Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1985-05-09

Duration: 00:27:05

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1985 | New Orleans Saints (Football team) | Louisiana. State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education | SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Gomez, Ron Interviewee
• Long, Jimmy Interviewee
• Thompson, Francis Interviewee
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Bruneau, Peppi Speaker
• Dastugue, Quentin Speaker
• Martin, James Interviewee
• Lancaster, Charles Interviewee
• Donelon, Jim Interviewee
• Powell, Bob Interviewee
• Ducote, Jackie Interviewee
• Pliner, Emogene Interviewee
• Campbell, Foster Interviewee
• Hudson, Tommy Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 9, 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 Representative Ron Gomez on a bill establishing a framework for the legalization of jai alai gambling; an interview with State Representative Jimmy Long on the House Education Committee’s approval of two bills related to the funding and accountability system for vo-tech schools; and an interview with State Representative Francis Thompson on his bill exempting veterinarians from the state’s public records law. Next, Laura Myers reports on the House Governmental Affairs Committee’s approval of a resolution giving the New Orleans Saints $2.4 million in concessions in order to stay in New Orleans. Her report includes: Governor Edwin Edwards testifying on the plan; State Representatives Peppi Bruneau and Quentin Dastugue questioning Governor Edwards; and interviews with State Representatives James Martin, Charles Lancaster, and Jim Donelon and Monroe Mayor Bob Powell, the president of the Louisiana Municipal Association. Johnson then reports on the Senate Education Committee’s approval of two bills allowing the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to appoint the Superintendent of Education. He interviews Jackie Ducote, the vice president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), and Emogene Pliner, the vice president of the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR). Lastly, Johnson conducts an in-studio interview with State Senators Foster Campbell and Tommy Hudson. They discuss: their position on appointing the Superintendent of Education; the possibility of appointing the BESE Board; and the upcoming debate on the Senate floor.