Category: Press Releases & Statements

New dashboard from Open Justice Oklahoma provides live data on Oklahoma’s prison population

For Immediate Release Contact: Ryan Gentzler, rgentzler@okpolicy.org, (918) 794-3944 TULSA, Okla. – A new data tool published by Open Justice Oklahoma provides up-to-date looks at the state’s incarceration rate and prison overcrowding crisis. The Oklahoma DOC Tracker will be updated… Read more [More...]

OK Policy selects Ahniwake Rose as new Executive Director

Oklahoma Policy Institute announced today that Ahniwake Rose, an Oklahoma native who is currently serving as Deputy Director and interim Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C., has been chosen to lead the organization as its next Executive Director. She will replace longtime director David Blatt, who earlier this year announced his intention to step down this fall. [More...]

Report: Federal funds provide needed boost for affordable child care in Oklahoma

Contact: Rebecca Fine, rfine@okpolicy.org, 918-794-3944 TULSA, Okla. — A new report from Oklahoma Policy Institute finds that new federal grant funding is making affordable child care a reality for more Oklahomans. In fiscal year 2019, Oklahoma’s child care subsidy program… Read more [More...]

New KIDS COUNT Data Book ranks Oklahoma in bottom 10 states for child well-being

Oklahoma ranks in the bottom 10 states in the nation for child well-being, according to the 2019 KIDS COUNT® Data Book released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. With an overall ranking of 42nd out of all 50 states,… Read more [More...]

Statement: Budget deal brings welcome progress but many missed opportunities

Oklahoma Policy Institute Executive Director David Blatt released the following statement on the budget deal announced today by state lawmakers: As a result of last year’s revenue increases and a continuing strong economy, lawmakers had a historic opportunity to reverse… Read more [More...]

OK Policy adds leading budget expert to policy team

Oklahoma Policy Institute today announced that Paul Shinn, a budget expert whose work has included extensive leadership roles in Oklahoma state and local government budget offices, will be joining the organization as a Senior Policy Analyst. "I couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Paul Shinn as a full-time member of our staff," said David Blatt, OK Policy's Executive Director. "Nobody in the state has greater first-hand knowledge of budget issues than Paul, and he is also widely respected for his integrity, professionalism, and work ethic." [More...]

Release: OK Policy launches search for new Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TULSA, OK (April 2, 2019): Oklahoma Policy Institute today launched a search for a new Executive Director to replace David Blatt, who announced last week that he intends to step down from his position once a new… Read more [More...]

Release: OK Policy announces that Executive Director David Blatt will be leaving later this year

Oklahoma Policy Institute announced today that David Blatt, its longtime Executive Director, will leave the organization later this year. Blatt intends to remain with the Tulsa-based think-tank through the transition process to a new Executive Director. “We are extremely grateful to David for the great success he has had in building OK Policy into an organization that is widely recognized and respected for its quality, credibility, independence, and integrity,” said Don Millican, who serves as OK Policy’s Board Chair. [More...]

Joint Statement: Installment loan bill needs improvement to protect Oklahomans from financial harm

For Immediate Release Oklahoma Policy Institute along with a coalition of Oklahoma organizations and individuals released this joint statement on a bill that would allow a new high-cost lending product in Oklahoma: Last month, the Oklahoma Senate passed a bill,… Read more [More...]

Fact Check: Property crime decreased in Oklahoma after SQ 780

In the months after State Question 780 went into effect, Oklahomans reported fewer theft crimes to law enforcement agencies across the state. The early results of Oklahoma’s landmark justice reform add to the evidence that it is possible to reduce both crime and punishment at the same time. [More...]