Common Core an issue in competitive governor race

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – An underfunded and little-known Democratic candidate for governor has found a new issue on which to attack incumbent Governor Mary Fallin.

The federal government stripped Oklahoma on Thursday of its authority to decide how to spend millions in federal education funds because of the state’s repeal of Common Core instructional standards for English and math.

State Representative Joe Dorman of Rush Springs says Fallin’s role in the repeal and its consequences for public schoolchildren are the latest examples of flip-flopping on important issues and a lack of leadership he says her administration has displayed over the past four years.

Fallin, who is seeking a second four-year term in the November 4th general election, blasted the federal government and President Barack Obama’s administration for the decision.