In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays continues his conversation with Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey about building relationships with newly elected lawmakers, priorities for the 2027 legislative session and the importance of agriculture having a voice in state policy decisions.
OCA Works to Build Relationships Before Elections
As Oklahoma prepares for a new group of lawmakers, Kelsey says building relationships before election day is an important part of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association’s strategy.
He says the organization works to connect with candidates early rather than waiting until they take office. “We just try as best we can to not build a relationship after an election,” Kelsey said. “We try to build relationships before the election.”
Kelsey says those relationships are important for developing policy, holding individual and group meetings, and inviting candidates to OCA events throughout the state.
He adds that the organization does not wait until the legislative session begins in February to start working with elected officials. “It’s key to develop those relationships, and that started a long time ago, both for us and for NCBA as well,” Kelsey said.
Property Rights, Water and Taxes Among Legislative Priorities
Looking ahead to the 2027 legislative session, Kelsey expects several issues to receive attention at the Capitol.
Private property rights will be an important discussion, particularly as Oklahoma considers projects involving data centers, solar farms and the proposed Inola aluminum smelter. “Private property rights are again going to take a very important role in how data centers, things of that nature,” Kelsey said.
Property taxes are also a concern Kelsey says lawmakers are hearing from constituents. He pointed to State Question 847 as one factor that could influence how legislators approach property tax policy.
Water will remain another major issue for Oklahoma agriculture. “Water, we know, is going to be a major discussion point. Will be for the rest of my life, certainly my career, and my life, our lives, because it’s just such a precious resource,” Kelsey said.
Tax policy is also on the radar, with Kelsey noting that the outcome of the governor’s race could influence the direction of future discussions.
While he does not necessarily expect major tax policy changes during the next session, he anticipates lawmakers will begin addressing broader tax proposals. “We’re gonna have a busy session, Ron,” Kelsey said.
Oklahoma Agriculture Looks Ahead to New Governor
Kelsey says OCA feels good about the agricultural leadership already established in the Oklahoma House and Senate, pointing to Speaker Kyle Hilbert and Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton as strong supporters of agriculture.
He says the organization looks forward to working with their leadership teams and the Legislature as a whole. “We’ve got good leadership there, so I think we can rely upon that we’re going to have good discussions. We’re going to have some sensible policy, but it’s going to be talked about,” Kelsey said. “We need to be at the table and need to be representing agriculture as a whole.”
However, Kelsey says the next governor will also have an important role in shaping the future of Oklahoma agriculture through the appointment of a new secretary of agriculture.
He praised current Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur’s leadership and says OCA hopes that level of leadership will continue under the next administration. “The new governor will establish the secretary of agriculture, and that is a key, key, key position for us in Oklahoma agriculture,” Kelsey said.
Kelsey says that position will be especially important as the state addresses animal disease concerns, petition initiatives and other issues affecting farmers and ranchers over the next four to eight years.
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.
