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
Spavinaw moving toward school consolidation, as should the state:
One of the Legislature’s (many) shortcomings this year was the failure to act on school consolidation. Oklahoma has more than 500 school districts, which inflates administrative costs and creates a political barrier to more important means of adequately funding education [Tulsa World].
Right to water?:
An opponent of the Right to Farm proposal believes the proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution is actually part of a strategy to move water from eastern Oklahoma to western Oklahoma and Texas [Ada News].
Farmers vote on right to farm:
Oklahoma farmers and ranchers will have their right to farm on the ballot this November [AgInfo.net].
Democratic legislators accuse governor of revenge in lack of water board appointment:
Governor Mary Fallin’s failure to appoint a southeastern Oklahoman to the Region 9 seat on the Oklahoma Water Resources Board prompted four legislators to ask for an Attorney General’s opinion this week [OK Energy Today].
GMO labeling deal ‘close’:
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) said she and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) are “narrowing the issues” surrounding GMO labeling legislation and are “close” to reaching a deal [Politico].
Vermont’s GMO labeling law: DuPont, Syngenta fight disclosure of internal studies:
The Vermont Attorney General’s Office is asking a federal judge to force Syngenta Corporation and Dupont to turn over internal studies relating to the safety of genetically modified organisms [Battleboro Reformer].
New FAA rules mean US companies can fly drones without a pilot’s license:
Before today any for-profit entity flying a drone — from real estate agents to farmers to photographers — had to have a pilot’s license. The updated regulatory framework replaces that license with a knowledge test and certificate specific to flying a drone — allowing companies a much cheaper, faster, and simpler path to getting in the air [The Verge].
California years away from making drought recovery:
It could take California four years to recover from the most severe drought on record, even if the next several winters bring above-normal snowfall to the Sierra Nevada, researchers said Tuesday releasing a study [ABC News].
Why does a strawberry grown down the road cost more than one grown in California?:
Visiting a farmers market involves discovering new vegetables, swapping recipes and feeling good about consuming healthful foods while supporting small, local farms. But that feel-good experience comes at a price [Washington Post].
The way Americans eat is becoming more divided:
More people are eating healthier but the gap is widening between rich and the poor [Reuters].
