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
"Point of View: On Medicaid, Lessons Unlearned in Oklahoma," David Blatt, The Oklahoman, January 31, 2021.
"Oklahoma Is Dead Last in Voting Participation, and That’s Not Good Enough," David Blatt, Tulsa World, November 15, 2020.
David Blatt quoted by Jessica Vazquez, "In the Know: Poll: Racial Discrimination Is a Problem; Residents Call for Re-examining Policing, Funding; and More" Oklahoma Policy Institute, July 10, 2020.
"A Chance To Show Real Gratitude to Our Essential Workers … With Medicaid Expansion," David Blatt, Tulsa World, June 10, 2020.
David Blatt's research on Medicaid expansion vote in Minnesota discussed by , "Medicaid Expansion May Become Ballot Initiative, According to Policy Group, Lawmaker," Tulsa World, April 19, 2019.
David Blatt's research on Oklahoma's education policy discussed by , "States of Change," The American Prospect, January 7, 2019.
regular contributions by David Blatt to The Journal Record.
David Blatt quoted by Barbara Hoberock, "State Expects to Deposit Historic Amount in Rainy Day Fund" Tulsa World, July 24, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on Oklahoma Legislature by Janelle Stecklein, "Medical Marijuana Special Session Seen as 'Lose-Lose'" Woodward News, July 21, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on legislative elections by Janelle Stecklein, "Early Voting Up Significantly" The Ada News, June 27, 2018.
"Voter Turnout For Tuesday's Primary Surpasses 2014 General Election Turnout," David Blatt, Interview with Meagan Farley, News on 6, June 27, 2018.
David Blatt's research on Oklahoma primary turnout discussed by , "The Oklahoma Primaries Show the Last Impact of the Teacher Walkout," The New Yorker, June 27, 2018.
David Blatt's research on statewide elections discussed by , "Early Voting Up Significantly From Four Years Ago," The Joplin Globe, June 25, 2018.
"What We Know about State 2018 Legislative Elections," David Blatt, Enid News & Eagle, May 15, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on oil prices and the Oklahoma economy by Alexia Fernández Campbell and Alvin Chang, "Republicans are Giving Raises to Striking Teachers — and Making the Middle Class Pay for Them" Vox, May 8, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on the budget bill by Dale Denwalt, "Most Agencies See Boost in Proposed Budget Bill" NewsOK, April 26, 2018.
"Where Does the Drive to Fund Oklahoma Education Adequately Go from Here?," David Blatt, Tulsa World, April 22, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on the tax referendum and teacher raises by Emory Bryan, "Group Attempting Veto Referendum to Stop Tax Increase" Newson6, April 18, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on the effectiveness of teacher walkouts, "Education Advocates Must Remain Engaged Heading into the Election" Enid News & Eagle, April 14, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on the anti-tax movement and teacher raises by McAlester News-Capital, "Anti-Tax Effort Could Eliminate Teacher Raises" Janelle Stecklein, April 13, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on tax revenues in Oklahoma by Jeff Stein, "Behind Oklahoma’s Teacher Strike: Years of Tax Cuts and an Energy Slump" The Washington Post, April 11, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on tax breaks in Oklahoma by Janelle Stecklein, "Key Revenue Measures Hit Roadblocks" Enid News & Eagle, April 10, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on tax cuts in Oklahoma by Alvin Chang, "How Tax Cuts for the Rich Led to the Oklahoma Teachers Strike" Vox, April 9, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on tax breaks, "Teachers Chant 'fund our schools' as Revenue-Generating Measure Fails to Get a Vote" Tulsa World, April 3, 2018.
David Blatt quoted by Simon Montlake and Story Hinckley, "Surge in Teacher Activism Challenges GOP Austerity Mindset" The Christian Science Monitor, April 3, 2018.
David Blatt quoted by Alex Cameron, "The Underfunding of Public Education in Oklahoma" News 9, April 1, 2018.
David Blatt quoted by Tyler Butler, "Oklahoma Policy Institute: Oklahomans Pay Some of the Lowest Taxes in the Nation" KTUL, March 31, 2018.
David Blatt quoted by Emory Bryan, "Lottery Only Marginally Helps Fund Education, Tax Policy Experts Say" News on 6, March 30, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on teacher unions and education reform by Janelle Stecklein, "Educators Face Tough Choice with Looming Walkout" Enid News & Eagle, March 29, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on tax revenues in Oklahoma by Matt Trotter, "Oklahoma House Likely Voting Tonight on Teacher Raises" Public Radio Tulsa, March 26, 2018.
