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
STIR challenge to SQ 777 gets thrown out by judge:
An Oklahoma County judge dismissed a legal challenge to the so-called Right to Farm Act filed by Tahlequah-based clean-water advocacy group, property owners and farmers. [Muskogee Phoenix]
Wildlife commissioner Danny Robbins fought feral swine spotlighting bill to the end:
The 2nd regular session of the 55th Legislature adjourned Friday with legislators still working to overturn Gov. Mary Fallin’s veto of the feral swine bill. [Tulsa World]
Session ends with 11th-hour budget, but other issues fall by the wayside:
The Oklahoma Legislature ended the session by passing a state budget in the 11th hour. The House on Friday signed off on a budget that resulted in no additional cuts to common education, Medicaid and corrections but reduced funds for higher education and most other state agencies. [Tulsa World]
End of session means start of campaign season:
The Legislature’s approval of the fiscal year 2017 budget Friday to avoid a special session started the campaign season. [Journal Record]
Donald Trump sides with agriculture over environmentalists in California water clash:
Donald Trump cast the unending controversies over California’s water supply as a fight between farmers and environmentalists on Friday, and he took the side of agriculture. [LA Times]
Farm Belt banks tighten the buckle:
Banks are tightening credit for U.S. farmers amid a rise in delinquencies, forcing some growers to turn to alternative sources of loans. [Wall Street Journal]
Farmers wait, and wait, for guest workers amid H-2A visa delays:
American farms should be in full swing right now. But some farmers are running behind, waiting on work visas for planters and pickers from out of the country. [NPR]
Make no mistake: The bank lobby wants to kill farm credit:
Farm Credit stands ready to continue working with community banks for the benefit of rural America, says Todd Van Hoose, President & CEO of the Farm Credit Council. But it will be much easier to do so when their lobbyists stop agitating for Farm Credit’s demise. [Agri-Pulse]
Bees, butterflies to get better habitat along Interstate 35:
Soon, passengers zipping along Interstate 35 will see a lusher refuge and more food for bees and butterflies in the hopes of helping the insects boost their declining populations, six states and the Federal Highway Administration announced Thursday. [ABC News]
