In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Michael Kelsey, who says the clock is ticking fast for cattle industry priorities as the Oklahoma legislative session nears its end.
A Shortened Timeline at the Capitol
With a state budget already agreed to, Kelsey says lawmakers could wrap up the session much earlier than expected—putting added pressure on remaining policy priorities.
“Time is everything right now, we’ve got a shortened timeline now, so it’s just going to be critical,” Kelsey said. “The timing is the critical point, and that’s what it’s all going to be about for the next couple of weeks.”
That accelerated pace is already impacting long-standing events like Beef Day at the Capitol.
“Beef Day at the Capitol is May 5… and there’s rumors of them trying to sine die by May 1. And so we may have to figure out an alternative,” he said. “That’s important… very important.”
Property Tax Relief Front and Center
One of the top issues for the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association is ad valorem—or property tax—relief, especially with concerns surrounding State Question 843.
“We’ve got this state question… that would eliminate property taxes on residential only—very, very bad state question for rural Oklahoma agriculture,” Kelsey said.
He pointed to a legislative alternative gaining traction that would slow the rate of property tax increases.
“One key is a constitutional amendment that would lower the maximum annual adjustment on residential houses from 3% to 1%, and then on all others, from five to three,” he explained. “That one is kind of gaining the most momentum… and that’s really important for us to do.”
Other Key Industry Priorities
Beyond tax policy, Kelsey says several additional bills remain on OCA’s priority list—but all are racing against the clock.
“We’ve got an open pastures roads bill… some cleanup language… and then also grabs some language for lease… so my animals would be protected, or the liability would be protected,” he said.
Another priority focuses on qualifications for the state veterinarian.
“State veterinarian requirement… would require that the state veterinarian have large animal experience. We think that’s very, very appropriate and important.”
Still, Kelsey emphasized that anything beyond the state budget is not guaranteed.
“The legislature is only constitutionally required to do a budget… everything else is fluff, if you will,” he said.
Agriculture’s Position This Session
Despite the unusual pace and political distractions, Kelsey says agriculture has fared relatively well this year.
“I feel pretty good, to be honest with you,” he said. “We went into this session… with everybody talking about the election and nobody really talking about substantive policy.”
Even with shifting political dynamics, including a surprise shakeup at the federal level, Kelsey believes progress has been made.
“We’ve been able to move the needle a little bit and get some good things going down the stretch,” he said. “Just a matter of time, if we can get them across the finish line.”
As the session heads toward a possible early adjournment, Kelsey says the focus remains on pushing key legislation through before time runs out.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR above for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
