Court referee to review Capitol repairs funding

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – An Oklahoma Supreme Court referee is set to hear arguments about whether a planned $120 million bond issue for improvements to the Capitol building should proceed.

Oral arguments are scheduled to take place Tuesday before Supreme Court Referee Greg Albert, who will compile a report and forward it to the full court.

The Legislature approved the bond issue this year to begin repairs on the nearly 100-year-old building, but an Oklahoma City attorney with a history of successfully challenging legislative actions has filed notice indicating his opposition to the plan. Attorney Jerry Fent claims the bill authorizing the bond issue was an unconstitutional special law because it addressed only one state building.

The Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority has asked the state Supreme Court to weigh in.