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Okla. senator says parties should fund conventions

WASHINGTON - A Republican senator has asked both political parties to refund the millions of federal dollars each has received to help pay for this summer’s presidential nominating conventions.

In a letter to leaders of the Democratic and Republican parties, Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma said the two gatherings will be “weeklong parties paid for by taxpayers.’’

Even Coburn’s party is spurning the request. Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski said Friday that the meetings play an important role in the nominating process and that if Coburn had other ideas for financing future conventions, “he should address them through the legislative process.’’

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Democratic spokeswoman Kristie Greco said that her party will use the federal money “to fund the functions necessary to renominate the president and vice president.’’

Each party received $17.7 million in federal money for the conventions. Each is expected to receive an additional $630,000 to cover inflation.