Spotlight on History

The Louisiana Legislature in the 1970s

As the 2015 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature continues, the LDMA is looking back at the Legislature in the 1970s throughout the month of May.  The 1970s proved to be a transformative decade for the Louisiana Legislature because of the reforms made by the Young Turks, which provided for more legislative independence, and the Constitutional Convention of 1973.  During this decade, the Legislature also experienced one of the most heated battles in its history, the 1976 debate over Right to Work.    

Panel Discussions

Through the years, LPB has led panel discussions with former state legislators and other state officials who played major roles in re-shaping Louisiana and the Legislature during the 1970s.

• The Young Turks: A Reunion – McLeod Lecture Series
• CC ’73: Revisiting the 1973 Constitutional Convention
• Right to Work: Changes in Louisiana’s Political Landscape – McLeod Lecture Series

Louisiana: The State We’re In – Major Issues

Starting in 1977, LPB’s Louisiana: The State We’re In has provided comprehensive coverage of the major issues being debated in the Louisiana Legislature.  Some of these issues include:

• Marijuana Possession - 1977
• Teacher Pay Raises - 1977
• Repealing the Head and Master Law – 1977 and 1978
• Equal Rights Amendment – 1977 and 1979
• Hazardous Waste Disposal - 1978
• First Use Tax on Natural Gas - 1978
• Sex Education - 1979
• Nuclear Energy - 1979

Louisiana: The State We’re In – Profiles

Starting in 1977, LPB’s Louisiana: The State We’re In also interviewed state legislators and other officials who played major roles during the legislative sessions. 

• Governor Edwin Edwards – 1978 and 1979
• Speaker of the House E.L. “Bubba” Henry – 1977 and 1979
• State Senator B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn
• State Senator Sidney Barthelemy
• State Representative Kevin Reilly
• State Representative Alphonse Jackson
• State Representative V.J. Bella
• State Senator Jim Brown
• State Senator Edgar “Sonny” Mouton

To see all of these videos and more, you can view the full topic here.  

For more information on the ongoing 2015 Legislative Session, check out LPB’s Capitol Beat and Louisiana: The State We’re In.