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NOVEMBER BALLOT FINALIZED WITH SEVEN STATE QUESTIONS
Oklahoma voters will decide the fate of seven state questions at the ballot box in November. State questions were required to receive an election proclamation from Gov. Mary Fallin by Aug. 26 to be voted on in the upcoming general election [OKAgPolicy].
TOP HEADLINES
OKC Council tells voters to study effect of SQ 777:
The council voted Tuesday for a tepid resolution urging voters to “carefully study” the implications of State Question 777, the “right-to-farm” measure on the Nov. 8 ballot [The Oklahoman].
STATE
Voters to decide the fate of seven state questions:
Voters on Nov. 8 will decide the fate of seven state questions. One of the more controversial is State Question 777, a measure that would make it more difficult for lawmakers to pass regulations governing farming and ranching [Tulsa World].
Local bankers confounded by White House report:
Oklahoma bankers are confounded by a recent report by the White House’s Council of Economic Advisors that says community banks are in better standing after six years of Dodd-Frank [Journal Record].
FEDERAL
Fall looking quiet for ag on Capitol Hill (audio):
Congress returns to Washington this week after seven weeks back home. Avoiding a government shutdown is sure to take up a good deal of time before the fiscal year comes to a close at the end of the month [Agri-Pulse].
GMO labeling law could stir a revolution:
Big food and its allies spent roughly $100 million to counter the movement to force the labeling of foods produced with genetically modified organisms. And one could argue that they were successful: President Obama recently signed the weakest labeling law imaginable, and to most of the food movement, this felt like a loss. But to be optimistic, perhaps rashly so, to me the law looks like a victory wrapped inside a defeat [New York Times].
USDA boosts funding for farm operating loans to ease credit crunch:
USDA’s Farm Service Agency announced today that it is offering some much-needed relief to financially stressed farmers by making an additional $185 million worth of direct and guaranteed loans available in the short remainder of this fiscal year [Agri-Pulse].
MISCELLANEOUS
American shoppers enjoying streak of falling food prices:
American shoppers are enjoying what could be the longest streak of falling food prices in a half century. That’s good, if you’re buying a shopping cart full of groceries, but it’s not so good for farmers [CBS News].
Farm downturn doesn’t mean the end for beginning farmers:
Getting started in farming has always been difficult, but the recent collapse in corn and soybean prices makes it that much harder, experts say [Des Moines Register].
