Category: Press Releases & Statements

Ahniwake Rose takes OK Policy helm while organization honors outgoing director David Blatt with Legacy Fund and Events

Today marks a new era in the history of Oklahoma Policy Institute (OK Policy) as Ahniwake Rose takes over the helm as Executive Director, succeeding longtime director David Blatt. [More...]

Oklahoma Policy Institute is endorsing State Question 802. Here’s why

By endorsing SQ 802, we will stand with our longstanding partners, allies, and funders in promoting this nonpartisan effort to expand access to health coverage. [More...]

OK Policy selects second class of fellows for Oklahoma Mental Health Policy Fellowship

Oklahoma Policy Institute has hired Ky’lee Barnoski and Bobby Koolis as the second class of fellows for the Oklahoma Mental Health Policy Fellowship.  [More...]

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...]