David Blatt
Professor of Practice, University of Oklahoma
Chapter Member: Oklahoma SSN
Areas of Expertise:
About David
Blatt joined University of Oklahoma - Tulsa as the George Kaiser Family Foundation Endowed Professor of Practice in 2020. Blatt served as a fiscal analyst for the Oklahoma State Senate, public policy director of a non-profit anti-poverty agency, and Executive Director of a policy think-tank (Oklahoma Policy Institute, focused on state fiscal, social and economic policy issues). Blatt earned his PhD from Cornell University and his research has spanned topics ranging from state budget and tax policy, health care issues, social welfare, immigration, poverty and asset building, emphasizing the need for fair and adequate funding of public services and expanded economic opportunity, and financial security for low- and moderate-income residents. In addition to conducting and publishing research for a broad public audience, his work has included providing testimony to legislative committees, direct advocacy with legislators, extensive public presentations to community organizations, and organizing public policy forums and events.
Contributions
Repairing Oklahoma's Broken Democracy
Key Findings Brief,
The Oppositional Politics of Health Reform in Oklahoma
Basic Facts Brief,
The Case for Curbing Oklahoma's Oil and Gas Tax Breaks
Key Findings Brief,
In the News
Opinion: "Point of View: On Medicaid, Lessons Unlearned in Oklahoma," David Blatt, The Oklahoman, January 31, 2021.
Opinion: "Oklahoma Is Dead Last in Voting Participation, and That’s Not Good Enough," David Blatt, Tulsa World, November 15, 2020.
Quoted by Jessica Vazquez in "In the Know: Poll: Racial Discrimination Is a Problem; Residents Call for Re-examining Policing, Funding; and More," Oklahoma Policy Institute, July 10, 2020.
Opinion: "A Chance To Show Real Gratitude to Our Essential Workers … With Medicaid Expansion," David Blatt, Tulsa World, June 10, 2020.
Research discussed by , in "Medicaid Expansion May Become Ballot Initiative, According to Policy Group, Lawmaker," Tulsa World, April 19, 2019.
regular contributions by to The Journal Record.
Quoted by Barbara Hoberock in "State Expects to Deposit Historic Amount in Rainy Day Fund," Tulsa World, July 24, 2018.
Quoted by Janelle Stecklein in "Medical Marijuana Special Session Seen as 'Lose-Lose'," Woodward News, July 21, 2018.
Interviewed in "Voter Turnout For Tuesday's Primary Surpasses 2014 General Election Turnout," News on 6, June 27, 2018.
Research discussed by , in "The Oklahoma Primaries Show the Last Impact of the Teacher Walkout," The New Yorker, June 27, 2018.
Research discussed by , in "Early Voting Up Significantly From Four Years Ago," The Joplin Globe, June 25, 2018.
Opinion: "Prosperity Policy: A Brand-New House — and Senate," David Blatt, The Journal Record, May 16, 2018.
Opinion: "What We Know about State 2018 Legislative Elections," David Blatt, Enid News & Eagle, May 15, 2018.
Opinion: "Prosperity Policy: Pushing the Hot Buttons," David Blatt, The Journal Record, May 9, 2018.
Quoted by Alexia Fernández Campbell and Alvin Chang in "Republicans are Giving Raises to Striking Teachers — and Making the Middle Class Pay for Them," Vox, May 8, 2018.
Quoted by Dale Denwalt in "Most Agencies See Boost in Proposed Budget Bill," NewsOK, April 26, 2018.
Opinion: "Where Does the Drive to Fund Oklahoma Education Adequately Go from Here?," David Blatt, Tulsa World, April 22, 2018.
Opinion: "Prosperity Policy: What They Accomplished," David Blatt, The Journal Record, April 18, 2018.
Quoted by Emory Bryan in "Group Attempting Veto Referendum to Stop Tax Increase," Newson6, April 18, 2018.
Quoted by in "Education Advocates Must Remain Engaged Heading into the Election," Enid News & Eagle, April 14, 2018.
Quoted by McAlester News-Capital in "Anti-Tax Effort Could Eliminate Teacher Raises," Janelle Stecklein, April 13, 2018.
