Collection:LPB

Genre: News, Public Affairs

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1983-06-17

Duration: 00:06:12

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1983 | Government reorganization | Louisiana. Department of Environmental Quality | Louisiana. Department of Corrections | Louisiana. Department of Public Safety | Environment | Coastal zone management

Contributors:

• George, Beth Host
• Ekings, Robyn Reporter
• Jumonville, J.E., Jr. Speaker
• Jefferson, William Speaker
• Windhorst, Fritz Speaker
• Treen, Dave Interviewee

This segment from the June 17, 1983, episode of “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Robyn Ekings’ report on the Senate’s debate and passage of a bill at the 1983 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature creating the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and merging the Departments of Public Safety and Corrections. It includes: State Senator J.E. Jumonville expressing his support for creating DEQ and his disagreement with the proposed merger; State Senator William Jefferson presenting his amendment to place the Department of Public Safety under the Governor’s Office; State Senator Fritz Windhorst speaking against the constitutionality of Jefferson’s amendment; and an interview with Governor Dave Treen on the role of former Governor Edwin Edwards, his opponent in the 1983 gubernatorial election, in the debate. Ekings reports that Senate President Sammy Nunez was successful in keeping coastal zone management out of DEQ. Host: Beth George