House Kills Bond Issue For Oklahoma Capitol Repairs

A plan to issue $200 million in bonds for repairs to the state Capitol and several nearby state buildings has been overwhelmingly shot down in the Oklahoma House.

House members voted 77-15 against the plan on Wednesday after some argued it was fiscally irresponsible to borrow that much money while the state was considering tax cuts.

Meanwhile, the Senate defeated a plan to issue $40 million in bonds to complete the unfinished American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City but approved a $20 million bond proposal for a popular culture museum in downtown Tulsa.

Barricades have been erected to block visitors from accessing the Capitol's south steps because chunks of limestone and mortar could fall from the crumbling facade. The Jim Thorpe Building also needs repairs.