Oklahoma Lawmaker Files Bill to Fund School Storm Shelters

An Oklahoma lawmaker has filed legislation that would ask voters to decide whether to fund storm shelters in public schools.

The measure was filed by Rep. Joe Dorman of Rush Springs, a Democratic candidate for governor. It is similar to an initiative petition Dorman helped spearhead that called for a statewide referendum on a $500 million bond issue to pay for storm shelters in schools.

Supporters failed to get enough signatures to put the initiative petition on an election ballot this year. They have asked the state Supreme Court to give them more time to obtain the required number of signatures.

Funding school storm shelters was first proposed after a massive tornado struck two elementary schools in Moore in May, killing seven children and injuring dozens of others.