The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Board of Directors today announced the 2014 OKFB 100 Percent Club members. The award is based on a 100 percent voting record on key Farm Bureau legislative measures during the 2014 Oklahoma legislative session. “This honor is given to those legislators who support Farm Bureau’s mission to protect personal property rights, keep taxes low and boost agricultural and rural business,” said John Collison, OKFB vice president of public policy and media relations. “We greatly appreciate their leadership at the state Capitol this year.” The following 20 senators received the designation: Mark Allen, Don Barrington, Brian Bingman, […]

As the Oklahoma primary election approaches on June 24, the OKAgFund today announced its endorsement of 21 candidates running for election in state Senate and House races.  The OKAgFund, Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s political action committee, is made up of OKFB members from across the state who identify candidates who demonstrate beliefs and actions that are consistent with OKFB policies, regardless of political affiliation. While the OKAgFund contributes financially to several state campaigns, an endorsement is the highest level of support the committee gives to select candidates.   “Agriculture is one of Oklahoma’s top producing industries, and it is essential that […]

Despite a late-night reconsideration and passing by the House Thursday, HJR 1092 was defeated in the Senate today 16-25. Oklahoma Farm Bureau thanks those senators who voted to turn down the measure that would have increased Oklahoma ad valorem taxes to build storm shelters in schools. The House originally defeated HJR 1092 by a substantial 34-61 vote Thursday afternoon, but it then passed with 51 votes Thursday night. “This was an unfortunate case of political power undermining what’s best for Oklahoma communities, but we are glad to see that at the end of the day, our legislators understand the negative […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau applauds the Oklahoma legislature for passing HB 2562 Thursday, which reduces an approaching gross production tax rate increase on horizontal wells and also applies an equal rate to traditional vertical wells. Under the new law, horizontal wells will be subject to a tax incentive program to reduce the effective gross production rate to 2 percent for the first 36 months of production and then increase to 7 percent. The same law will be applied to vertical wells, which are currently taxed at 7 percent. The bill replaces an expiring incentive program and prevents the gross production tax […]

As more than $15 million in May 2013 tornado relief funds sit idle, Oklahoma Farm Bureau strongly encourages legislative members to defeat HJR 1092, a measure that would increase Oklahoma ad valorem taxes to build storm shelters in schools. “Our members live and work in many of the communities too often affected by tornadoes and violent weather, so we are certainly not overlooking the need for storm shelters in our schools,” said John Collison, OKFB vice president of public policy and media relations. “We are just asking the legislature to consider the millions of donated dollars still available before looking […]