Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1984-04-24

Duration: 00:25:54

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1984 | HAZARDOUS WASTES | Environment | Louisiana World Exposition (1984: New Orleans, La.) | Alario, John A. Jr., 1943- | Bella, V.J. (Vincent Joseph), 1927-

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Ekings, Robyn Host
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Kennard, Donald Ray Interviewee
• Freeman, Bobby Speaker
• Kelly, Don Speaker
• Alario, John Interviewee
• Bella, V.J. Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from April 24, 1984, features Robyn Ekings and Ken Johnson hosting a daily legislative report on the 1984 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Johnson reports on the day’s headlines, including Governor Edwin Edwards speaking at a press conference about his support for the upcoming testing to determine if hazardous waste can be burned safely off the Louisiana coast. Next, Ekings reports on the proposed $10 million bailout of the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans, which is scheduled to open on May 12, 1984. Her report includes: Governor Edwin Edwards testifying in committee on the fair’s cash flow problems; an interview with State Representative Donald Ray Kennard on his concerns over the bailout; Lieutenant Governor Bobby Freeman testifying before the Senate Finance Committee in support of the $10 million loan; and State Senator Don Kelly questioning Freeman. Lastly, Johnson and Ekings conduct an in-studio interview with Speaker of the House John Alario and State Representative V.J. Bella. They discuss: their stance on the bailout; the state’s previous investments in the World’s Fair; the possibility that the fair will shut down without the loan; the fair’s cash flow problems due to slow advanced ticket sales; and whether they believe the loan will be paid back to the state.