The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

I'm interested to see what options she'll accept in order to get the capital repaired.

Governor Tours Crumbling Capitol Building

http://www.ktul.com/story/20617316/governor-tours-crumbling-capitol-building?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter (http://www.ktul.com/story/20617316/governor-tours-crumbling-capitol-building?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)


Will she be willing to share money with Tulsa?

Will she take federal medical care money and slide it on over?

Will she have private talks with the OHP?

Can't hardly wait to find out.

Can't you get a new capital for $160 Million?

I'm sure some donors in Tulsa would pay for it if they built it here.

Sounds like we need that tax cut more than ever.

Mary Fallin was looking the building over and it does seem to be in need of repair. The electrical panels are in poor shape and cement is crumbling. It can be a hazzard for state employees.

What should she do about it Sauer?

Why can't they just use the Staples Center on non-game days.

Maybe we should have used that money spent on adding the dome to fixing the place up.

Actually, the dome was funded entirely with private funds, IIRC.  Perhaps we could put on another public appeals drive for repairs.

Governments by their interpretations can create money by increasing its debt ceiling.

They also could deed it back to the Native Americans again and allow them to install gaming machines.   The dealers are already installed on table games.

Our roads and bridges are crumbling too, and don't get me started on state funding for education.  I suggest renting a bunch of FEMA trailers and parking them on the capitol grounds.

"GREAT JOB, BROWNIE!!!"

If we want to be a Conservative Republican model of small, efficient, effective, moral government... well, I don't see where a fancy, huge stone and marble monolith has a place in that?    

The best example of that IMHO would be a modern, energy efficient, built to do the job thats needed, easy to maintain, well built/long lasting, structure.  If that equals a long, low lying, glass and steel structure, so be it, that's what we should have. I would be proud to point to that, show the rest of the world and say "This is how it should be done. This is right and good."  That would be something Oklahoma could be proud of and show off to the rest of the world.

I can't help but be reminded of the time years ago when I was watching the news and hearing about some government official in the newly formed Iraq government.  He was sitting in a fancy office behind a new, gold and ornately carved desk while people outside were hungry and without working electricity and water services. From the conversation it seemed as if he thought that for his position he deserved/should have this type of "set up" to reflect his "stature".  I was thinking "There is chaos outside, you should be working your arse off trying to fix things, and if need be the best example for your people and for what it means to be an elected official in a democracy, SERVING YOUR PEOPLE AND USING THEIR TAX DOLLARS WISELY... might well be you having nothing but a card table and a fold up chair!"  That would be how you could really show those people of Iraq what good governance and democracy is about.  
  
It sickens me to hear our Republican politicians talk the talk of smaller, conservative, efficient, cut taxes government, cutting Democrats down at every slightest hint of possible waste... and then have those very same conservatives possibly turn around and ask to fund something that we all know is really only about vanity.  And not vanity in a "good way" aka, setting a positive example for good, moral governance, but shallow "surface" vanity pure and simple.

  If private businesses, donors, etc. want to donate to fund this project, sure, fine.  Otherwise, sell the building, or sell it for scrap, whatever, and then build something else for less than the repair costs would be and that costs less to maintain and run.  That would show the world that we are not just a government and state that talks the talk, but one that also walks the walk.  Modern, efficient, effective, moral government.      

Glass buildings and card tables? Sorry, I love that building. I've visited it several times over my life and always have been impressed. It was just "standard public building" when it was built with standard reverence for quality workmanship, materials and style.

Although I understand the need for frugal, efficient government, tearing down public structures that need deferred maintenance and replacing them with utilitarian steel and glass boxes would imply that art, history, architecture, sophistication and a physical reverence for democracy are frills we don't need. If so don't bother with statues or monuments either. Unless we can somehow make them pay for themselves.

While I'm generally pro smaller government, I can't imagine doing away with the grandeur of government buildings. I love the tradition and reverance that is associated with government. The history contained in the buildings is absolutely fascinating as well.

