GOP candidates for governor talk school funding, same-sex adoption and other issues at OKC forum

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mick Cornett said Monday he was glad Gov. Mary Fallin signed a $474 million tax package last month to provide a teacher pay raise, marking a huge break from the position of Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb and most of his other GOP rivals.

Responding to a question at a forum sponsored by The Oklahoman about whether he would have signed the revenue package, Cornett said, “I'm glad the governor signed it.”

Lamb, Dan Fisher, Gary Richardson and Kevin Stitt said at the forum they would not have signed the package, while state Auditor Gary Jones endorsed the tax bill.

Candidates at the forum also answered questions about energy taxes, the current era of Republican rule, abortion, criminal justice reform and whether faith-based adoption agencies should have to provide services to same-sex couples.