Cal Hobson makes college bond plan top issue

Tuesday, February 1st 2005, 6:12 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson says passing a $500-million bond programs for colleges and universities will be his top priority this legislative session.

The Lexington Democrat says a great deal of research has gone into the measure, which is being handled in committee and on the Senate floor by Stillwater Democrat Mike Morgan. Stillwater Republican Terry Ingmire is the House author.

The Senate leader said he asked Ingmire to sponsor the bill after Republican House Speaker Todd Hiett didn't respond to a request that he join Hobson as author of the legislation.

Hiett says he's working on his own higher education bond package.

Hiett says he's concerned that lottery proceeds will not be stable enough to fund debt service on the bonds.