There are many things that could be done away with. Beautiful and historic buildings are not one of them.

Oklahoma Capitol Building Under Construction
This photo, taken by a 4 year old in 1916, shows the Oklahoma City capitol building under construction.

(http://0.tqn.com/d/okc/1/0/q/8/Capitol.jpg)

http://okc.about.com/od/factsandinformation/ig/Historic-Photos-of-OKC/Under-Construction.htm (http://okc.about.com/od/factsandinformation/ig/Historic-Photos-of-OKC/Under-Construction.htm)

Oklahoma City Capitol Oil Well
A producing oil well sat in front of the Oklahoma City capitol building for some time, as evidenced by this photo taken in 1939.

(http://0.tqn.com/d/okc/1/7/r/8/Capitol2.jpg)

Now:

(http://www.thelostogle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/south-oklahoma-capitol-steps.jpg)


And at this time next year if we don't get a move on:

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gMzDxet36sw/Trwhhe05xlI/AAAAAAAADGc/wQ7Gv29Sg1E/s1600/Future-U.S.Capitol.jpg)

If no one is getting hurt, or at risk, now is not the time for lipstick.

Irrespective of the view of the proper size, scope and role of government, I think most Oklahomans recognize and understand the importance of the grandeur of our State Capitol building.  It is not only the seat of the executive and legislative branches of government, but it is also a symbol of much history of us as a state and its appearances says a lot about us going forward.  Save the utilitarian rectangular plain concrete and glass buildings for the many government workers who tend to the gears of the bureaucracy, the Capitol building needs to be something special and significant.

The 5 Worst State Capitol Buildings

http://www.statesurge.com/news/top-5-ugliest-state-capitols.

North Dakota
(http://www.statesurge.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/north-dakota-state-capitol.jpg)

New Mexico
(http://www.statesurge.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/newmexicocapitolsantafe.jpg)

Oregon
(http://www.statesurge.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/oregon_state_capitol_building.jpg)

Hawaii
(http://www.statesurge.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/hawaii-state-capitol-building.jpg)

Alaska
(http://www.statesurge.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/alaskas-capitol-building1.jpg)

And on the opposite side:

Iowa getting crazy:

(http://www.igsb.uiowa.edu/browse/buildngs/stcap1.gif)

and New York

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/NYSCapitolPanorama.jpg/800px-NYSCapitolPanorama.jpg)

Well, I'm not a big fan of Nebraska's state capital, it's one tall 400' tower, no dome or nothing. It does not look bad but it does not look like a state capital. Nebraska has no senate or house, it's one big unit combined into one. Oh Well...

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Nebraska_State_Capitol_Highsmith.jpeg/750px-Nebraska_State_Capitol_Highsmith.jpeg)

Derpy derp.

Looks a little phallic, er penal to me.

Wouldn't the dome have to be bigger than, oh never mind.

Oklahoma State Capitol Evacuated

http://www.newson6.com/story/20934628/state-capitol-evacuated-following-bomb-threat (http://www.newson6.com/story/20934628/state-capitol-evacuated-following-bomb-threat)

(http://kwtv.images.worldnow.com/images/20934628_BG2.jpg)

OKLAHOMA CITY - Hundreds of people are forced to evacuate the State Capitol, but officials are not yet confirming why.
Pilot Jim Gardner flew over the scene Friday morning in Bob Mills SkyNews 9 HD. There was reportedly a bomb threat to the building, but officials have not confirmed that information.

The State Capitol was filled with school children because it's Colonial Day. The students are learning about the Colonial period in American history, so they are dressed up in period costumes.

Un-planned implosion?

Sadly, my first thought was a crazed plan by Fallin.

And what's with children dressing up like punctuation marks?  I guess it's better than wearing jeans around the knees.

