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.
OKAgPolicy Legislative Review: SB1219 – Aquifer storage and recovery
Sen. Eddie Fields and Rep. John Pfeiffer explain SB 1219, which allows the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to develop rules for aquifer storage and recovery. Used around the country, the technology helps restore and recharge underground aquifers that are vital for crop irrigation.
FOUR LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS FOR AGRICULTURE
As the second session of the 55th Oklahoma Legislature adjourned Friday, most everyone was focused on the last-minute budget. Despite the doom-and-gloom of the state’s budget, Oklahoma farmers and ranchers saw several key wins at the state Capitol this year. [OKAgPolicy]
TOP HEADLINES
Right to Farm question stirs fears about Oklahoma waters:
In the heat of an Oklahoma summer water is king. And fears over a lack of it aren’t far behind. Those same concerns are at the heart of the controversy over Oklahoma’s state question 777 named Right to Farm. [News9]
Governor signs bill to bank booming revenue to fund state during oil busts:
Gov. Mary Fallin on Friday signed into law legislation that banks boom-time tax revenues to cushion the state during energy downturns. [StateImpact Oklahoma]
Supreme Court rules for landowners fighting the government over wetlands:
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled for landowners Tuesday who are fighting the government over whether their property includes protected wetlands. [LA Times]
Justice Kennedy sees ’cause for concern’ in law’s reach:
Property rights advocates celebrated a Supreme Court win in a wetlands case today that they say clears the way for future attacks on the Clean Water Act. [Environment & Energy Publishing]
Fight over California drought heats up in Congress:
Efforts in Congress are heating up to bring some relief to California’s historic drought, just as the dry summer season is starting. [The Hill]
Vilsack hopes meeting will push Congress on Cuba trade deal:
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he is optimistic a visit with his Cuban counterpart Friday in Iowa can help build pressure on Congress to fully lift the embargo on trade with the communist country. [Des Moines Register]
Environmentalists plan fierce battle against Bayer-Monsanto merger:
This May, environmentalists amassed in cities around the world once again for their annual “March Against Monsanto,” which for four years has been protesting the world’s most infamous producer of genetically modified crops. But next year, the demonstrators may no longer have a Monsanto to protest against. [Deutsche Welle]
