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.
EARLY VOTING BEGINS TODAY IN OKLAHOMA
Electing leaders who understand and value agriculture is vital. Before you vote, make sure you’re informed! Use our guide to help you vote for agriculture. Confirm your voter registration, find your polling place, and view a sample ballot using the Oklahoma State Election Board’s Online Voter Tool.
TOP HEADLINES
Why family farmers support Oklahoma’s Right to Farm:
On Nov. 8, Oklahoma voters can protect family farmers and ranchers from overregulation by out-of-state activist groups by voting YES on State Question 777. Four Oklahoma family farmers explain why the Right to Farm is vital for the future of Oklahoma family farms [Oklahoma Farmers Care].
Millions raised and spent on Oklahoma ballot measures:
Campaign money has also been flowing to groups for and against State Question 777, a constitutional amendment that would prevent Oklahoma lawmakers from passing legislation to regulate agriculture unless it has a “compelling state interest” [NewsOK].
ELECTIONS
Funding highlights Oklahoma battleground districts:
While Democrats hope to pick up a few urban seats, Republicans are looking to expand their footprint in rural districts, and funding levels highlight that effort [The Oklahoman].
Food policy on the ballot: What’s at stake this election:
With about 20 food-industry-related measures on state ballots and two presidential candidates with clashing views, this year’s election will have a profound impact on the food industry [Eater].
STATE
Consultants to state: Repeal incentives for movies, access roads:
Consultants hired by the state have recommended repealing financial incentives for movies made in Oklahoma and industrial access roads, but suggested retaining, or at most modifying, most of the tax breaks up for review this year [Oklahoma Watch].
Bond fee practices underscore need for reform in Oklahoma:
But the need is great for lawmakers not to relent, and instead continue to push for reform, as a story in The Oklahoman on Sunday makes clear. Reporter Randy Ellis noted that because many school districts don’t use competitive processes in getting legal and technical guidance on bond issues, they spend far more on fees than other entities [The Oklahoman].
FEDERAL
Government and industry groups ask court to overturn EPA water rule:
The brief, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, lays out in detail the substance of the groups’ allegations. It follows a year of litigation over which court had jurisdiction to hear challenges to the expansive and unlawful rule [FB News].
What the Canada-EU deal means for the future of trade:
The EU’s ability to move forward with Canada is more important for global commerce than the specifics of their two-way deal would suggest. It might even be a signal to Congress to take the bold—but still possible—step of approving the TPP during the short lame-duck session after the election [Fortune].
Judiciary committee senators ask GAO for assessment of 2015 cattle market price drop:
The Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter today to Government Accountability Office Comptroller General Gene Dodaro requesting that the office complete an assessment of the sudden price drop of U.S. cattle prices in 2015 [Chuck Grassley].
MISCELLANEOUS
Don’t fear the population explosion – human ingenuity will feed us all:
Modern agriculture has married farming and technology to meet the nutritional demands of a growing population while limiting the environmental impact of doing so [CapX].
