Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-05-15

Duration: 00:27:03

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1986 | Education | OIL INDUSTRY | GAS INDUSTRY | Gambling

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Brinkhaus, Armand Interviewee
• Long, Jimmy Interviewee
• Nunez, Sammy Speaker
• Jumonville, J.E. Speaker
• Kelly, Don Interviewee
• Zervigon, Mary Interviewee
• Guarisco, Anthony Interviewee
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Tenney, Tom Speaker
• Williams, Francis Interviewee
• Foster, Larry Interviewee
• Lowenthal, Margaret Interviewee
• Baker, Richard Interviewee
• Ward, Ken Interviewee
• Purvis, Ben Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 15, 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 Armand Brinkhaus on a bill repealing the law setting the Superintendent of Education’s salary, as well as an interview with State Representative Jimmy Long on the House Education Committee defeating a bill granting tenure to teachers’ aides and other school employees. Next, Laura Myers reports on the Senate Natural Resources Committee approving a bill exempting oil and gas companies from the 12.5% severance tax on drilling for the next three years. Her report includes: Senate President Sammy Nunez presenting his bill; State Senator J.E. Jumonville asking Senator Nunez to add an amendment capping the exemption when oil prices go up; and an interview with State Senator Don Kelly. Johnson then continues reporting on the day’s headlines. These stories include: the House Appropriations Committee approving a state budget making up $436 million of the $800 million budget deficit; an interview with Mary Zervigon, a New Orleans lobbyist on the city’s lost revenue; the House Natural Resources Committee approving a bill allowing the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to extend shrimp season in outside waters; and an interview with State Senator Anthony Guarisco on his bill allowing public school teachers to give up tenure in exchange for a contract. Next, Karen Nachman reports on an anti-gambling rally that started at the First Baptist Church in Baton Rouge and ended on the steps of the State Capitol. Her report includes highlights of the speech given by Tom Tenney of United Pentecostal. She also interviews: Dr. Francis Williams, a pastor in Amite; Dr. Larry Foster, a pastor in DeQuincy; State Representative Margaret Lowenthal; and State Representative Richard Baker. Johnson then conducts an in-studio interview with Ken Ward, the executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Association and Dr. Ben Purvis of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. They discuss their opposition to the legalization of casino gambling in New Orleans and a statewide lottery. Lastly, Myers presents her interview with State Senator Armand Brinkhaus, the chairman of the Senate Education Committee, who discusses his opposition to the bill adding a student member to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).