Obama budget irks Oklahoma delegation
BY CHRIS CASTEEL
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama’s first budget would cut payments to some farmers and raise taxes on oil and gas companies.The proposals — most of which would have to be approved by Congress — drew swift reaction from members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation and industry groups.
Rep. Frank Lucas, the top Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, fired off a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack protesting the proposed cuts in direct payments to farmers that have more than $500,000 in annual revenue.