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House debates multiple spending amendments to state capital construction bill; proposals to tap penitentiary savings and tourism funds split the House
Summary
House Bill 258, the biennial capital construction appropriation, drew sustained floor debate as lawmakers considered amendments to tap reserve accounts for prison security upgrades, a veterans museum renovation, downtown revitalization in Rock Springs and an enclosed Silver Arena.
House Bill 258, the biennial state‑funded capital construction measure, attracted focused debate and a string of amendments aimed at funding a range of local projects, from prison security upgrades to museum renovations and downtown revitalization.
Representative Pendergraft and others introduced an amendment to use $18 million for alarm and security system upgrades at Department of Corrections facilities and to draw that money from a penitentiary construction savings account that currently holds funds set aside for a future new prison. Representative Pendergraft argued the funds were —just sitting there and not being used right now— and that immediate security upgrades were an obvious need. Opponents, including Representative Nicholas and others, cautioned that removing $18 million from the penitentiary account would…
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