Jessica joined OK Policy as a Communications Associate in January 2018. A Mexican immigrant, she was a Clara Luper Scholar at Oklahoma City University where she obtained a B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy. Prior to joining OK Policy, Jessica worked at a digital marketing agency in Oklahoma City. She is an alumna of both the National Education for Women (N.E.W.) Leadership Institute (2013) and OK Policy's Summer Policy Institute (2015). In addition to her role at OK Policy, Jessica serves as a board member for Dream Action Oklahoma in OKC and communications director for Dream Alliance Oklahoma in Tulsa.
By: Jessica Vazquez
September 29, 2021 // Updated: September 29, 2021
'Back to Work' incentive, unemployment programs end as Oklahoma waits for court ruling; Oklahoma hospitals still face care limitations amid capacity crunch despite decline in COVID-19 admissions; Group of state lawmakers discuss changing court’s fines and fees structure; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
September 27, 2021 // Updated: September 27, 2021
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt calls for November special session for redistricting; Allison Garrett selected as first female chancellor of Oklahoma higher education; 'Kids really taking the burden': COVID-19 surge follows return to school in Oklahoma; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
September 24, 2021 // Updated: September 24, 2021
As Oklahoma Marks Its 10,000 COVID-19 Death, Lagging Areas Show Vaccination Progress; Oklahoma COVID-19 deaths top 10,000; ICU patients increase; Young adults statewide hit hard by virus; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
September 23, 2021 // Updated: September 23, 2021
As feds limit orders of monoclonal antibody treatments, Oklahoma officials are confident they’ll get needed supply; Santa Fe South was the first district to implement a mask mandate in Oklahoma this fall. Here’s how it’s going; Area child nutrition programs seeing demand increase due to universal free meals; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
September 22, 2021 // Updated: September 22, 2021
Shortage of workers, child care hinder state’s economic recovery; Watch Now: OU epidemiologist estimates delta variant pushed state's population immunity to 78%, doesn't expect COVID-19 uptick until winter; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
September 21, 2021 // Updated: September 21, 2021
COVID public schools' impact: Officials cite lack of consistent data among districts; Watch Now: Data offered for why young, healthy people should get COVID-19 vaccine; The Frontier fact checked claims about unemployment and Oklahoma’s labor shortage; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
September 20, 2021 // Updated: September 20, 2021
ARPA funds could bring generational change to Oklahoma; Debate over Gov. Kevin Stitt's power renewed after governor removes health officials; ‘Cautiously optimistic:’ Oklahoma seeing slowdown in COVID-19 delta variant surge, state leaders say; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
September 17, 2021 // Updated: September 17, 2021
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...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
September 16, 2021 // Updated: September 16, 2021
COVID-19: Dip in case count among good signs for Oklahoma while fatality average jumps 59%; Oklahoma prisons have stopped widespread COVID testing even as cases spike again across the state; Health care facility says Medicaid is working, no need for a change; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
September 13, 2021 // Updated: September 13, 2021
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...]