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TOP HEADLINES
Estate tax repeal bill would help family farmers:
A pair of estate tax repeal bills introduced in Congress would help farm and ranch families overcome the challenges of passing their family businesses to the next generation, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said in a letter sent Jan. 25 to members of the House and Senate [AFBF].
Key takeaways from Pruitt’s responses:
Answers from EPA nominee Scott Pruitt to more than 1,000 questions for the record provide more glimpses into how President Donald Trump’s pick might run the agency [Politico].
TRADE
What’s next for NAFTA?:
A new trading environment is taking shape in Washington, and many wonder where that will leave deals like the North American Free Trade Agreement [Agri-Pulse].
No one wins in a trade war (editorial):
Make no mistake, the death of the Trans-Pacific Partnership was exactly what China wanted. The question now is: Will whatever replaces the trade deal be a gift for American workers and companies, as well as our national security? [Des Moines Register]
Ahead of Theresa May’s visit, talk of trade deal is clouded in politics:
As President Trump prepares to host Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain at the White House on Friday, he intends to begin discussions on a free-trade agreement that would deepen commercial ties between their countries [New York Times].
STATE
Everything ‘on the table’ as lawmakers tackle $868 million budget hole, Republican Senate leader says:
Everything, including new revenue sources, “will have to be on the table” as lawmakers grapple with an $868 million budget hole, Senate President Pro Tem Mike Schulz said Thursday [Tulsa World].
State school board votes to sponsor Seminole charter:
Seminole would become just the second rural charter school to open since a 2015 change in Oklahoma law that allowed charters to open outside of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, the state’s two largest cities [The Oklahoman].
MISCELLANEOUS
OKFB honors nine state leaders with 2016 Champion Award:
Nine of Oklahoma agriculture’s top advocates – including Attorney General Scott Pruitt – will receive the 2016 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Champion Award during the OKFB Legislative Leadership Conference March 6-7 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City [OKFB].
First hearing on 2018 farm bill to be Feb. 23 in Manhattan:
U.S. Sen Pat Roberts says agriculture officials want to come to Kansas to talk directly to producers. He says lawmakers need clear direction from producers on what is working and what isn’t working in farm country [AP].
