Senate Leader Urging $20M For Oklahoma Capitol Fix

Republicans in the Oklahoma Senate are proposing a $20 million appropriation this year to begin repairs to the state Capitol.

Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman suggested in a letter Thursday to Gov. Mary Fallin and House Speaker Kris Steele that a supplemental appropriation bill could be passed on Friday to begin initial repairs to the building.

Bingman says Senate Republicans believe the funding could be used to address those repairs deemed "most critical and time sensitive."

A proposed $200 million bond issue to repair the Capitol and nearby buildings was shot down Wednesday in the House.

An engineering study of the nearly 100-year-old Capitol suggested it needs an estimated $140 million worth of repairs that include replacing its outdated electrical and plumbing systems.