Bomb Threat at State Capitol

http://kwgs.com/post/bomb-threat-state-capitol-0 (http://kwgs.com/post/bomb-threat-state-capitol-0)

Ooh, we have undisclosed locations, too! Maybe Cheney will come back for another visit. ;)

Foundation damaged by earthquake?

Shhhh, the Lortons will want to tear it down!

Oklahoma Capitol Could Receive $160 Million Face Lift

http://kwgs.com/post/oklahoma-capitol-could-receive-160-million-face-lift (http://kwgs.com/post/oklahoma-capitol-could-receive-160-million-face-lift)

They will just use it to build a 780ft tall monument of the ten commandments.

That's apparently what the OK state capital is.

  How many people work in the State Capital building? 

First off when you talk about the historic and or artistic importance of (just tax credits even) repairing buildings in Tulsa like the Tulsa Club for instance, conservatives point out that this is not what government tax dollars should be concerned with. 

So going with that kind of thinking, I don't think there should be any similarly irrelevant historic or artistic "sentiment" applied to the Capital Building either.  The proper functions and concerns of government would work better imo in a smaller, energy efficient, less expensive building.  It would likely cost less to build a new, modern office building and maintain that than to repair this old building and maintain it.  If your going to say your fiscally conservative, smaller government etc. then you can't just apply that to things others want and not to things you want.

Perfect, and well stated. There is plenty of lease space in downtown OKC that would serve them well.

  I think our local legislators should fight against this unless we get something in return, cause basically as I see it, in effect OKC is getting a hundred million plus boost to their economy (employing construction workers, contractors, and getting to keep a "historic/architectural/art attraction" etc.) and a good chunk of that money will come from the Tulsa area.  It's not going to do us a danged bit of good here in Tulsa, and it will cost us… sooo… where is our bit?  What are they going to do for us in a like manner?  How much ya wanna bet nothin?  We just get screwed again while they laugh at us for letting them.  And knowing them just to rub salt in the wound they might at the same time vote to sell the rail line to Tulsa lol.  

 I think it would be nice for us to get say 30 or 40 mill as our part to get the OK Pop museum going as one idea.  Or, even better, that amount in interest free loans from the state to get some of our historic buildings rehabbed into useable office or living/retail spaces would be a nice touch.
 

When I was a grade school child I remember a "Weekly Reader" issue that explained how the White House had been burned and rebuilt. Then, much of it later taken down laboriously block by block and rebuilt again because of (what we were told) was foundation issues. The cost each time was borne by taxpayers from Cali to New England without much squawk. Those extant generations understood the common good. Thats gone.

We Okies are so hypocritical. I know Artist is angry that little brother Tulsa keeps getting hind teat. I understand his railing at conservatives for their ignorant behavior. I even understand the failed logic of Gasman's dreams of office buildings spread throughout the state for state business. Its a lovely little naive plan that, like most Libertarian pipe dreams, seems so ....ingenious...at first glance. Hey! Lets outsource the capitol's business to off shore and just do it all by twitter and Facebook? Cool.

I don't understand why nearly all our representatives from this bastion of sophistication are still republicans who sell us down the road every chance they get. Trade for a railroad? That railroad is now destined for freight hauling while the sold out success of passenger trips from Sapalupa to Suburban OKC is still fresh.
And our local mayor is hesitant to sign a nonbinding request to big brother for passenger service that our surrounding cities endorse? Who understands that?

Thank you sir! May I have another?

I couldn't get passed this. Is this your class picture?

(http://splashurl.com/ll4cbng)

That's me in the middle, arguing with the instructor. Life was good. We were pioneering the original tablets at the time!

To clarify, are you considering the rebuild of the OK state capital building part of the common good?

Oklahoma House Defeats Bond Issue to Repair Capitol

http://kwgs.com/post/oklahoma-house-defeats-bond-issue-repair-capitol (http://kwgs.com/post/oklahoma-house-defeats-bond-issue-repair-capitol)

Sell the unfinished museum and use the proceeds from that. I hear Guido is looking for a more spacious place to live. ;D

I'm thinking this building won't withstand the frackquakes.

