Oklahoma Policy Institute
An independent, nonpartisan Oklahoma think tank that conducts policy research, analysis, and advocacy.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Oklahoma Policy Institute, commonly known as OK Policy, is an independent, nonpartisan public-policy research and advocacy organization focused on state-level issues in Oklahoma. Its stated mission is to advance equitable and fiscally responsible policies that expand opportunity for all Oklahomans through research, analysis, and advocacy. The institute works across policy areas that affect the state’s economic and social conditions, including taxation, public services, education, and opportunity, although the available reference material does not provide a complete list of its current programs. The organization was founded in 2008 by David Blatt, Vincent LoVoi, and Steven Dow. It developed from the public-policy department of the Community Action Project of Tulsa County, where Blatt had served as director of public policy. Blatt became OK Policy’s first director of policy. The institute initially operated from Oklahoma City, but its main office moved to Tulsa in 2010, when Blatt replaced Matt Guillory as executive director. The organization has staff working across the state rather than limiting its activity to its primary office. OK Policy’s work is intended to inform public debate with nonpartisan analysis while also supporting policy positions that it regards as equitable and fiscally responsible. Its role therefore combines the functions of a research institute, public educator, coalition participant, and policy advocate. It produces analysis and communicates policy implications to lawmakers, civic organizations, journalists, and the broader public. The institute’s public profile has particularly included debates over state tax policy and the funding of public services. In 2012, OK Policy participated in the Oklahoma debate over proposals to reduce or abolish the state income tax. It helped form Together Oklahoma, a coalition that included the Oklahoma Education Association, the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, and the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. The coalition represented stakeholders concerned about the effects of income-tax reductions on public services and other state priorities. OK Policy opposed the proposed income-tax cut, while the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs supported reducing or eliminating the tax. The institute is affiliated with the State Priorities Partnership, a network of state policy research organizations coordinated by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and with the Economic Analysis Research Network, coordinated by the Economic Policy Institute. These affiliations place OK Policy within broader national networks concerned with state fiscal policy and economic analysis while retaining its focus on Oklahoma. Leadership has changed over time. In 2019, Ahniwake Rose became executive director. In 2022, Shiloh Kantz, described in the reference material as the organization’s longest-serving employee, was named executive director. The available material identifies the organization as active and headquartered in Tulsa, but does not provide reliable information about its current budget, staff size, legal structure beyond its nonprofit policy-institute identity, or detailed present-day program portfolio.
History
Oklahoma Policy Institute was established in 2008 by David Blatt, Vincent LoVoi, and Steven Dow. Its origins were connected to the public-policy department of the Community Action Project of Tulsa County, where Blatt had been director of public policy. This background gave the new organization an Oklahoma-focused policy and community-action orientation rather than the profile of a national commercial consultancy. Blatt began at the institute as director of policy. In 2010, he replaced Matt Guillory as executive director, and the organization moved its main office from Oklahoma City to Tulsa. Although Tulsa became the principal office location, the institute developed a statewide presence through staff and policy work serving Oklahoma as a whole. In 2012, it hired an outreach coordinator, reflecting an expansion beyond research production toward broader public engagement and communication. A significant early public-policy intervention came during the 2012 debate over whether Oklahoma should reduce or eliminate its state income tax. Members of the Oklahoma Republican Party in the state legislature advocated tax reductions or abolition. OK Policy opposed the proposed cut and helped create Together Oklahoma, a coalition of organizations that included the Oklahoma Education Association, the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, and the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. The coalition brought together groups concerned about the consequences of tax changes for education, public services, and children’s interests. In the same debate, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs advocated in favor of reducing or eliminating the income tax. The episode illustrates OK Policy’s dual role as a policy-analysis organization and an advocate in contested state-policy discussions. The institute operates within wider networks of state and economic policy research. It is affiliated with the State Priorities Partnership, coordinated by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and with the Economic Analysis Research Network, coordinated by the Economic Policy Institute. These affiliations connect its Oklahoma work to broader national communities of organizations studying state budgets, taxes, economic conditions, and public priorities. Leadership changed again in 2019, when Ahniwake Rose became executive director. In 2022, Shiloh Kantz was named executive director; the reference material identifies Kantz as the organization’s longest-serving employee. Across these transitions, the institute’s stated mission has remained centered on equitable and fiscally responsible policies that expand opportunity for Oklahomans. The available reference material does not establish a precise current staff count, annual budget, or complete inventory of its present research programs. It does, however, identify OK Policy as an active, independent, nonpartisan Oklahoma think tank with a primary office in Tulsa and statewide policy reach.
