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.
By: Dave Hamby
February 21, 2021 // Updated: February 20, 2021
Oklahoma among worst states for higher education cuts; Together Oklahoma Talks Policy: Healthy Oklahomans and Safe Communities; (Capitol Update) Lawsuit challenges OHCA’s managed care proposal; Policy Matters: Rethinking Oklahoma’s ‘tough on crime’ approach to justice; Virtual Day of Action, March 4 [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
February 18, 2021 // Updated: February 18, 2021
Even before COVID-19 brought new challenges to state education systems, a new report out this week shows that Oklahoma was one of 6 states that cut higher education funding by more than 30 percent between 2008 and 2019: Oklahoma cut higher education allocations by 35.3 percent, or $3,515, per student in 2019 when compared with a decade earlier. Oklahoma had the nation’s third largest percentage decrease in state higher education funding during that period, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report released Feb. 17. [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
February 14, 2021 // Updated: February 14, 2021
Changes to Oklahoma’s drug laws reduce criminal charges and prison sentences; Together Oklahoma Talks Policy: Healthy Oklahomans & Health Care; (Capitol Update) Proposed bills again seek to undo will of the voters; Policy Matters: Breaking the cycle of political inequities [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
February 7, 2021 // Updated: February 7, 2021
Benefits simulator helps families understand assistance programs and helps support better policies; Confrontations between governor, legislature may continue over managed care proposal (Capitol Update); OK Policy’s Response to 2021 State of the State Address; Policy Matters: What was left unsaid in the State of the State Address [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
January 31, 2021 // Updated: January 31, 2021
OK Policy State Budget Summit recap; Statement: OHCA’s approval of privatizing Oklahoma’s health care is bad health care policy and lacks sufficient public comment processes; Legislators must work together to move forward (Capitol Update) [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
January 26, 2021 // Updated: January 26, 2021
Statement from Carly Putnam, Policy Director for the Oklahoma Policy Institute:
“The OHCA’s decision today to approve funding for privatizing management for the state’s Medicaid program was rushed, disallowed a robust public comment process, and advanced bad health care policy… Read more [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
January 24, 2021 // Updated: January 23, 2021
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...]
By: Dave Hamby
January 20, 2021 // Updated: January 20, 2021
UPDATE: OHCA officials said Wednesday morning (Jan. 20) that this meeting will be rescheduled following a decision by the board chair.
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The Oklahoma Health Care Authority is continuing to stifle taxpayers who want to comment on a… Read more [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
January 19, 2021 // Updated: May 27, 2021
OK Policy has announced its 2021 legislative priorities, focusing on policy initiatives to help Oklahomans live healthier, create thriving families, and develop safe communities.
“Even before COVID-19 struck, far too many Oklahoma families and communities were struggling to provide and… Read more [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
January 17, 2021 // Updated: January 17, 2021
OK Policy State Budget Summit, Advocate Training set for Jan 26 & 27; New GAO report details problems with managed care (Capitol Update); Policy Matters: Protecting, securing our state Capitol; Governor's guidance sets wrong goal [More...]