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
Fertile debate grows over Oklahoma ballot measure to provide constitutional protection for agriculture:
Oklahoma farmers say the statewide ballot measure that would embed rights for agriculture in the state constitution is vital to protecting their industry, but they face opposition from a variety of groups [The Oklahoman].
Right to Farm – eating emotion:
Clawing to defeat the measures are a coalition of out-of-state environmental organizations like the Humane Society and Sierra Club bent on forcing uneducated, impractical and unworkable stock and land management methods on experienced ranchers and farmers [Canada Free Press].
STATE
High-ranking infrastructure congressman tours Tulsa with Mayor-elect Bynum:
Mayor-elect G.T. Bynum took Pennsylvania Congressman Bill Shuster, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, on a tour of Tulsa’s infrastructure accomplishments and needs Sunday [Tulsa World].
Oklahoma could have highest sales tax burden if State Question 779 is OK’d:
More specifically, Brown said he sees a dangerous precedent forming if SQ 779 is approved by voters. “Probably, to me, the biggest fear is cities and towns not having the ability to pass a sales tax for some much-needed project, something like a water project or something that is important for all citizens,” Brown said. “If you’re already at 10-plus percent (sales tax), voters are probably not going to be very excited about passing another penny or half-cent tax, whatever it may be” [The Oklahoman].
FEDERAL
Farm Bureau works on farm bill options:
AFBF President Zippy Duvall appointed a group of 16 state Farm Bureau staff members and two AFBF staff to serve on a Farm Bill Working Group. The Working Group’s charge is to examine the issues, information gaps and analysis needs to ensure we are ready to engage in the development of a new farm bill [AFBF].
Avoiding a collision (opinion):
Any trip to a supermarket or restaurant these days would suggest that many safe, effective, science-based and common practices in agriculture are on a collective collision course with expectations down the food chain about how food “ought” to be produced [National Milk Producers Federation].
EU and US trade negotiators seek to get TTIP talks back on track:
Trade negotiators will meet in New York next week to search for common ground on the controversial EU-US trade deal, which has been buffeted by strong opposition on both sides of the Atlantic [The Guardian].
