Republicans, business groups optimistic on right to work

Monday, December 11th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) With the Democratic ranks divided and diminished, 2001 appears to present a golden opportunity for Republican legislators to pass something they have pushed for decades - a right-to-work law.

But placing the volatile issue before a vote of the people may not be as easy as some might think, says Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce official Ron Cupp.

Cupp is cautiously optimistic, but does not see a material change in the makeup of the Senate Business and Labor Committee that would assure a floor vote on right to work.

``Just on the surface, you would not think it has any more chance than it did before,'' Cupp says.

But he adds that the Democratic losses in the recent elections ``probably has prompted some of the leadership to take another look at it.''

Most supporters think sending the issue to a special election is the most likely route for a right-to-work plan.

``If someone would come out for a statutory change and it looked like the votes were there to pass it, I think we would go for it,'' Cupp says. ``But I think that is unlikely.''

Earlier in his administration, Republican Gov. Frank Keating wanted a statutory change, but now, for practical purposes, he supports a statewide vote on the issue.

There has been speculation that Keating and other right-to-work backers would insist that any right-to-work plan go to the general election two years from now.

But Dan Mahoney, Keating's communication's director, said the Republican governor ``will take right to work any way he can get it.''

``He's passionate about the issue and thinks the public will support it,'' Mahoney said. ``He thinks time's a wasting and the sooner the better for a public vote.''

Business groups have lobbied for right to work on the argument that it will strengthen the economy by bringing more jobs to the state. Labor groups have opposed a right-to-work law on the grounds that it will mean lower pay for working people.

It may be significant, right-to-work supporters say, that a Democrat, Sen. Dave Herbert of Midwest City, already has issued statements saying he will push a bill for a special election on right to work.

The main obstacle for any plan could be in the Senate business-labor panel, where it has died in the past.

The new chairman of the committee is Sen. Keith Leftwich, a right-to-work foe. He replaces Sen. Lewis Long, D-Glenpool, ardent right-to-work opponent who was defeated in the November general election.

The size of the committee has been reduced from 12 to 10 members, including four Republicans. Former Minority Leader Mark Snyder of Edmond is vice chairman.
The general consensus is that right to work will face an easier time in the House, where it passed several years ago only to die in the Senate.

Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, has pledged to have a hearing on Herbert's bill if it is brought up.

Sen. Mike Fair, R-Oklahoma City, said he thinks the issue will be decided early in the session and ``I think it is headed for a vote of the people.''

It's a matter of politics, Fair said, noting that the GOP picked up three more senators in November, all supporters of right to work.

Republicans also added eight members in the House to reduce the Democratic edge to 53-48.
Fair said the message has gone out to Democrats that if nothing happens on right to work, ``it's going to be open warfare between now and the 2002 elections.''

Through the years, Democrats have been successful in thwarting right-to-work initiatives before their got off the ground.

But in the 2000 Legislature, Republicans forced a vote on considering right to work as an amendment to other legislation.

That vote came after a partisan struggle punctuated by GOP Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin taking the rare step of presiding over the Senate. Republicans lost by only a 24-23 margin as eight Democrats joined them.

With three more Republican members and the hope of more Democratic defections, Fair predicts right-to-work supporters will prevail in 2001.