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: State troopers’ efforts leave influx of homeless at Tulsa parks, on streets | Chance of government shutdown rises | Is Oklahoma breaking public schools?

By: Dave Hamby
September 22, 2025 // Updated: September 23, 2025
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...]

Weekly Wonk: Housing ends homelessness; confinement makes it worse | Breaking Oklahoma’s cycle of incarceration requires coordinated efforts, investments | Outrage sells, but we’re paying the price

By: Dave Hamby
September 19, 2025 // Updated: September 19, 2025
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 gamefowl PAC ordered to dissolve, chairman charged with cockfighting crime | Oklahoma’s harm reduction law inches toward expiration | State supt.’s threats against teachers are unconstitutional retribution, says legal expert

By: Dave Hamby
// Updated: September 19, 2025
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: DA declines charges against Ryan Walters regarding nude women seen on his office TV | Gov. says compassion has limits as state troopers clear Tulsa homeless camps | Outrage sells, but we’re paying the price

By: Dave Hamby
September 18, 2025 // Updated: September 18, 2025
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: Details about Oklahoma data centers are often shrouded in secrecy | Stitt’s order to clear homeless camps in Tulsa has led to chaos, advocates say | Housing ends homelessness; confinement makes it worse

By: Dave Hamby
September 15, 2025 // Updated: September 15, 2025
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: 2024 Census data show Oklahoma ranks as 8th poorest state | Leaders’ decision to target immigrants won’t improve Oklahoma education outcomes | More

By: Dave Hamby
September 12, 2025 // Updated: September 12, 2025
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...]

2024 Census data: Oklahoma ranks as 8th poorest state

By: Dave Hamby
September 11, 2025 // Updated: September 12, 2025
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey, released Sept. 11, show that Oklahoma’s poverty rate was 14.9 percent, which means that more than 1 in 7 state residents live in poverty. While the state’s overall poverty rate… Read more [More...]

In The Know: ‘We can’t incarcerate ourselves out of homelessness’ | Report: Ryan Walters has a pattern of poor attendance at state boards | Taking a closer look at this year’s state budget

By: Dave Hamby
September 8, 2025 // Updated: September 8, 2025
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. targets Tulsa in Trump-like mission to remove homeless encampments | Teacher morale crisis caused by low pay, legislature’s inaction re: state superintendent | Private prison companies profit from incarcerating our loved ones, exploiting rural towns

By: Dave Hamby
September 5, 2025 // Updated: September 5, 2025
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: Rep. Ty Burns to resign after pleading guilty to domestic abuse | What’s in Oklahoma’s new ‘woke’ teacher test | Who runs education in Oklahoma? | Future of democracy rests in the state Supreme Court

By: Dave Hamby
September 2, 2025 // Updated: September 2, 2025
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...]