Lawmakers hope to ensure that Oregon doesn't lose another Capitol.
Two have burned, one in 1855, the second in 1935.
Oregon State Capitol
Michael Clapp / OPB
These days, lawmakers are worried about earthquake danger. The Capitol rotunda was damaged in the 1993 Scotts Mills earthquake. It took two years to fix. An architect who's advised the Legislature says an earthquake whose magnitude is less than 8.0 could bring the building down.
The Salem Statesman Journal reports the Legislature has named a committee to figure out how to pay for the earthquake reinforcement and other work -- an estimated $300 million.
A former legislator, Gary Wilhelms of Tigard, chairs the committee. He says that if lawmakers move ahead, the work is likely to be done in phases and might be paid for by issuing bonds.