Quoted by Jeff Stein in "Behind Oklahoma’s Teacher Strike: Years of Tax Cuts and an Energy Slump," The Washington Post, April 11, 2018.
Opinion: "Prosperity Policy: The Long Work of a Movement," David Blatt, The Journal Record, April 11, 2018.
Quoted by Janelle Stecklein in "Key Revenue Measures Hit Roadblocks," Enid News & Eagle, April 10, 2018.
Quoted by Alvin Chang in "How Tax Cuts for the Rich Led to the Oklahoma Teachers Strike," Vox, April 9, 2018.
Quoted by Simon Montlake and Story Hinckley in "Surge in Teacher Activism Challenges GOP Austerity Mindset," The Christian Science Monitor, April 3, 2018.
Quoted by in "Teachers Chant 'fund our schools' as Revenue-Generating Measure Fails to Get a Vote," Tulsa World, April 3, 2018.
Quoted by Alex Cameron in "The Underfunding of Public Education in Oklahoma," News 9, April 1, 2018.
Quoted by Tyler Butler in "Oklahoma Policy Institute: Oklahomans Pay Some of the Lowest Taxes in the Nation," KTUL, March 31, 2018.
Quoted by Emory Bryan in "Lottery Only Marginally Helps Fund Education, Tax Policy Experts Say," News on 6, March 30, 2018.
Quoted by Janelle Stecklein in "Educators Face Tough Choice with Looming Walkout," Enid News & Eagle, March 29, 2018.
Quoted by Matt Trotter in "Oklahoma House Likely Voting Tonight on Teacher Raises," Public Radio Tulsa, March 26, 2018.
Quoted by David Norris in "Amidst Calls for Change, Majority of House Seats Running Unopposed," KTUL, March 25, 2018.
Opinion: "Prosperity Policy: Punishing the Poor," David Blatt, The Journal Prospect, March 21, 2018.
Quoted by Janelle Stecklein in "Initiative Overhaul Could Eliminate Citizen-Led Petitions, Critics Say," Enid News & Eagle, March 5, 2018.
Quoted by Maureen Wurtz in "What the "Step Up" Plan Could Mean for Taxes, Teachers and Oklahoma," KTUL, February 28, 2018.
Opinion: "Prosperity Policy: Let’s Make A(nother) Deal," David Blatt, The Journal Record, February 21, 2018.
Opinion: "Prosperity Policy: Don’t Rush to Consolidate Power," David Blatt, The Journal Record , February 14, 2018.
Quoted by Barbara Hoberock in "How Proposed Changes in the State's Income Tax Code Could Affect You," Tusla World, February 8, 2018.
Opinion: "Prosperity Policy: Cuts with Consequences," David Blatt, The Journal Record, February 7, 2018.
Quoted by Barbara Hoberock in "Oklahoma House Expected to Vote Quickly on a Massive Tax and Reform Package," Tulsa World, January 31, 2018.
Quoted by Randy Krehbiel in "Legislative Action Preventing Federal Income Tax Change from Blowing a $375 Million Hole in State Budget," Tulsa World, January 28, 2018.
Quoted by Matt Trotter in "Oklahoma Slowly Improving when it Comes to State Budget," Public Radio Tulsa, January 25, 2018.
Quoted by Matt Trotter in "Oil and Gas Tax Breaks Costing Oklahoma Nearly $400M," Public Radio Tulsa, December 21, 2017.
Opinion: "Prosperity Policy: Mission: not Impossible," David Blatt, The Journal Record, October 11, 2017.
Opinion: "Prosperity Policy: Whom we Ask to Pay More," David Blatt, The Journal Record, October 4, 2017.
Quoted by Rhiannon Poolaw in "Save Our State Coalition will host “Blueprint for a Better Budget: A Community Conversation” in Lawton," ABC 7 News, September 19, 2017.
Guest on Public Radio Tulsa, May 11, 2016.
Guest on PBS News Hour, February 2, 2016.
Guest on KGOU National Public Radio, January 21, 2016.
Opinion: "Oil Prices Aren't the Only Reason for Oklahoma's Budget Problems," David Blatt, Tulsa World, January 15, 2016.
