Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1985-05-16

Duration: 00:28:16

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1985 | New Orleans Saints (Football team) | Hazardous substances | Environment | SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION | Prevailing wage

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Dastugue, Quentin Speaker
• Thompson, Mike Speaker
• Long, Jimmy Interviewee
• Ullo, Chris Interviewee
• Dewitt, Charles Interviewee
• Baker, Richard Interviewee
• Ripoll, Bud Interviewee
• Miller, Ralph Interviewee
• Jefferson, William Speaker
• Fernandez, Manny Speaker
• Jackson, Johnny Interviewee
• Clausen, Tom Interviewee
• Thompson, Mike Interviewee
• Fernandez, Manny Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 16, 1985, features Ken Johnson hosting a daily legislative report on the 1985 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Johnson first reports on breaking news, the House approving an amended version of the New Orleans Saints deal capping the amount of money the team can receive each year and Governor Edwin Edwards addressing the House after the vote. Laura Myers then reports on the House debate leading up to the vote. Her report includes State Representatives Quentin Dastugue and Mike Thompson debating the bill, as well as interviews with State Representatives Jimmy Long, Chris, Ullo, Charles Dewitt, Richard Baker, Bud Ripoll, and Ralph Miller. Next, Johnson reports on the House Natural Resources Committee’s decision to defer an amended version of an emergency preparedness bill that requires companies to report the presence of hazardous materials. His report includes highlights of an exchange between State Senator William Jefferson, the bill’s sponsor, and State Representative Manny Fernandez. Johnson then reports on the day’s other headlines. These stories include: several senators changing their mind on their vote in favor of a bill reducing the penalties for malfeasance in office; an interview with State Representative Johnny Jackson on the House Education Committee passing a bill reversing the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (BESE) decision to lengthen the school day; and interviews with State Representative Jimmy Long and Superintendent of Education Tom Clausen on the bill making the Superintendent of Education an appointive position. Lastly, Johnson conducts an in-studio interview with State Representatives Mike Thompson and Manny Fernandez. They discuss their positions on the repeal of the prevailing wage law, the New Orleans Saints deal, and the Superintendent of Education bill.