Concrete Chunk Falls into Oklahoma Capitol Office

http://kwgs.com/post/concrete-chunk-falls-oklahoma-capitol-office (http://kwgs.com/post/concrete-chunk-falls-oklahoma-capitol-office)

It has been a mess for years, and yet the failed Governor and Legislature can't seem to understand that "common good" thing for the Capital, as well as storm shelters in schools, roads, rail, or infrastructure in general...  but they are ALL about their tax cuts and cutting funds for education!!

How is this a "common good" thing?  Wouldn't it be better, less expensive and more efficient, to occupy a more modern office building?

How is repairing this building going to help me?

Pride in the state...??  I don't know...I couldn't care less about that building, just threw it in with all the other stuff to be a good, patriotic citizen...  I would prefer a well built office building for those clowns - and they don't deserve even that, but we should at least appear better than something out of the comic books.  Oh, wait....too late!!

The rest of that stuff IS important, and being ignored as badly as the Capital....maybe that's it - a symbolic line item with all the others that we just don't give a rat's tail side about....all that good stuff that is drawing in companies in a mad rush to develop here!!

Some would say that it is precisely that loss of grandeur in public buildings which has played a significant part in eroding respect for government, even when it is doing the will of the people.

There's a reason why banks build formidable looking buildings. There is a significant psychological effect on people, both depositors who will feel that their funds are more safe in a granite and marble fortress, and would-be robbers who are less likely to bother when the place looks imposing.

Or for the grandiose ego's of their CEO's....  Check out the large marble fortress' that Arvest uses....

(https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAYH_X1zaV13adYaozLzKjgzVEd0OtDx15xcSoWSVLPf5vifkfaYzZyQjD)

Meh, I think our state government would do fine in a refurbished QT.

I can't tell when people are joking or not on this subject.  Artist, I would think you would be very supportive of restoration of the capital.  Tearing down old buildings (public or not) instead of refurbishing them, is one of the reasons our downtown is the way it is.   

There is a reason that Texas intentionally built their capital to be taller than the US capital.  They understand that a certain "grandness" is essential for state pride.  It's an ego trip, obviously.  But a little more pride and a bigger ego would go a long way towards fixing a lot of the issues in this state.  We can be more than "OK".

   

Take a little more than a patched up capital building. 

The little knowledge of what happens in there destroys any pride a logical person could ever achieve from a pretty building with the 10 commandments and Beelzebub on the lawn.

I’ve got the perfect place in mind to relocate them to

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/05/02/article-2138190-12DF4EEA000005DC-703_470x288.jpg)

It's my frustration that many of the very people who argue against tax credits for instance, to help restore old historic buildings containing significant artistic and cultural value (like the Art Deco, Tulsa Club for instance) and that would actually benefit me, and I think Tulsa for that matter far more than the Capital building would, are the same ones who now are arguing for the restoration of the building they are sitting in… and using the same arguments for fixing it, that they poo poo as irrelevant when we want to preserve our history here.  Grates me to no end.  So I think it's perfectly fair to use the arguments they use against the preservation tax credits, against preserving and restoring the capital.

Bring on the torches and pitchforks and lets do it lol.

Well stated, and I agree with you.  I am very much a proponent of tax credits for restoration instead of tearing down.  But holding aside the idiocy that goes on within the building itself,  it is a symbol and one we should take care of.   Let's fix it, and then maybe we can use that example in future restoration considerations.

And just when everyone thought it was safe to get back in the water - here I come again and bring up the Civic Center - and building the new Crashship in lieu of rebuilding CC first....

That's really apples and oranges though.  Cities like Little Rock and KC were building arenas with twice the capacity of the CC and drawing better concerts.  It was more about draw.  Flawed comparison.  Plus, no arguing that the CrashShip has been a tremendous success...

