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JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- A six hundred million dollar bond issue approved by Missouri voters in 1982 is finally paid off.

Now, lawmakers are considering whether to ask voters to take out a new loan.

When they convene in January, Missouri lawmakers could consider a new bond issuance worth as much as $1 billion to finance construction at college campuses, repairs at state mental health institutions and office buildings and maybe even new road work.

Supporters say several factors make it a good time to issue bonds. Interest rates are low. Construction costs are down. Missouri has a long list of capital improvement needs. And now that the 1982 bond initiative is repaid, Missouri has some available cash.

State figures show the 1982 initiative cost the state $1.25 billion after all the interest was paid.

Would you vote to take out the new loan? Share your comments below or join in the conversation on our Facebook page here.

The Associate Press contributed to this article.