My 2 Cents: Public Art

Kelly Ogle, News 9

I'm no artist...trust me, but I've really come to appreciate public art, and in particular the state's efforts to beautify public projects.

You've seen the road projects with decorative concrete on the bridges, public buildings with art work outside.

I've been a vocal supporter of the law requiring tax dollars to be spent essentially beautifying public building projects.

I'm disappointed that the Oklahoma House of Representatives voted to suspend that law for three years, but it was the right thing to do.

It wasn't even close. The vote was 69-20.

The author of the bill said it's hard to justify spending tax dollars on art when schools face funding cuts and state employees are facing furloughs because of a half billion dollar budget shortfall.

Agreed. If you're having trouble just making your house payment, you don't go out and splurge on new curtains for the place.

Hopefully the economy will rebound before three years is up, and Oklahoma can resume it's public beautification campaign.

Leave Kelly Your 2 Cents, tell us where you're from, and he could read your comments on air.