Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-05-29

Duration: 00:27:21

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1986 | STATE BUDGET | Gambling | Lotteries | Local governments | Artificial reefs | Fisheries

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Tullis, Phyllis Speaker
• Borne, Leon Interviewee
• Brady, Bud Interviewee
• Bagert, Ben Speaker
• Campbell, Foster Speaker
• Newman, Jewel Interviewee
• Blount, Julius Interviewee
• Jumonville, J.E. Interviewee
• Windhorst, Fritz Speaker
• Thomas, Graves Interviewee
• Bajoie, Diana Speaker
• Zervigon, Mary Speaker
• Charton, Steve Speaker
• Strain, Bill Speaker
• Laharza, Salvatore Speaker
• Lovelady, Joe Speaker
• Robison, John Speaker
• Steimel, Ed Speaker
• Lastrapes, Dud Interviewee
• Haik, Ted Speaker
• Forster, Garey Speaker
• Breaux, John Speaker
• Theriot, Sam Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 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. These stories include: Phyllis Tullis of the School Psychologists Association testifying on a bill authorizing the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to certify school psychologists; an interview with State Representative Leon Borne on a bill abolishing Special School District Number 1; an interview with State Representative Bud Brady on his bill allowing for the sale of the Superdome; State Senator Ben Bagert questioning State Senator Foster Campbell on his bill dropping the interest rate on credit cards to 12.5%; an interview with State Representative Jewel Newman on package of bills related to charitable bingo and games of chance; and an interview with State Representative Julius Blount on his bill dedicating the basement of the State Capitol to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Next, Karen Nachman reports on the ongoing Senate Finance Committee hearings on the state budget. Her report includes an interview with State Senator J.E. Jumonville, as well as State Senator Fritz Windhorst discussing the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) for K-12 school funding. Johnson then presents an interview with defense attorney Graves Thomas on a bill allowing people called before a parish or state grand jury to bring their attorney with them. Next, Laura Myers reports on the House Criminal Justice Committee voting against a bill establishing a lottery in the City of New Orleans. Her report includes: testimony in favor of the bill by State Representative Diana Bajoie, New Orleans lobbyist Mary Zervignon, and small business lobbyist Steve Charton; State Representative Bill Strain questioning bill proponent Salvatore Laharza; and testimony against the bill by minister Joe Lovelady, minister John Robison, and Ed Steimel of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. Johnson then conducts an in-studio with Lafayette Mayor Dud Lastrapes, who discusses the proposed cuts to local governments. Next, Johnson reports on the House approving a bill prohibiting nepotism in the judicial branch. It includes State Representative Ted Haik questioning State Representative Garey Forster on the bill. Lastly, Myers reports on the Senate Natural Resources Committee approving a bill allowing for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to develop an artificial reef program in the Gulf of Mexico. Her report includes highlights of Congressman John Breaux and State Representative Sam Theriot testifying in favor of the bill.