Okla. museum funding plan still faces tough battle

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – After nearly two decades and $95 million already spent, supporters of planned Native American museum in Oklahoma City are pushing for the final $40 million in state funding they say is needed to finish the project.

But whether construction resumes on the mothballed project at the busy crossroads of Interstates 35 and 40 will come down to the 72 members of the House Republican caucus.

The 29 Democrats in the House already committed unanimously to supporting the bill, but newly elected House Speaker Jeff Hickman says he won’t push the project forward without overwhelming support within his own caucus.

Hickman says many GOP members are hesitant to spend the $40 million from the state’s Unclaimed Property Fund while the state is facing a $188 million shortfall in the state budget.