Senate committee approves bonds for Pop museum

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A proposal to issue $25 million in bonds to build the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture in Tulsa has passed its first legislative hurdle.

The Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget voted 27-13 Tuesday for legislation that would authorize funding for the museum, known as OKPOP. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman of Sapulpa introduced the legislation on Monday. He says the $25 million in bonds will be matched with private funds and the proposed museum will be built in Tulsa on donated land.

State lawmakers have rejected funding for the proposed pop culture museum in previous years.

The committee also voted 33-0 for a voluntary compliance initiative to collect past-due state taxes.