Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1978-07-07

Duration: 00:28:42

Subjects: Louisiana Legislative Session, 1978 | Louisiana. Legislature | LEGISLATION | STATE BUDGET | MASS TRANSIT SYSTEMS | Local transit | Transportation | First use tax | NATURAL GAS | GAS INDUSTRY | Community property | Head and Master Laws | Marriage | Public utilities | Louisiana Public Service Commission | RETIREMENT SYSTEMS | PENSIONS | Women's rights | Politics

Contributors:

• George, Beth Host
• Blome, Ron Host
• Stephens, Catherine Photographer
• Wilhelmi, Marcia Photographer
• Godoy, Al Photographer
• Blome, Ron Reporter
• Blome, Ron Editor
• George, Beth Producer
• Wolf, Thom Director
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Reilly, Kevin Interviewee
• Charbonnet, Louis Speaker
• Baker, Richard Speaker
• Grisbaum, Charles Speaker
• Henry, Bubba Speaker
• Morrison, Toni Speaker
• Bella, V.J. Speaker
• Tauzin, Billy Interviewee
• Simoneaux, Frank Speaker
• Martin, Selina Speaker
• Irving, Steve Interviewee
• Steimel, Ed Interviewee
• Bigby, Walter Interviewee
• Thiel, Art Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from July 7, 1978, features a recap of the major issues of the 1978 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature.  It includes: the debate on the General Appropriations Bill, or state budget; the competing plans for providing aid to the state’s struggling mass transit systems, especially in New Orleans; the passage of the first use tax related to the processing and transporting of offshore natural gas to other states; the passage of an equal management of community property law, which replaces the previous “Head and Master” law for married couples; the failure of two bills that would have changed the ground rules for utility companies to request rate increases from the Public Service Commission; and the need for reform of the state’s public retirement systems, which could be facing bankruptcy.    Host: Beth George Host: Ron Blome