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
August 18, 2019 // Updated: August 17, 2019
On our policy blog, a guest post notes that the Administration's rejection of partial Medicaid expansion in Utah should spur states like Oklahoma to move forward with full expansion instead of harmful alternatives that leave people without coverage. [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
August 16, 2019 // Updated: August 16, 2019
Raising the kindergarten age in Oklahoma may leave some children out; Oklahoma issues first annual classroom grants; Dwindling state funding forces universities to tap other sources for capital projects; OxyContin maker Purdue agrees to provide research data; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
August 15, 2019 // Updated: August 15, 2019
Health care working group gets overview at first meeting; Department of Corrections hopes to hire hundreds of correctional officers; Health care, criminal justice reform on agenda for 2020 legislative session, governor says; Gov. signs bill to track federal dollars; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
August 14, 2019 // Updated: August 14, 2019
Governor Signs "Nancy's Law"; Stitt hopes to renegotiate gaming compacts despite opposition from tribal leaders; Oklahoma County jail inmate dies, was found unresponsive; Gun permitting requirements a 'necessary standard,' lawmaker says; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
August 13, 2019 // Updated: August 13, 2019
Referendum effort seeks to stop Oklahoma’s permitless carry law; Judge: Liquor distribution legislation 'unconstitutional'; Exclusive CEO group members help fill out Stitt administration; Stitt administration plans to hire Washington liaison; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
August 12, 2019 // Updated: August 12, 2019
Oklahoma's economy may be slowing, new tax data suggests; Lawmakers urge collaboration in gaming compact negotiations; Despite gains in 2018 elections, women still underrepresented at Oklahoma's Capitol; Political donations around legislative session leave lawmakers’ campaigns $1.3 million wealthier; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
August 4, 2019 // Updated: August 3, 2019
This week, the OK Policy team has been working diligently to prepare for the 7th annual Summer Policy Insititute, a four-day program that will bring together more than 60 of Oklahoma's brightest undergraduate and graduate students for an immersion in state policy issues. [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
August 2, 2019 // Updated: August 2, 2019
Epic Charter Schools' expansion into Texas in limbo amid new revelations about criminal investigation; Unemployment rates improve over last year; Report: Oklahoma 'making progress' on policies to help battle cancer; Regulating Buds: Local dispensaries say new rules won't impact business; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
August 1, 2019 // Updated: August 1, 2019
Medicaid expansion proponents kick off 90-day drive to get issue before voters; Oklahoma ranks lowest on key rare disease programs on NORD's 2019 State Report Card; ‘Huge problem’: Company mum on closing northeast OKC grocery store; Voters ask Legislature for more action on criminal justice reform; [More...]
Oklahoma's Medicaid director to step down; Medicaid expansion advocates start gathering signatures to get State Question 802 on ballot before deadline; As Medicaid expansion looms, bipartisan health care group forms; [More...]
OKPOLICY.ORG
On our policy blog, a guest post notes that the Administration's rejection of partial Medicaid expansion in Utah should spur states like Oklahoma to move forward with full expansion instead of harmful alternatives that leave people without coverage. [More...]
Raising the kindergarten age in Oklahoma may leave some children out; Oklahoma issues first annual classroom grants; Dwindling state funding forces universities to tap other sources for capital projects; OxyContin maker Purdue agrees to provide research data; [More...]
Health care working group gets overview at first meeting; Department of Corrections hopes to hire hundreds of correctional officers; Health care, criminal justice reform on agenda for 2020 legislative session, governor says; Gov. signs bill to track federal dollars; [More...]
Governor Signs "Nancy's Law"; Stitt hopes to renegotiate gaming compacts despite opposition from tribal leaders; Oklahoma County jail inmate dies, was found unresponsive; Gun permitting requirements a 'necessary standard,' lawmaker says; [More...]
Referendum effort seeks to stop Oklahoma’s permitless carry law; Judge: Liquor distribution legislation 'unconstitutional'; Exclusive CEO group members help fill out Stitt administration; Stitt administration plans to hire Washington liaison; [More...]
Oklahoma's economy may be slowing, new tax data suggests; Lawmakers urge collaboration in gaming compact negotiations; Despite gains in 2018 elections, women still underrepresented at Oklahoma's Capitol; Political donations around legislative session leave lawmakers’ campaigns $1.3 million wealthier; [More...]