- 2022
Shiloh Kantz became executive director
[1]Shiloh Kantz was named executive director after serving as the organization’s longest-serving employee.
- 2019
Ahniwake Rose became executive director
[1]Ahniwake Rose assumed the institute’s executive-director role.
- 2012
Outreach function added
[1]Oklahoma Policy Institute hired an outreach coordinator as part of its development of public engagement capabilities.
- 2012
Together Oklahoma formed during income-tax debate
[1]OK Policy helped organize a coalition of stakeholders opposing proposed reductions or abolition of Oklahoma’s income tax.
- 2010
Leadership and headquarters transition
[1]David Blatt replaced Matt Guillory as executive director, and the institute moved its main office from Oklahoma City to Tulsa.
- 2008
Organization founded
[1]David Blatt, Vincent LoVoi, and Steven Dow founded Oklahoma Policy Institute, building on work associated with the Community Action Project of Tulsa County’s public-policy department.
Products and positioning
An Oklahoma-focused, independent and nonpartisan policy institute that combines research, public education, and advocacy around equitable and fiscally responsible state policies.
Public-policy research · 2008
Policy research and analysis
OK Policy’s core output is nonpartisan research and analysis concerning Oklahoma state policy. Its work is intended to explain policy choices, fiscal implications, and effects on opportunity and public services. The supplied references do not identify a definitive catalog of report titles or recurring publication series.
Policy communication · 2012
Public education and outreach
The institute communicates policy findings to policymakers, civic groups, journalists, and the public. The hiring of an outreach coordinator in 2012 indicates a formal investment in public engagement alongside its research role.
Advocacy and coalition work · 2012
Coalition-based policy advocacy
OK Policy participates in policy coalitions when it seeks to influence Oklahoma debates. Its documented involvement in Together Oklahoma shows how the institute has combined research and advocacy with organizations representing education, children, and public-service interests.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012Together Oklahoma
Oklahoma
OK Policy helped form Together Oklahoma during a legislative debate over proposals to reduce or abolish the state income tax. The coalition included the Oklahoma Education Association, Oklahoma State School Boards Association, and Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, among other stakeholders.
Outcome. The campaign represented opposition to the proposed income-tax reduction or abolition. The supplied material does not establish the coalition’s full subsequent policy outcome.
Brand decisions
2012
Opposed proposed Oklahoma income-tax reductionsStrategyBackground
Members of the Oklahoma Republican Party in the Oklahoma Legislature advocated reducing or abolishing Oklahoma’s income tax.
Action taken
OK Policy opposed the proposed tax cut and helped organize Together Oklahoma, a coalition of affected and interested stakeholders.
Aftermath
The issue became a prominent example of the institute’s participation in state fiscal-policy advocacy. The available material does not document a complete legislative outcome.
- Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs — Advocated in favor of reducing or eliminating the income tax.
Recent events
- 2022
Shiloh Kantz became executive director[1]
Leadership change
Shiloh Kantz, identified as the organization’s longest-serving employee, was named executive director.
- 2019
Ahniwake Rose became executive director[1]
Leadership change
Ahniwake Rose succeeded the previous leadership and became executive director of Oklahoma Policy Institute.
- 2012
OK Policy participated in the Oklahoma income-tax debate[1]
Campaign · Other
OK Policy helped form Together Oklahoma and opposed legislative proposals to reduce or abolish Oklahoma’s income tax.
- 2010
Main office moved to Tulsa under David Blatt[1]
Leadership change · Other
The institute’s main office moved from Oklahoma City to Tulsa, and David Blatt replaced Matt Guillory as executive director.
- 2008
Oklahoma Policy Institute founded[1]
Other
David Blatt, Vincent LoVoi, and Steven Dow founded the Oklahoma Policy Institute after its work grew out of the public-policy department of the Community Action Project of Tulsa County.
Sources2 sources
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