Collection:LPB

Genre: Debate

Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1999-10-08

Duration: 00:59:22

Subjects: Television debates | Elections, 1999 | Louisiana gubernatorial election, 1999 | COUNCIL FOR A BETTER LOUISIANA | Politics | Government | PREIS, PHIL | Jefferson, William J. (William Jennings), 1947- | GREENE, TOM | Foster, Mike, Jr., 1930- | Gambling | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | Crime | Education | Educational accountability | Teacher pay raises | Race | Small business | Technology | Internet | Transportation | ROADS | Environment | Health Care

Contributors:

• Duhe, Jeff Moderator
• Courtney, Beth Speaker
• Treen, Dave Speaker
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Henry, Bubba Speaker
• Lambert, Louis Speaker
• Fitzmorris, Jimmy Speaker
• Livingston, Bob Speaker
• Roemer, Buddy Speaker
• Duke, David Speaker
• Fields, Cleo Speaker
• Foster, Mike Speaker
• McClain, Randy Interviewer
• Henderson, Karen Interviewer
• Hill, John Interviewer
• Preis, Phil Panelist
• Jefferson, William Panelist
• Greene, Tom Panelist
• McCoy, Harold Speaker
• Bauer, Mary Jane Speaker
• Spedale, Steven Speaker

Jeff Duhe moderates a live debate at the LPB Studios in Baton Rouge on October 8, 1999, between three candidates for Governor: Baton Rouge attorney Phil Preis (D); Congressman William Jefferson (D); and State Senator Tom Greene (R). The incumbent, Governor Mike Foster (R), was invited to participate, but did not attend. The Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) sponsored this debate as a part of its voter awareness project, “The People’s Agenda.” Prior to the debate, Beth Courtney provides a look back at the 20-year history of LPB debates. The debate then begins with the opening statement of each candidate. The debate consists of questions from citizens around the state and from a panel of three journalists: Randy McClain of the Baton Rouge Advocate; Karen Henderson of WRKF public radio in Baton Rouge; and John Hill of the Shreveport Times and Monroe News Star. Their questions cover the following topics: the state’s dependence on gambling revenues; economic development; crime; Foster’s school accountability program; paying for student remediation; funding teacher pay raises; promoting racial harmony; encouraging small businesses to use technology and the Internet; funding the $6 billion backlog in road repairs; encouraging citizens to speak freely about their concerns over the environmental impact of new industries on their communities; what question they would ask Mike Foster if he were participating in the debate; and improving the health care of children through the tobacco settlement money. The debate ends with each candidate’s closing statement.