True, it has.

But we should have still taken care of CC, independently of the whole CrashShip discussion.  Just shows how unimaginative the powers that be are to have to use the decay of CC as part of rationalization....



On a separate note - after hearing about the condition of the Capital, the Satanic statue, and watching Colbert talking about that statue and Oklahoma, and other of the stupid stuff that Failin' and Company are all about - I got this comment from an emigrant from Oklahoma - "And Oklahoma continuing into the downward spiral of awkwardness and weirdness. Is there ever any good news out of Ok?!"

The CC was over 40 years old however when the construction on the new center began.  It had a maximum capacity of less than 10,000.  The Mabee Center was larger by comparison.

I know the CC and the new building quite well, as a hockey season ticket holder since the late nineties.  Nights pieces of the ceiling would fall to the ice.  It was dated.  I liked it, don't get me wrong.  We just needed newer to move forward.

While the BOK Center takes some getting used to, compared to every other venue I've been to, it's a gem.  I've been to the AA Center in Dallas, ScottTrade in St. Louis.  These are comparable sized buildings with one major flaw.  The concourses are TINY.  It's like the Mabee Center on graduation night for Union.  The BOK Center has the most spacious concourses of any building I've ever been to.  Makes it comfortable to move about.

We also needed to fix the CC - way before anything was ever done!!

Much like our roads - this state, county, city entities put stuff off horribly.  We have just now gotten I-44 updated to traffic capacity that was actually needed around 1995.  So we are only 20 years behind or so....   Just like the 45 year old (or so) CC that should have been worked on WAY before.

I agree, but a new facility was needed in order to compete.  I got sick of traveling to Dallas or KC or even Little Rock when I wanted to see a decent concert.  A 9500 seat building won't draw a lot of A-list acts.

We outgrew the CC, plain and simple.  What it functions as now is perfect.

Renovation of the Maxwell house WAS part of the plan with the BOK Center.  It did get renovated.  It really made no sense to renovate it before creating a larger arena. 

At least it was renovated and not plowed under.

3 Named to Oklahoma Capitol Repair Committee

http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/3-named-oklahoma-capitol-repair-committee (http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/3-named-oklahoma-capitol-repair-committee)


Palm, meet grease.  Grease, meet palm...

(http://www.brooklynvegan.com/img/bp/satanic-statue.jpg)

SOP!   FUBAR!  

Standard Operating Procedure.  Ask Grandpa about the second....with one small caveat... starts with Fallin'ed Up....

Anyone call this?

Attorney Challenges Capitol Overhaul Bond Plan

http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/attorney-challenges-capitol-overhaul-bond-plan (http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/attorney-challenges-capitol-overhaul-bond-plan)

holy smokes, let's spend some money people.

Fix the capital building, build the OK POP museum, repair a bridge or two and educate some kids.

What in the world is wrong with this state.

REAL ID support, too, while we're at it -.-

But, but, but....soshulism!

What's wrong is the "Failin'" attitude that is all too pervasive in OK.  Hey, we got our income tax cuts, didn't we!!??   For the top 1%....


Rant on roads;

http://www.tulsanow.org/forum/index.php?topic=13740.msg289990#msg289990

Bond Issue Goes to Supreme Court

http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/bond-issue-goes-supreme-court (http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/bond-issue-goes-supreme-court)

Well of course a bond issue approved by the legislature is constitional. I agree with Gov Fallin on this one: fix the darn capital building.

What a waste of time and money.

I’m a traditionalist and believe we should have a “traditional” capitol building but somewhat agree with Artist’s point though, for $160M, you could renovate or erect a pretty nice office building to hold the capitol offices and chambers which would be a good deal more efficient than the POS they are in now.

Sooooo...move out and sell the current capital to a casino?

BINGO!

Literally. 

