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’s domestic violence rates jump | Organizations oppose rule requiring schools to collect immigration data | Black Health: Dying in Oklahoma

By: Dave Hamby
February 21, 2025 // Updated: February 21, 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: Former Governor, U.S. Senator, OU President David Boren dies | House advances mental health consent agreement | Who opened the door for you?

By: Dave Hamby
February 20, 2025 // Updated: February 20, 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: Anti-immigration raids harm all communities | Costs for Gov’s tax cut proposal quietly grew | State needs investments, not tax cuts

By: Dave Hamby
February 19, 2025 // Updated: February 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...]

Governor’s costs for his proposed income tax cut have quietly increased. Here’s why lawmakers should prioritize targeted tax credits to help working families.

By: Dave Hamby
February 18, 2025 // Updated: February 18, 2025
Last month, when the governor initially announced a proposal to cut the state’s personal income tax by a half-percent, the Oklahoma Policy Institute raised the flag that these cuts would cost about $660 million in state revenue annually – nearly… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Protests at Oklahoma capitol | Teacher signing bonus bill advances | Legislature on track to approve mental health consent decree

By: Dave Hamby
// Updated: February 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: What latest state revenue estimate says for FY26 | OTC seeking return of $5 million for improperly given private school tax credits | Inside the Stitt-Walters breakup

By: Dave Hamby
February 17, 2025 // Updated: February 17, 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: Bipartisan concerns about gov’s tax cut plan | House looking to rein in agencies’ administrative rules | Local veterans struggling amid VA cuts

By: Dave Hamby
February 10, 2025 // Updated: February 10, 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: Republican leaders hesitant on income tax cuts | Tangible ways to improve child care for workforce | Will state repeat past income tax cut mistakes?

By: Dave Hamby
February 7, 2025 // Updated: February 7, 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: Legislative session kicks off today | Presidential orders guide states to use federal ed dollars for private schools | Who really wins from tax cuts? Hint: It’s probably not you.

By: Dave Hamby
February 3, 2025 // Updated: February 3, 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...]

Who really wins from tax cuts? (Hint: It’s probably not you) 

By: Dave Hamby
// Updated: February 3, 2025
During today’s State of the State address, the governor is expected to renew his call for cutting taxes in Oklahoma. The "path to zero" is a dangerous road. [More...]