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.
TOP HEADLINES
Last-minute push for Flint aid, energy reform bill:
Members would prefer moving it in a waterways bill called the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Negotiators were nearing a WRDA compromise until an 11th hour dispute erupted over a “buy American” provision in the Senate’s version of the bill [The Hill].
Congress finishes lame duck, House SNAP report due:
Congressional negotiators also are trying to wrap up a new Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that could be passed as the 114th Congress comes to an end, likely this week [Agri-Pulse].
FEDERAL
This week: Government funding deadline looms:
Congress could finish its work for the year by the end of this week if all goes to plan [The Hill].
IRS rule could be pushed to Trump administration (audio):
With January 20th now in sight, the Obama administration is looking to finalize a number of rules and regulations [Agri-Pulse].
Republicans want to grease tracks for Trump:
GOP lawmakers say they expect to pass an ObamaCare repeal in January and then move immediately to Trump’s cabinet nominees. Also on the agenda for the first three months are an infrastructure investment package, a budget with special instructions to pave the way for comprehensive tax reform and a rollback of regulations promulgated by the Obama administration since June [The Hill].
Six maps that show the anatomy of America’s vast infrastructure:
The maps you are about to see provide a glimpse into where Donald Trump may invest half-trillion dollars in our nation’s infrastructure [Washington Post].
STATE
Seminole Republican says he’s resigning from Oklahoma House:
Rep. Tom Newell released a statement Friday saying he is resigning his House District 28 seat effective Dec. 31 to pursue an opportunity in the private sector [News On 6].
Oklahoma growers, shellers band together to market pecans to domestic and overseas customers:
Growers and harvesters finally have created a federally-backed organization that aims to improve pecans’ image and availability through marketing and oversight activities [The Oklahoman].
MISCELLANEOUS
Midwest farmers deal with agricultural downturn:
An agriculture downturn is hitting the Midwest, and there’s not much farmers can do about it except be patient and efficient, an economist at a Tuesday forum in Chicago said [Illinois Radio Network].
Farmers push back against animal welfare laws:
Laws like this one, which strictly regulate how farm animals are confined, are becoming more common across the U.S. [Tuscaloosa News].
Americans don’t trust scientists’ take on food issues:
If you’re curious about what people really think about some of the hottest of hot-button food controversies, the Pew Research Center has just the thing for you: a survey of attitudes toward genetic modification, organic food and the importance of eating healthfully [NPR].
