Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1985-04-16

Duration: 00:26:23

Subjects: Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1985 | Politics | Government | STATE BUDGET | Educational change | Automobiles -- Seat belts | Traffic safety | Local governments | Local transit

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Rayburn, B.B. "Sixty" Interviewee
• Saunders, John Interviewee
• Gomez, Ron Interviewee
• Theis, Betty Interviewee
• Rofaleowski, Andrew Interviewee
• Casey, Tom Interviewee
• Scogin, Ed Interviewee
• Warren, Jimmy Interviewee
• Leader, Sharon Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from April 16, 1985, features Ken Johnson hosting a daily legislative report on the 1985 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Johnson first reports on the day’s headlines. These stories include: an interview with State Senator B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn on potential budget cuts due to the $120 million state budget deficit; the House of Representatives debating the committee assignment for a package of bills ending the doctrine of strict liability; and an interview with State Senator John Saunders on Governor Edwin Edwards’ education reform package. Next, Laura Myers reports on a proposed mandatory seat belt law. Her report includes highlights of a safety demonstration on the steps of the State Capitol. She also interviews: State Representative Ron Gomez; Betty Theis of the Highway Safety Commission; and Andrew Rofaleowski of the Louisiana State Police. Johnson then reports on the budget cuts facing local governments due to federal cutbacks and possible state cuts. He interviews State Senator Tom Casey and State Representative Ed Scogin. Johnson also conducts an in-studio interview with Jimmy Warren, the executive assistant to Kenner Mayor Aaron Broussard, and Sharon Leader, the Special Assistant for Transit Development for the Regional Transit Authority. They discuss: the potential cuts to local governments, the possible impact of the cuts to mass transit systems, and their lobbying efforts at the session.