Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1985-07-01

Duration: 00:26:01

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1985 | SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION | RIGHT TO WORK | STATE BUDGET

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Bagert, Ben Speaker
• Rayburn, B.B. "Sixty" Speaker
• Delpit, Joe Interviewee
• Ackal, Bo Interviewee
• Russell, Weldon Speaker
• Bella, V.J. Speaker
• Laborde, Raymond Speaker
• Fernandez, Manny Speaker
• Campbell, Foster Speaker
• Swearingen, Lawson Speaker
• Campbell, Foster Interviewee
• Jefferson, William Interviewee
• Windhorst, Fritz Interviewee
• Rayburn, B.B. "Sixty" Interviewee
• Picard, Cecil Interviewee
• Nicholson, Elwyn Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from July 1, 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: the Senate approving the bill making the Superintendent of Education an appointive instead of elective position; State Senators Ben Bagert and B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn debating a bill making right to work a constitutional amendment; interviews with State Representatives Joe Delpit and Bo Ackal on the House rejecting a resolution to suspend the prevailing wage law for one year; State Representatives Weldon Russell and V.J. Bella debating a bill giving pay raises to constables and justices of the peace; State Representative Raymond Laborde presenting a bill allowing nonprofit corporations to finance and lease state prisons; and State Representative Manny Fernandez speaking against a bill increasing penalties for illegal gambling. Next, Laura Myers reports on the ongoing Senate Finance Committee hearings on the state budget, including the impact of a possible fall in oil prices. Her report includes: State Senators Foster Campbell and Lawson Swearingen discussing the fight between the colleges and universities for higher education funding; an interview with State Senator Campbell on the issue; interviews with State Senators William Jefferson and Fritz Windhorst on possible budget cuts; and an interview with State Senator B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn on the possible drop in oil prices. Lastly, Johnson conducts an in-studio interview with State Senators Cecil Picard and Elwyn Nicholson. They discuss: the ongoing state budget hearings; the sense of frustration among state legislators; and the 8g offshore oil and gas royalties settlement.