MEET THE LEGISLATOR – SPEAKER CHARLES MCCALL
A personal relationship with your legislator can make all the difference at the state Capitol. That’s why we’re excited to present our new #MeetTheLegislator video series. Each week, we’ll introduce you to a legislator and let you hear about his or her priorities. Our first video features Speaker of the House Charles McCall, representing House District 22 in southeastern Oklahoma. He was first elected in 2013 and begins his first session as Speaker this year.
STATE
Fallin’s tax plan would net cities, counties $769 million:
Oklahoma cities and counties would be in line to receive a $769 million jump in annual revenue if lawmakers approve Gov. Mary Fallin’s proposal to expand Oklahoma’s 4.5-cent sales tax to include an exhaustive list of new services, The Oklahoman has learned [The Oklahoman].
Senate panel passes bills to make massive changes to state judiciary:
“These are important reforms that would shift the balance of power in the judicial appointment process in Oklahoma away from trial lawyers and back to the people,” said Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz, R-Altus. “The governor and members of the Oklahoma Senate are directly elected by the people and on behalf of the people should have more say in which judges are appointed to the bench” [Tulsa World].
Senate, House panels pass bill to implement Real ID:
The Senate Appropriations Committee passed Senate Bill 791 by Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz, R-Altus, and Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City. The measure now moves to the Senate floor for consideration [Tulsa World].
Oklahoma economy officially out of recession; key indicators trend positive:
For the first time in more than a year and a half, monthly state tax receipts grew in January as Oklahoma’s economy emerged from recession, state Treasurer Ken Miller said Wednesday [The Oklahoman].
FEDERAL
Trump’s plan to tap private investors for infrastructure funds worries senators from rural states:
President Trump’s promise to find $1 trillion for infrastructure ran headlong into the senior senator from Wyoming, who said on Wednesday that the White House plan to raise private money for roads and bridges wouldn’t do much to help his rural state [Washington Post].
Trump faces suit over 2-for-1 executive order on regulations:
Liberal groups have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump in an attempt to block his executive order that mandates many federal agencies repeal two regulations for every new one they put on the books [Politico].
AMS delays organic animal welfare rule until May:
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is delaying the effective date of a new rule on organic livestock and poultry practices to comply with a Trump administration directive [Agri-Pulse].
What happened when the U.S. got rid of guest workers? Farms used less labor:
There’s an economic argument to limiting immigration to the U.S.: Cut down on the supply of foreign labor and wages will improve for native-born Americans. But new research shows the equation isn’t that simple [Wall Street Journal].
Should government control what low-income people eat?:
In the case of the food stamp program, should Uncle Sam be dictating what people can eat and drink? That’s a question at the heart of recent calls to try to alter the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) to attempt to encourage healthier eating among low-income Americans [RealClear Markets].
The buzz on endangered species reform:
Congress intended for the ESA to protect species from extinction. However, the law fails to accomplish this, instead it prioritizes species listings over actual recovery and habitat conservation [AFBF].
