Category: Press Releases & Statements

2022 in Review

  Reports A Better Path Forward: Focus on Transparency (Oklahoma’s Budget Process) Better Tomorrows: A Landscape Analysis of Oklahoma’s Youth Justice System and Suggested Reforms Medicaid Expansion in Oklahoma: Year One   Research and Analysis Medicaid expansion improved access to… Read more [More...]

OK Policy Names Shiloh Kantz as Executive Director

The Oklahoma Policy Institute Board of Directors has named Shiloh Kantz — the organization’s longest tenured staff member — as its executive director to lead the organization as it fulfills its mission to deliver non-partisan research, data analysis, and advocacy… Read more [More...]

Statement about recommendations to expand pregnancy coverage, postpartum care

Expanding health care access for pregnant Oklahomans is an important next step to help ensure the health and well-being for our state’s children and families.  OK Policy applauds the proposals made by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and recommended by… Read more [More...]

OK Policy announces new board leadership, interim executive director 

The Oklahoma Policy Institute is excited to announce new board leadership and an interim executive director following the recent departure of former executive director Ahniwake Rose for a position at a national organization. The new leadership for the OK Policy… Read more [More...]

OK Policy statement on legislature’s FY23 appropriations bills

The budget bills approved today by lawmakers — and now forwarded to the governor for consideration — reflect some good investments in Oklahoma, especially for youth and their families involved in the justice system and the hundreds of Oklahomans with intellectual and developmental disabilities who currently face a 13-year wait for services.  [More...]

New report examines Oklahoma’s youth justice system, proposes reforms 

A new report from the Oklahoma Policy Institute shows that issues with Oklahoma’s youth justice system mirror problems seen in its adult justice system, most notably that children of color are overrepresented and the state’s overreliance on fines and fees to fund core operations damages families and communities.  [More...]

OK Policy’s State of the State Response, 2022

While we heard a lot of rhetoric in today’s State of the State address, we heard precious little that builds bipartisan solutions helping Oklahomans live healthier lives, raise thriving families, and make our communities safer.  Increasingly, too many Oklahomans face… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma among least transparent states for state budget process, new OK Policy report shows

A new report from the Oklahoma Policy Institute shows that Oklahoma is among the nation’s least transparent states when engaging its residents during the development of the annual state budget.  OK Policy’s new “Focus on Transparency” report serves as a… Read more [More...]

OK Policy announces three new board members 

The Oklahoma Policy Institute has announced three new members joining its Board of Directors: Kelsey Karper, Co-founder and Director of Logistical Creativity at Factory Obscura; Rodger T. Kerr, President and CEO of Altus Chamber of Commerce; and Roger Knak, CEO… Read more [More...]

OK Policy announces new hires in outreach, communication/operations

The Oklahoma Policy Institute is expanding its community outreach efforts across the state with three new staff members, and boosting its communications and operations teams through the hiring of a new fellow.  [More...]