OKLAHOMA CITY – A state representative – who has tried for several years to require safety tie-downs for mobile homes and regulations that better protect Oklahomans during severe weather – said he would file legislation this week to authorize a $500 million bond issue to fund the construction of storm shelters at public schools and multifamily facilities.

State Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, said $400 million of the bond issue would be used for public school shelters, with the remaining $100 million set aside for shelters at facilities such as group homes, retirement centers and multifamily facilities. He said debt service on the bond issue would total about $30 million per year.

Dorman said the tornado that hit Moore on Monday and the storms in Carney and Shawnee over the weekend were reminders that Oklahoma needs stronger building codes and better protections for residents living in mobile home parks.

“We live in Tornado Alley and this will happen again,” Dorman said. “We need to provide some funding to help build storm shelters, especially in schools. I would hope the idea has bipartisan appeal.”

Dorman said state leaders have to come to grips with the idea that the state’s public facilities need protection from severe weather.

“Unfortunately, people prefer homes with swimming pools rather than storm shelters,” he said. “But tornadoes are a fact of life in Oklahoma and we must make sure our public facilities provide adequate shelter.”

Dorman said he contacted House budget chairman Scott Martin, R-Norman, on Tuesday about the proposal.

On Tuesday morning, Martin said legislative leaders were considering Dorman’s idea and several other options in the wake of Monday’s tornado.

“All options are on the table right now,” he said.

Martin said House leaders had been in contact with Republican Gov. Mary Fallin and Senate Pro Tempore Brian Bingman.

“We’ve been talking about options, but nothing has solidified,” he said.

Martin said lawmakers were also looking at tapping the state’s Constitutional Reserve Fund for emergency funds.

“We have a rainy day fund,” he said. “And if this doesn’t qualify as a ‘rainy day’ then I don’t know what does.”

Dorman said a bond issue was proposed earlier this year for the same amount of money to fund upgrades for school facilities in regards to school safety involving terrorist situations.

“As the leadership was willing to allow a hearing on that bill, I would hope they give this idea an opportunity to be discussed,” he said. “After the devastation we have witnessed over the past twenty-four hours and the outcry from the public for more shelters in schools, I would think some minds might change about using bonds.”