Michael McNutt
The Oklahoman
Rep. Joe Dorman is calling for a $500 million bond issue to address the shortage.
Dorman, D-Rush Springs, said he is working on legislation that would provide $400 million of the bond issue to pay for storm shelters in public schools. The remaining $100 million would fund a program to assist homeowners and group home facilities with building storm shelters.
“We need to provide some funding to help build storm shelters, especially in schools,” he said.
“I would hope the idea has bipartisan appeal.”
Dorman said the debt service of a $500 million bond issue would be about $30 million annually.
State leaders could use $30 million earmarked in the upcoming fiscal year budget to make building repairs to make the bond payments, he said.
House Speaker T.W. Shannon, R-Lawton, has expressed a disdain for bond issues overall.
“I would think this would be an exception,” Dorman said.
A spokesman for Shannon had no comment on Dorman’s proposal.
Dorman said under House rules, leadership can still introduce new money bills.
“I have put in the request for the bill to be drafted, but it will have to be proposed by either the presiding officer of a legislative body or the appropriations chair,” Dorman said.
“I will be speaking to House leaders and asking them to propose this bill or another like it this session. We have until May 31 to take action on legislative changes for this year, and a minimum of five legislative days is required to pass a new law.”
Just when I thought the democrats were waking up…. then here comes another stupid proposal.
The STATE doesn’t need to build these safe rooms in the schools. The LOCAL School districts need to build these safe rooms and the LOCAL citizens pay for protecting their students. I’d vote YES on a bond issue in my LOCAL school district to include these safe rooms. It’s better use of money than the current practice of building clock towers, cute atriums, or lavish entries.
It’s time to be fiscally responsible citizens and take care of our own… including our LOCAL schools!
2 things:
1. Edmond Voter – you are absolutely correct – school boards and superintendents seem to be more concerned about the aesthetics of their new palaces instead of tax payer monies intended to be used for education. This attitude is rampant. Athletic facilities are getting more obscene every day too.
2. Rep. Dank is also absolutely correct – tax credits are stealing funds from much more worth-while projects, especially our school systems.