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.
TODAY IS THE DAY
Heading to the polls today, Oklahoma voters have the opportunity to protect one of the state’s greatest traditions – the family farm. State Question 777, Oklahoma’s Right to Farm gives all farmers and ranchers constitutional protection into the future, ensuring they can continue producing safe and affordable food for the world. Secure the future of Oklahoma agriculture by voting YES on SQ 777. Find your polling place and view a sample ballot here.
TOP HEADLINES
Questions and answers regarding potential impacts of State Question 777:
The information I provide below has been reviewed by other attorneys and faculty members who do not have an affiliation with any organizations advocating a position on SQ777. It represents my best efforts to provide objective, research-based information to answer the frequent questions I have received about the implications if SQ 777 were approved and its constitutional amendment were enacted [Shannon Ferrell].
Oklahomans to vote on ‘Right to Farm’:
For farmers in Oklahoma, the election is about far more than who sits in the Oval Office. Up for a vote in Oklahoma is State Question 777 aka the “Right to Farm” measure [Drovers].
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 [Oklahoma Farmers Care].
ELECTIONS
Vote ’16: Sixteen things to watch for on Election Day:
The measure appears popular in the state’s rural communities, leading many to expect a divide between urban and rural voters. But will that theory come true [The Oklahoman]?
Large-scale change unlikely in Oklahoma with legislative races:
With 126 state legislative seats up for election, 2016 came as a potential change year in Oklahoma. But with 39 candidates running unopposed and only a handful of seats appearing competitive, the political makeup of the Republican-controlled Legislature is likely to remain mostly intact past Election Day [NewsOK].
Reviewing Trump and Clinton stances on ag issues:
As votes are counted across the country today, here’s a recap of where the candidates stand on agricultural issues [Agri-Pulse].
Why Clinton, Trump avoid talking about this one issue:
It seems that everything was on the table this election except maybe one of the most important public health issues facing Americans today—food [Fox News].
MISCELLANEOUS
MA Question 3: The 3,000 chickens at the center of the debate:
A Massachusetts ballot question would mandate livestock be kept in cages of a certain size, but there’s only one farm it would affect [Patch].
Opposition to Mass. animal welfare initiative MIA:
In recent days, money has poured into campaigns over Massachusetts ballot questions, but the “No on 3” effort has almost been a no-show in the cash war. Question 3 would ban the sale of eggs, veal or pork from animals raised in confined spaces [Politico].
