OKAgPolicy Today is a morning email containing the day’s top agriculture and policy headlines. The inclusion of a particular story does not equal an endorsement. Subscribe to the email here.
SIGN UP FOR ACTION ALERTS
Want to help safeguard agriculture and rural Oklahoma? Sign up for legislative action alerts from OKAgPolicy and Oklahoma Farm Bureau! By registering, you’ll receive a notification when legislators need to hear from you. Plus, receive weekly e-newsletters, track legislation, comment on federal regulations and more. Text “JOIN” to 405-400-0311 or click here to sign up.
TRUMP TRANSITION
Oil bubbles back to top with Trump:
Trump’s pick of Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson as secretary of State and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R), a staunch oil ally, for Energy secretary together with last week’s choice of oil-friendly Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt (R) to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, are giving the fossil fuel industry high hopes for the Trump administration [The Hill].
Trump taps Montana congressman Ryan Zinke as interior secretary:
A lifelong hunter and fisherman, the 55-year-old Zinke has defended public access to federal lands even though he frequently votes against environmentalists on issues ranging from coal extraction to oil and gas drilling [Washington Post].
Trump taps former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to head Energy Department:
His nomination — announced officially by Trump’s transition team a day after sources leaked the decision — stirred further alarm from environmental groups and others worried that the Trump administration will roll back efforts to expand renewable energy and give a powerful platform for officials questioning the scientific consensus on climate change [Washington Post].
FEDERAL
The drought-busting bill Congress just passed might screw the Endangered Species Act:
Of particular concern, if you are a biologist, fish-lover, or fish, is language that authorizes increased pumping from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to farms in drier Southern California drought-stricken south [Wired].
EPA panel begins evaluation of carcinogenicity of glyphosate:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding four days of meetings, beginning December 13, aimed at examining the evidence that does or does not tie the world’s most widely used herbicide — glyphosate — to cancer [Genetic Literacy Project].
White House makes the case for not rolling back efforts on Cuba:
The Obama administration has invested nearly two years into forging new ties with Cuba, and a White House official made the case to reporters Tuesday why the Trump administration should not try to roll back changes [Agri-Pulse].
STATE
State Supreme Court approves turnpike bonds:
The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday unanimously approved the issuance of $480 million in Oklahoma turnpike bonds, clearing the way for the first phase of multiple turnpike improvement and expansion projects that will be accompanied by systemwide toll increases [The Oklahoman].
School accountability plan seeks to improve Oklahoma letter grade system:
State education leaders believe a new accountability plan will improve the controversial A through F grading system of Oklahoma public schools, yet critics see a chance for the letter grades to be dropped altogether following federal rule changes last week [The Oklahoman].
Many on state task force want school report-card overhaul delayed:
About one-fourth of the task force that worked on a proposal to overhaul Oklahoma’s A-F school grading system is now seeking to delay its advancement to the Legislature [Tulsa World].
