Fallin flexes Senate power

(Tulsa-AP) -- Both sides in a state Senate standoff over right to work said today they expected to be back at work Monday, but<br>they also continued to swipe at each other.<br><br>Lieutenant Governor

Friday, April 7th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- Both sides in a state Senate standoff over right to work said today they expected to be back at work Monday, but
they also continued to swipe at each other.

Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin asserted her constitutional right to seize the Senate chair and said she would reconvene the body next week. But Senate President Pro Tem Stratton Taylor says Fallin lacked authority to take over and said she had hindered her own push for a Senate vote on right-to-work amendment.

He says Fallin's role in the Senate is a ceremonial one.

Fallin took over the chair Wednesday and yesterday in an effort to call senators into session and force a vote on the issue.

Democrats didn't show up and quorum wasn't met.

Taylor says that before Fallin stepped in, agreement had been reached enabling the right-to-work legislation to proceed as normal
through the Senate.