Treat: ‘I was unaware that I was governor’ for a time last summer

By: Dave Hamby
February 16, 2024 // Updated: February 16, 2024
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support… Read more [More...]

Fact check: Would Oklahomans still pay sales tax on groceries if lawmakers cut the grocery sales tax?

By: Dave Hamby
February 15, 2024 // Updated: February 22, 2024
The most likely bills that lawmakers are considering for cutting the grocery sales tax only eliminate the state portion of the sales tax on groceries, which is 4.5 percent. Under these measures, Oklahomans buying groceries would still be paying city sales/use taxes (up to 5.5 percent) and county sales taxes (up to 2.5 percent). [More...]

In The Know: AG blames Stitt, Walters for misspent COVID funds | Swadley’s claims to be political scapegoat | State has most natural disasters in nation

By: Dave Hamby
February 12, 2024 // Updated: February 12, 2024
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support… Read more [More...]