One night of my 30th HS reunion was in a banquet room at the Hardrock Saturday night.  Depressing looking at the zombies on the gambling floor below.  You just want to shout: “Go home losers! The house ALWAYS wins!"

Agreed.  Watching a bunch of scraggly haired skeletons in pajamas grinding their teeth is not my thing.

Kansas Company Selected to Repair Oklahoma Capitol

http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/kansas-company-selected-repair-oklahoma-capitol (http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/kansas-company-selected-repair-oklahoma-capitol)

Tulsa Construction Company Picked to Restore Oklahoma Capitol

http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/tulsa-construction-company-picked-restore-oklahoma-capitol (http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/tulsa-construction-company-picked-restore-oklahoma-capitol)

Shock me, Shock me, Shock me...

$120 Million Not Enough for State Capitol Repairs

http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/120-million-not-enough-state-capitol-repairs (http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/120-million-not-enough-state-capitol-repairs)

(http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/kwgs/files/styles/large/public/201402/Capitol_damage.JPG)

If we cut taxes more, will we be able to repair the capital building?

I'm pretty sure the building will start to self repair, play classic rock & roll, and Keith Gordon would become Governor.

So now it sounds like maybe $250 to 300 million may not quite do the job...

And these are the same clowns who cut more than $200 million from education!!  I say let the capitol crumble!!  There is ample room on the lawn to bring in some Mini-Mobiles - let them office in those!!  It's perfectly fine to them if our kids get to go to school in them, so why should they have better offices?

Just so their buddies get a 0.25% tax break!!


Disgusting!

Serious question, because we just did a renovation on this building. Between 1998 and 2002 they finished the dome and restoration work was ongoing since then... until they found the serious cracks in 2014. Most of the structural problems are IN THE DOME.

WHY IS OUR CAPITAL FALLING APART?

The main part is 100 years old, but for a solid structure of steel and stone that isn't really that old. The worst part, the dome, is younger than my high school aged son.

Did we defer maintenance?

Bad designed or poor construction?

Not designed for earthquakes?

It cost $1.5mi to build the thing in 1915. Math tells me that's $35mil in today's dollars. The Dome's total construction cost was $21mil, paid for by our NASCAR like sponsors adorning our public building.

SO--- total cost ~ $50mil.

HOW, in the hell, is it $300,000,000 to fix it?

The building is 450,000 square feet. Ironically, that's $666 per square foot FOR REPAIRS, a new parking garage, a pool and archway.  Devon Tower cost $380 per square foot TO BUILD, and included land acquisition, demolition, parking, etc. The Burj Khalida, the most luxurious and tallest building in the world, cost $450 per square foot to build. You can have my house for $100 a square, and it comes with parking and a hot tub - which is kind of like a pool.

And I am not being at all disingenuous when I say we should let them set up in mobile-mini's.  But if we insist on having a capital building, tear down this old POS and just build new!!

Two big problems - low bid from "good buddy" builders.  And then as we have seen here, after getting into the process, the low bid is found to be 'inadequate' so they come back to say "Please, sir, I want some more..."

As in;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZrgxHvNNUc


And yet....again...we keep electing these clowns...!!

I have changed my opinion on its restoration. Drop the thing and move headquarters into a (soon to be) abandoned oil company tower. Or elect a more intelligent, reality based, honest, pragmatic legislature and governor. Either one is about as likely.

I’m on board with this. The state capital building is ugly anyway, the only redeeming feature is the sculpture at the top. The complex around the capital is even worse and it’s in a miserable part of Oklahoma City.

Kill it with fire. Start over and build a new capital building somewhere else with the $120 million.

State of Sequoyah, with Tulsa as the capital?

There IS a certain unfinished building down along the Oklahoma River that already has had plenty of public funding thrown at it.

Was just thinking the exact same thing. Move into that unfinished museum and then give Tulsa the repair budget to build the OKPOP and some public transit.

I'd have to assume that would not be greasing the desired palms.

