Staff
A House committee reported out a bill to appropriate $40 million to the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum today, with all but one Oklahoma City legislator voting “no.”The measure, Senate Bill 1132, garnered 13 votes in favor, with 10 members of the committee voting against it.
Rep. Jason Nelson, R-OKC, passionately lead the opposition to the bill in committee, saying his constituents would wonder “what the hell he was thinking” if he voted in favor of the funding. Joining him in opposition were fellow Oklahoma City Representatives Sally Kern, a Republican, and Richard Morrissette, a Democrat.
Rep. Mike Christian, R-OKC, was the only Oklahoma City legislator to vote in favor of the measure.
The Cultural Center has enjoyed tens of millions of dollars in support from state government and the City of Oklahoma City, but was mothballed last year due to a lack of further funding.
Backers of the project include a “who’s who” list of the Oklahoma City business community, who argue the project will bring jobs and economic development to the city.
However, it appears their efforts of persuasion were most effective with members of the committee from anywhere but Oklahoma City. Carrying the measure were twelve Republicans from Norman, Moore, Mustang, Lawton and rural areas, along with one Democrat from Southwest Oklahoma.
The measure is now eligible to be heard by the full Senate, which last session failed to pass a bond issue for funding by one vote. If the Senate passes the bill, it will be eligible to be heard by the full House of Representatives.
