State Capitol renovation costs are double that of Oklahoma budget

by Sara Ritsch
Staff Writer

While Oklahoma teacher pay is nearly the lowest in the country and the state faces a $611 million dollar budget shortfall, Governor Mary Fallin wants to fund renovations of the State Capitol in a $120 million additional expenditure.

This price in itself may be a shortfall, unable to cover the cost of the four-column arch that Fallin envisions as a part of the lengthy renovations.

According to Tulsa World, “The State Capitol Repair Expenditure Oversight Committee was told it [would] take an additional $122 million to make the needed repairs. Another $65 million would provide for a three-story parking garage, a reflecting pool and an archway for a to-be-built park on the Capitol grounds.”

In a statement to The Gayly from Governor Fallin, she says, “I’m reviewing the suggestions and proposals drawn up by contractors. We knew all along that the $120 million bond issue approved last year would be insufficient to repair and address all of the Capitol’s structural, security and safety issues. We need to be sure to address the essential items first.”

Senator John Sparks, Democrat, is not on-board with the cost of renovations. He noted to Tulsa World that Oklahoma is short about 1,000 certified teachers, which is mainly due to the education system’s insufficient funding.

In the oppositional opinion of many, that cost could be spent on education and teacher salary rather than on an ostentatious set of arches.

Shawna Lewis, an Oklahoma middle school teacher, speaks her side. “There are so many underprivileged schools that need renovations first. There are countless students that go without up-to-date books, lunches, dress code approved clothing, and more.

“Oklahoma is ranked one of the lowest in education,” she continues. “We are ranked 49th in average teacher pay. While Oklahoma has good education programs at the collegiate level, many who graduate leave the state to find higher salaries.

“If we want to keep the most effective teachers in the state to expand the minds of the future, we need to start making changes. We can start by eliminating unnecessary spending and putting that money towards something that will have a lasting effect on the citizens of Oklahoma.”

Arches, to many, will not make an effect on the future of Oklahoma.

Fallin disagrees. “A bond issue to pay for additional costs is a good option because interest rates are low and about 40 percent of the state’s bond indebtedness comes off the books in 2018…We should keep in mind that the first comprehensive, coordinated repair work is underway at our Capitol, which will be 100 years old in two years.”

Is Oklahoma making a choice between renovation and education?

The Gayly – 12/7/2015 @ 1:22 p.m. CST