Oklahoma Senators Renew Opposition To Museum Bonds

Two members of the Oklahoma Senate say there aren't enough votes to pass a bill that would authorize $40 million in bonds to finish the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum.

Republican Sens. Cliff Aldridge of Midwest City and Patrick Anderson of Enid said Thursday a total of 14 GOP senators have pledged to vote against the bill. Aldridge says 16 Democrats in the 48-member Senate have said they also will not support the bill as long as Republicans keep pushing for tax cuts. But Aldridge says Republicans are committed to tax cuts.

Aldridge says the state has already issued $63 million in bonds for the project and annual bond payments total $5.5 million. He says another $40 million bond issue would increase the annual bond payments to $9 million.

5/8/2012 Related Story: Governor Fallin Pushes For American Indian Museum Bond Money