Quoted by Saundra Adams in "Oklahoma Policy Institute Reacts to State Revenue Failure," KTUL National Public Radio, December 15, 2015.
Quoted by Warren Vieth in "Education Sales Tax Would Cost Average Family $262," Oklahoma Watch, October 1, 2015.
Quoted by Alison Vekshin in "Wealthy Reap the Most as Revenue Rush Triggers U.S. State Rebates," Chicago Tribune, September 25, 2015.
Quoted by in "Oklahoma Ranks High for State, Local Sales-Tax Rates," Washington Times, July 13, 2015.
Quoted by Warren Vieth in "Up Ahead, Turnover of Insurers on Health Market," Oklahoma Watch, July 2, 2015.
Quoted by Matt Trotter in "New Law Governing Oil, Gas Company Tax Breaks Goes into Effect," Public Radio Tulsa, July 1, 2015.
Guest on News on 6, May 6, 2015.
Opinion: "Seven Things Oklahoma Can Do to Balance Its Budget without Damaging Health, Safety or Economic Well-Being," David Blatt, Tulsa World, March 23, 2015.
Quoted by Renee Lewis in "Okla. Debate over U.S. History Overshadows Education Cuts, Critics Say," Al Jazeera America, February 21, 2015.
Quoted by Brian Hardzinski in "Fallin Orders Hiring Freeze for State Agencies," KGOU National Public Radio, February 10, 2015.
Quoted by Kate Carlton Greer in "Volume of Uncontested Lawmaker Seats 'Not the Best Thing for Our Community'," KGOU National Public Radio, November 3, 2014.
Guest on Tulsa Public Radio, September 19, 2014.
Opinion: "Expanding Coverage is a Chance to Help Oklahoma Businesses and Families," David Blatt (with ), Tulsa World, October 6, 2013.
Opinion: "What Governor Fallin's Healthcare Decisions Mean for Oklahomans," David Blatt, OK Policy Blog, December 18, 2012.
Guest on Studio Tulsa, June 6, 2012.
Guest on StudioTulsa, January 17, 2012.
Regular contributions by to Journal Record: Prosperity Policy.
Publications
"Repairing Oklahoma's Broken Democracy," Oklahoma Policy Institute, November 30, 2014.
This report looks at declining electoral participation in Oklahoma and provides various suggestions for election reforms that would lead to a better informed and more actively engaged electorate.
"Medicaid Proves Its Worth in Oklahoma," Oklahoma Policy Institute, February 28, 2013.
Shows why Oklahoma Medicaid is a cost-effective insurance program that offers access to a broad-based provider network, pays providers fairly and competitively, satisfies patients, pioneers innovative health care delivery mechanisms, and leads to better health outcomes for Oklahomans.
"Unnecessary and Unaffordable: The Case for Curbing Oklahoma's Oil and Gas Tax Breaks," Oklahoma Policy Institute, November 2012.
Examines the tax breaks that Oklahoma bestows for horizontal and deep well oil and gas drilling and argues that they have become unnecessary as incentives and unaffordable for the state budget.
"Health Care Reform and the State Budget: Savings Likely to Fully or Partly Offset Modest New Costs," Oklahoma Policy Institute, October 2011.
Looks at the expected impact of the new federal health care law, the Affordable Care Act, on the state budget and finds that its modest increase on state Medicaid spending will likely be largely or fully offset by other budget savings.
"Protecting Core Services: Revenue Options for a Balanced Budget," Oklahoma Policy Institute, April 2011.
Lays out several options, aimed at state legislators, to boost state revenues so as to avoid enacting deeper budget cuts to essential state services.
"Taking It To The Bank: Promoting Savings in Oklahoma," Oklahoma Policy Institute, March 2011.
Looks at the importance of savings as a way to build assets and achieve economic security for low- and moderate-income residents, and lays out a policy agenda that would promote greater opportunities to save.
"Fixing the Sales Tax," Oklahoma Policy Institute, February 2011.
Argues that sales tax reform, including broadening the base to cover more services, limiting exemptions, and taxing online sales, is needed to ensure a fair, rational and stable tax system that is adequate to meet Oklahoma’s long-term funding needs