OKPOLICY.ORG
(Tulsa, May 9, 2019): 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. As OK Policy transitions to new leadership this year, having Paul on board ensures that the organization will continue to produce highest-quality, respected analysis of budget and tax issues.”
A native of Oregon, Shinn moved to Oklahoma in 1989 to serve as Fiscal Director of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He subsequently held senior budget and finance positions for the cities of Oklahoma City and Del City and most recently was Budget Manager and Operating Finance Officer for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Prior to relocating to Oklahoma, Shinn worked with the Government Finance Officers Association, where he was involved in consulting and research projects for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and several state agencies and local governments. Shinn has taught political science and public administration at the University of Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma, and California State University, Stanislaus. He holds a Ph.D. and M.P.A. from the University of Oklahoma, along with degrees from the University of Maryland and University of Oregon.
“Paul’s policy expertise and extensive experience on a wide range of issues will be of tremendous benefit to our whole policy team,” said Policy Director Carly Putnam.
Shinn’s association with OK Policy began soon after the organization was founded in the late 2000’s when he was engaged on a contract basis to develop the Online Budget Guide, a unique and comprehensive resource that allows users to understand Oklahoma state and local governments, especially how they collect and spend money. He subsequently led two complete updates of the Online Budget Guide and is working on a new update that will be available later this year. His work for OK Policy has also included multi-year budget forecasts and an in-depth report on Oklahoma’s Reading Sufficiency Act, in conjunction with Community Action Project (CAP) Tulsa. While serving as a policy analyst with CAP Tulsa, Shinn also authored a series of comprehensive studies of public benefit programs, including the Child Care Development Fund and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.
Oklahoma Policy Institute is a Tulsa-based think-tank that advances expanded opportunity for all Oklahomans through research, analysis and advocacy. Shinn will be based out of Oklahoma City and will travel regularly to Tulsa. He will begin work on May 13th and can be reached at pshinn@okpolicy.org.
