Wednesday, February 12, 2014
OKLAHOMA CITY - Governor Mary Fallin today thanked the Senate Appropriations Committee for quickly advancing Senate Bill 2044, a bond measure that would provide $160 million to repair the crumbling State Capitol.
“My thanks go out to the lawmakers today who voted to support urgently needed repairs to the State Capitol,” said Fallin. “It is impossible to overstate how desperately the Capitol needs fixing. The facade is crumbling and represents a hazard to employees and visitors. The electrical system is outdated and dangerous, and sewage is literally leaking into our basement. A building that should make Oklahomans proud has become an embarrassment.
“Luckily, the Senate has acted today to pursue a fiscally responsible, commonsense solution. A bond issue would allow us to immediately begin repairs without draining large sums of money from other government priorities, like education and public safety. Furthermore, 41 percent of the state’s bond indebtedness will come off the books in 2018, and over 86 percent will be eliminated in the next 13 years. Even with a Capitol repairs bond, the state is on track to reduce its overall debt.
“It’s my hope this bill moves quickly through both Legislative chambers so I can sign it into law and we can begin restoring the People’s House.”
Governor Fallin proposed a bond for repairs to the Oklahoma State Capitol in her 2014 Executive Budget and her State of the State Address.
SB 2044 is authored by Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman and carried by Sen. Greg Treat.