I would agree with this course of action though.

Maybe they could use parts of the ten commandments statue for patching material on the capital.

House, Senate GOP Caucuses hold Retreats, Focus on Budget

http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/house-senate-gop-caucuses-hold-retreats-focus-budget (http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/house-senate-gop-caucuses-hold-retreats-focus-budget)


How can they believe that the capital building is so important to those of us without a voice?

Failin' has led the charge to cut education by 25% in the last few years - now is using this contrived budget shortfall (due entirely to her and the legislature's incompetence and mismanagement) to cut another 4% or so.... yeah, we're doing fine, Oklahoma....Oklahoma (no longer) OK!!

Actually, I think the new Oklahoma motto should be "Oklahoma...just meh.."

  We have known for a LONG time that oil in Oklahoma is on the way out, one way or the other.  And thus we have known for a long time that we will have to begin, sooner rather than later, working to create an economy built on other things.

Why we are where we are now is very frustrating.

We hit it big at the casino again for nine of the last ten years.  What the legislators forget is what every degenerate gambler does: the house always wins and you eventually go home broke.

Not sure what kind of structural test were done on the Oklahoma state capitol building before they added the dome; however, whatever was happening at the time with the building, the addition of the dome may have accelerated the crumbling.

I doubt any sort of structural analysis was done, who would have thought of that?  ::)

The crumbling existed at the time Keating thought we needed a dome instead of addressing 80-90 year old plumbing and wiring issues as well as settling and issues brought on by mold over the years.

Turns out cracks in the 12 year old, poorly-constructed dome, which was funded with private funds, was the catalyst for the need to rehab the entire capital complex.

Let the words sink in:  The dome was built with private funds.  There were “Significant cracks in the pre-cast dome structure” discovered in 2014 that brought about the whole $100M+ project to re-hab the entire building.

If the additional weight of the dome caused any additional structural damage, should that be paid for by public funds or private funds since the dome installation was done from private funds?  Interesting question.

I think the capital restoration project is every bit the boondoggle the Indian museum is on the south side of the Oklahoma River.  We could accomplish the business of the state in really nice new construction for what has already been allotted to restore what was a turd of a building in the first place.

Plan for $125M Bond Issue Approved by Oklahoma House

http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/plan-125m-bond-issue-approved-oklahoma-house (http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/plan-125m-bond-issue-approved-oklahoma-house)

$120mil for upgrades.

$125mil for the dome.

A brand new single wide 1000 sq ft. mobile home can be purchased for less than $30k. If we buy 159 of them, surely we can get a discount. A 2 or 3 bedroom trailer has 2 baths and a living room, they don't really need the kitchen either... surely we can make that work as a single office for a legislator.  But lets buy another 141 for mandatory staff or whatever. We also need a big tent so all of our legislators can meet.

300 single wide trailers, at $25k each = $7,500,000

Big tent for revival legislator meetings = $100,000

$7.6 mil. Problem solved.  Take the other $200mil and lets start an endowment for education.

Our new capital, I dub thee Oklatopia:

(http://www.affordablehousinginstitute.org/blogs/us/mobile_home_park_key_west_small.jpg)

(I'm really hateful today)

Don't forget the $175 million in interest payments over the life of the bonds.  Am sure that Failin's and the Clown Show's buddies are all lined up for double tax exempt bonds.  Bet ya no regular people will get to buy any of those...kinda like the Turnpike Authority....

Not nearly hateful enough...

I am though.

I have a massive case of indigestion from all the shitburgers the OK Legislature have served this session.

Oklahoma Senate passes bill to fully fund historic Capitol repair

http://newsok.com/article/5500506 (http://newsok.com/article/5500506)

Does that price include a fresco of this on the ceiling of the dome?

(http://www.readthespirit.com/explore/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2013/03/wpid-0425_Charlton_Heston_as_Moses_in_Ten_Commandments.jpg)