Oklahoma School Storm Shelter Proposal Passes Senate Committee

An Oklahoma Senate committee has passed a measure calling for a public vote to allow school districts a one-time increase on bonding capacity to pay for school safety upgrades like storm shelters and safe rooms.

The Senate Rules Committee voted 12-3 for the bill, which now proceeds to the full Senate.

The bill has been touted by Gov. Mary Fallin as a way to allow more districts to pay for safety upgrades.

It calls for a statewide vote on whether to amend the constitution to allow districts to approve a one-time increase in bonding limits.

Fallin’s Democratic opponent, state Rep. Joe Dorman of Rush Springs, is pushing a separate $500 million proposal to pay for storm shelters in schools with revenue from a franchise tax on businesses.