House Defeats Plans For Capitol Repairs
Oklahoma House defeats bond issue for state Capitol repairs
By Randy Ellis
A proposal to issue $160 million in bonds to repair the crumbling state Capitol was soundly defeated Tuesday by the state House of Representatives.
The vote was 34-62.
State Rep. Skye McNiel, R-Bristow, served notice that she may bring the bill up for another vote later, but the large margin of defeat would seem to indicate Legislators may have to look elsewhere if they want to fund repairs.
House Speaker Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview, said he hopes the state Senate will consider approving a resolution he authored calling for a public vote on the issuance of $120 million in bonds to finance Capitol repairs.
“The people could vote on it in November, this being an election year,” Hickman said.