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
January 28, 2020 // Updated: January 28, 2020
Highlights among the 2,243 bills and resolutions Oklahoma lawmakers filed for the 2020 session, which begins Feb. 3; The state's primary motivation for Vegas-style gambling at Oklahoma's Indian casinos was to save Oklahoma's then-struggling horse racing industry. [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
January 27, 2020 // Updated: January 27, 2020
Gov. Kevin Stitt wants to consolidate the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. Combining the two state agencies makes sense because they both focus on improving transportation in Oklahoma. The daylong event brought together more than 100 law enforcement officers, public defenders, prosecutors, judges, nonprofit workers, students, law school faculty and others involved in the criminal justice arena. [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
January 23, 2020 // Updated: February 11, 2020
Together Oklahoma, an advocacy program of the Oklahoma Policy Institute, is working to ensure that every Oklahoman is counted during the upcoming 2020 Census by identifying partner organizations to reach hard-to-count residents. To aid in this, Together Oklahoma is seeking community partners across the state to strengthen 2020 Census outreach efforts and ensure a more accurate count of all Oklahomans. [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
January 14, 2020 // Updated: June 14, 2021
The Oklahoma Policy Institute is honored to announce that University of Oklahoma-Tulsa President John H. Schumann, MD, has joined its board of directors.
“We’re excited to have someone with Dr. Schumann’s significant experience that strengthens our board’s expertise, especially in… Read more [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
December 20, 2019 // Updated: December 20, 2019
Oklahoma lawmakers should have about $206.8 million, or 2.5 percent, more available funds for essential state services during the budget year that starts July 1, 2020, based on estimated revenue numbers released Friday by the Oklahoma Board of Equalization. The estimated revenue figures certified Friday show the state should expect a modest increase in revenue. When those figures are run through the state’s budget formula, however, it shows a substantially higher availability of new budget dollars than might initially appear. [More...]
By: Dave Hamby
November 27, 2019 // Updated: November 27, 2019
New state report cards show Oklahoma schools' grades are slipping; One-third of Oklahoma schools require ‘heavy focus’; Claremore teacher surprised with prestigious Milken Educator Award [More...]