David Blatt quoted on incumbent candidates in Oklahoma by David Norris, "Amidst Calls for Change, Majority of House Seats Running Unopposed" KTUL, March 25, 2018.
David Blatt quoted by Janelle Stecklein, "Initiative Overhaul Could Eliminate Citizen-Led Petitions, Critics Say" Enid News & Eagle, March 5, 2018.
David Blatt quoted by Maureen Wurtz, "What the "Step Up" Plan Could Mean for Taxes, Teachers and Oklahoma" KTUL, February 28, 2018.
"Prosperity Policy: Don’t Rush to Consolidate Power," David Blatt, The Journal Record , February 14, 2018.
David Blatt quoted by Barbara Hoberock, "How Proposed Changes in the State's Income Tax Code Could Affect You" Tusla World, February 8, 2018.
David Blatt quoted by Barbara Hoberock, "Oklahoma House Expected to Vote Quickly on a Massive Tax and Reform Package" Tulsa World, January 31, 2018.
David Blatt quoted by Randy Krehbiel, "Legislative Action Preventing Federal Income Tax Change from Blowing a $375 Million Hole in State Budget" Tulsa World, January 28, 2018.
David Blatt quoted by Matt Trotter, "Oklahoma Slowly Improving when it Comes to State Budget" Public Radio Tulsa, January 25, 2018.
David Blatt quoted by Matt Trotter, "Oil and Gas Tax Breaks Costing Oklahoma Nearly $400M" Public Radio Tulsa, December 21, 2017.
David Blatt quoted by Rhiannon Poolaw, "Save Our State Coalition will host “Blueprint for a Better Budget: A Community Conversation” in Lawton" ABC 7 News, September 19, 2017.
Guest to discuss reducing tax credits in Oklahoma's budget on Public Radio Tulsa, David Blatt, May 11, 2016.
Guest to discuss Oklahoma's sales tax proposal on KGOU National Public Radio, David Blatt, January 21, 2016.
"Oil Prices Aren't the Only Reason for Oklahoma's Budget Problems," David Blatt, Tulsa World, January 15, 2016.
David Blatt quoted on Oklahoma's budget by Saundra Adams, "Oklahoma Policy Institute Reacts to State Revenue Failure" KTUL National Public Radio, December 15, 2015.
David Blatt quoted on penny sales tax hike by Warren Vieth, "Education Sales Tax Would Cost Average Family $262" Oklahoma Watch, October 1, 2015.
David Blatt quoted on tax cuts by Alison Vekshin, "Wealthy Reap the Most as Revenue Rush Triggers U.S. State Rebates" Chicago Tribune, September 25, 2015.
David Blatt quoted on raising the sales tax, "Oklahoma Ranks High for State, Local Sales-Tax Rates" Washington Times, July 13, 2015.
David Blatt quoted on what ObamaCare rulings mean for Oklahomans by Warren Vieth, "Up Ahead, Turnover of Insurers on Health Market" Oklahoma Watch, July 2, 2015.
David Blatt quoted on production problems with horizontal wells by Matt Trotter, "New Law Governing Oil, Gas Company Tax Breaks Goes into Effect" Public Radio Tulsa, July 1, 2015.
"Seven Things Oklahoma Can Do to Balance Its Budget without Damaging Health, Safety or Economic Well-Being," David Blatt, Tulsa World, March 23, 2015.
David Blatt quoted on education budget cuts in OK by Renee Lewis, "Okla. Debate over U.S. History Overshadows Education Cuts, Critics Say" Al Jazeera America, February 21, 2015.
David Blatt quoted on Oklahoma's budget troubles by Brian Hardzinski, "Fallin Orders Hiring Freeze for State Agencies" KGOU National Public Radio, February 10, 2015.
David Blatt quoted on improving health care in Oklahoma, "State Wins Affordable Care Act Grant" KGOU National Public Radio, December 16, 2014.
David Blatt quoted on Oklahoma's 2014 elections by Kate Carlton Greer, "Volume of Uncontested Lawmaker Seats 'Not the Best Thing for Our Community'" KGOU National Public Radio, November 3, 2014.
"Expanding Coverage is a Chance to Help Oklahoma Businesses and Families," David Blatt (with ), Tulsa World, October 6, 2013.
"What Governor Fallin's Healthcare Decisions Mean for Oklahomans," David Blatt, OK Policy Blog, December 18, 2012.
Guest to discuss the Oklahoma Legislature's 2011-2012 Session on Studio Tulsa, David Blatt, June 6, 2012.
Guest to discuss proposals put forth by Oklahoma’s tax-reform task force on StudioTulsa, David Blatt, January 17, 2012.
Regular contributions by David Blatt 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