TOP HEADLINES
OK energy producers believe Pruitt can bring balance as EPA head:
Oil producers are hoping Pruitt will change practices at the EPA they believe favored environmental interests over common sense [News On 6].
Four insights into a Pruitt-led EPA:
As the Senate EPW Committee votes this morning on Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, find four key highlights from his confirmation hearing that shone a light on a potential Pruitt-led EPA [OKAgPolicy].
Trump picks Colo. appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court:
President Trump nominated Colorado federal appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court on Tuesday, opting in the most important decision of his young presidency for a highly credentialed favorite of the conservative legal establishment to fill the opening created last year by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia [Washington Post].
CONGRESS
Trouble could be looming for farm bill funding:
As lawmakers begin their farm bill processes on Capitol Hill, there are concerns in Washington over how much money will be available for the next piece of legislation [Agri-Pulse].
Senate Democrats threaten to boycott committee vote on EPA nominee Scott Pruitt:
Senate Democrats are threatening to boycott a planned committee vote Wednesday on President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency, arguing Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt hasn’t fully answered their questions or addressed their concerns, according to multiple Senate aides [Wall Street Journal].
Senate committee approves Zinke to lead Interior:
Republicans have broadly supported Zinke, a Republican who represents Montana in the House and who has relatively moderate positions on public lands issues. He supports federal land ownership, a stance out of step with many conservatives in the West, and in his confirmation hearing earlier this month he said he would support conservation efforts at Interior [The Hill].
STATE
Resolution proposes ad valorem taxes for cities:
Jane Abraham, City Manager Jim Couch, Mayor Mick Cornett and other city leaders have complained often that their hands are tied by state law. Lobbyists have been urging state legislators to loosen the reins and let cities tap into ad valorem taxes to help smooth out their budgets [Journal Record].
Commissioners of the Land Office is one government agency that’s working well (opinion):
Since statehood, the CLO has provided an ongoing and growing source of revenue for public education in Oklahoma. The results have been particularly impressive in the last several years as the agency has diversified its investment portfolio and stepped beyond its traditional agricultural roots [NewsOK].
Speaker McCall puts Real ID, teacher pay at top of priority list for state House:
On Tuesday, McCall said he is optimistic lawmakers can pass a phased-in teacher pay raise and come up with the funding for the first year, despite an $868 million budget hole [Tulsa World].
MISCELLANEOUS
States want ‘robust partnership’ with Washington, D.C. on ag:
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture wants a “robust partnership” when it comes to the role of the states in the federal policy process involving both the Administration and Congress [Food Safety News].
Animal rights group seeks pig farming change:
A California-based animal rights group that works throughout North America to end what it says are abusive acts called Tuesday for Hormel Foods Corp. to change the way its growers handle pigs headed for processing [NewsOK].
