© 2024 Public Radio Tulsa
800 South Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104
(918) 631-2577

A listener-supported service of The University of Tulsa
classical 88.7 | public radio 89.5
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Group Warns Fallin Common Core Repeal Bill Violates State Constitution

Bill signing ceremony
file photo
Bill signing ceremony

A bill to repeal Common Core education standards awaiting Gov. Mary Fallin's signature may be unconstitutional.

Kristen Amundson with the National Association of State Boards of Education said the problem is House Bill 3399 gives lawmakers power to review new standards from the state board of education.

"It is very problematic for the legislature to come in and try to say, 'Well, that's fine, but we're going to undo — give ourselves the ability to override, undo, amend or in other ways alter everything that you do,'" Amundson said.

Oklahoma's constitution prohibits the legislature from performing or intruding upon functions assigned to the executive branch of government.

Amundson was a Virginia lawmaker for 10 years and said they wanted to bring their concerns to the governor's attention.

"Sometimes the laws you pass do not come down on stone tablets, and they need a little editing and revision," Amundson said. "And sometimes you just need a do-over."

Fallin has until Saturday to sign or veto the bill.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.