How school shelter plan could effect State’s budget

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma budget writers say an initiative petition to install storm shelters and safe rooms in every public school in Oklahoma could overstress the state’s biggest and most critical revenue fund and slow the flow of state tax dollars for vital public services.

A group known as Take Shelter Oklahoma is collecting the signatures of voters to put the issue on a statewide ballot.

Supporters say State Question 774 is a moral obligation to protect students following a massive, deadly tornado that struck Moore on May 20, 2013, and killed seven elementary school students.

But concerns have been raised about the plan’s $500 million bond issue to pay for the shelters, which would be repaid over 25 years from the state’s General Revenue Fund.