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OKAGPOLICY FEATURE: CONGRESSMAN FRANK LUCAS OFFERS 2018 FARM BILL OVERVIEW
As Congress begins work on the 2018 farm bill, former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas shares his perspective on the process. Lucas serves Oklahoma’s Third Congressional District and is a farmer and rancher from Cheyenne, Oklahoma.
TOP HEADLINES
Trump: I will ask Congress for $1 trillion infrastructure bill:
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he will ask Congress to approve a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, a push that would make good on a key campaign pledge [CNN].
Trump issues order to revamp Obama water rule:
Trump called the Waters of the U.S. rule “one of the worst examples of federal regulation,” that showed the government had “truly run amok” [Politico].
EPA chief: ‘Help is on the way’ for farmers:
The new head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sought to assure the agriculture industry that the agency will start operating in a way more favorable to them and the business community as a whole [The Hill].
He will soon run a fifth of the nation. Meet Ryan Zinke:
President Trump has tapped Mr. Zinke, 55, a House member and fifth-generation Montanan who grew up in this timber-and-tourism community, to be secretary of the interior. He was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 68 to 31 [New York Times].
Firm cuts Oklahoma credit rating over revenue failure:
Oklahoma’s declaration of a revenue failure last week prompted ratings agency Standard & Poor’s to drop the state’s credit ratings one notch Wednesday [NewsOK].
Fallin signs Real ID measure:
Oklahoma can now become compliant with the Real ID Act, which will eventually let residents board commercial flights, visit military bases and enter federal buildings despite heightened restrictions [NewsOK].
CAPITOL CONVERSATIONS: Q&A WITH REP. CASEY MURDOCK
We sat down with Rep. Casey Murdock to hear about legislation he’s authored this year including bills dealing with drone use on agricultural land, swine feeding operations, state agency audits and more [OKAgPolicy].
BILLS WE’RE WATCHING
SB118 by Sen. Roger Thompson and Sen. Earl Sears: Amends current statutes pertaining tax credits for zero emission facilities and the amount that may be used or refunded.
SB345 by Sen. David Holt: Allows municipalities to create protection districts which may levy assessments on property to support the district to assist with public safety expenses.
SB514 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski: Requires the State Department of Education to study shared administrative services of school districts; requires the State Department of Education to establish districts to provide shared services to certain school districts.
HB1013 by Rep. Josh Cockroft, Sen. A.J. Griffin: Removes supervising physician requirement for certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives and Clinical nurse specialists to prescribe medication.
HB1374 by Rep. Weldon Watson: Allows municipalities to create Public Safety Protection Districts.
MEET THE LEGISLATOR: SPEAKER PRO TEM HAROLD WRIGHT
Meet House Speaker Pro Tem Harold Wright. In this week’s Meet the Legislator Video, Wright shares his priorities for the 2017 session, along with the importance of advocating for rural Oklahoma. A native of Weatherford, Wright represents House District 57 including Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian and Custer counties.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 6-7: OKFB Legislative Leadership Conference – Oklahoma City
March 28-April 2: OKFB Congressional Action Tour – Washington, D.C.
April 9-10: OKFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Legislative Day – Oklahoma City
