Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1985-05-29

Duration: 00:26:15

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1985 | Gambling | Political campaigns | Campaign advertising | Environment

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Casey, Tom Speaker
• Bella, V.J. Speaker
• Scogin, Ed Speaker
• Bruneau, Peppi Interviewee
• Brinkhaus, Armand Interviewee
• Sevario, Joseph Interviewee
• Bernard, Sherman Interviewee
• McLeod, William Interviewee
• Swearingen, Lawson Speaker
• Jefferson, William Speaker
• Koch, John Speaker
• Saadi, Raymond Speaker
• Ginn, David Interviewee
• Vincent, Ross Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 29, 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: State Senator Tom Casey speaking in favor of a bill allowing gambling on cruises to nowhere from New Orleans; State Representatives V.J. Bella and Ed Scogin discussing a bill legalizing a state lottery in the House Criminal Justice Committee; an interview with State Representative Peppi Bruneau on a bill banning video games that can be used for gambling; an interview with State Senator Armand Brinkhaus on the Senate approving his bill creating a quality assurance assessment program for teachers; an interview with State Senator Joseph Sevario on his bill creating the Employment Stabilization Act; an interview with Insurance Commissioner Sherman Bernard on a bill prohibiting insurance company executives from using company assets to pledge against personal loans; and an interview with State Senator William McLeod on his view of a bill related to public utility rates. Next, Laura Myers reports on the action in the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. Her report includes: State Senator Lawson Swearingen testifying on his bill removing public officials from office if they are convicted of a felony; State Senator William Jefferson discussing his opposition to Swearingen’s bill restricting the amount of time a candidate can run political advertising; John Koch of the Louisiana Press Association and Raymond Saadi of the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters testifying against the bill; an interview with Senator Swearingen on his bill; and an interview with State Senator David Ginn on his decision to pull his campaign reform bills. Lastly, Johnson conducts an in-studio interview with Ross Vincent, the president of the Ecology Center of Louisiana. He discusses his support of a right to know law requiring chemical plants and other employers to disclose the chemicals that are used in their businesses.