(AP) — A proposal to spend $2.5 million in state money for bronze fountains at the Nebraska Capitol is now in the hands of a legislative committee.

Sen. John Nelson of Omaha argued Monday that the funding would help complete a state icon that was never finished. The fountains would sit in the each of the Capitol’s four interior courtyards, but the work was halted because of the Depression.

The project would coincide with a build-up to Nebraska’s 150th anniversary as a state. Some senators questioned whether the desire for fountains outweighed basic maintenance needs at the Capitol, including leaky office windows, peeling paint and upgrades to the ventilation system.

The Legislature’s Appropriations Committee took no immediate action on the bill.