Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-04-29

Duration: 00:26:08

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1986 | HIGHER EDUCATION | STATE BUDGET | Law Enforcement | TRIALS | Edwards, Edwin W.

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Campbell, Foster Interviewee
• Casey, Tom Interviewee
• Kelley, Dee Interviewee
• Ackal, Bo Speaker
• Hebert, Murray Speaker
• Bella, V.J. Speaker
• Dewitt, Charles Speaker
• Leach, Buddy Interviewee
• Carter, Wilford Interviewee
• Toomy, Joseph Interviewee
• Ranatza, Michael Interviewee
• Nunez, Sammy Interviewee
• Newman, Cliff Interviewee
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Volz, John Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from April 29, 1986, features Ken Johnson hosting a daily legislative report on the 1986 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Johnson first reports on the day’s headlines, including an interview with State Senator Foster Campbell on the Senate defeating his bill abolishing the four higher education management boards. Next, Karen Nachman reports on the Senate Judiciary A Committee approving a bill allowing a child’s trust fund to cover their expenses. She interviews State Senator Tom Casey, the bill’s sponsor. Johnson then presents an interview with Dee Kelley of the Louisiana Housing Assistance Corporation, who discusses a bill requiring the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office to inspect family daycare houses. Next, Laura Myers reports on the action in the House Ways and Means Committee, including the approval of two bills increasing the license plate fee. Her report includes: testimony by State Representative Bo Ackal; State Representatives Murray Hebert, V.J. Bella, and Charles Dewitt debating how the state should balance the budget – budget cuts or tax increases; interviews with State Representatives Buddy Leach, the committee chairman, and Wilford Carter, committee member; and an interview with State Representative Joseph Toomy on the House Transportation Committee approving a bill increasing the minimum driving age from 15 to 16. Johnson then conducts an in-studio interview with Michael Ranatza, the executive director of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement. He discusses: the work of his agency; the status of the funding for his agency; and the cost of supplemental pay for law enforcement officers. Next, Johnson presents an interview with Senate President Sammy Nunez, who discusses the possibility of the session ending early. Johnson then conducts an in-studio interview with State Senator Cliff Newman. He discusses: the fast pace of the session; the defeat of the bill abolishing the four higher education management boards; and whether the Legislature is willing to cut the state budget. Lastly, Myers reports on the latest news from the sixth week of the retrial of Governor Edwards and four other defendants in New Orleans on fraud and racketeering charges related to the permitting process for building new hospitals and nursing homes. Her report includes highlights of the press conferences on the courthouse steps with Governor Edwin Edwards and United States Attorney John Volz.