Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-06-03

Duration: 00:28:12

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1986 | STATE BUDGET | Taxes

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Landrieu, Mary Interviewee
• Downer, Hunt Interviewee
• Dastugue, Quentin Interviewee
• Reilly, Kevin, Sr. Speaker
• Laborde, Raymond Speaker
• Krogel, Randie Interviewee
• Blount, Julius Interviewee
• Robinson, Sandra Interviewee
• Jones, Charles D. Interviewee
• Perez, Nick Speaker
• Thompson, Mike Speaker
• Charton, Steve Speaker
• Hainkel, John Interviewee
• Jumonville, J.E. Speaker
• Barthelemy, Sidney Speaker
• Norton, Pat Interviewee
• Brown, Jim Interviewee
• Jenkins, Woody Speaker
• Hollis, Ken Interviewee
• Bagneris, Dennis Interviewee
• Adley, Robert Speaker
• Haik, Ted Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from June 3, 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: an interview with State Representative Mary Landrieu on a bill establishing the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund and a task force to combat child abuse; an interview with State Representative Hunt Downer on a bill providing immunity from civil liability for police and fire personnel who render emergency medical assistance; and an interview with State Representative Quentin Dastugue on his constitutional amendment placing a cap on the amount of oil and gas revenues that can be spent on state programs. Next, Karen Nachman reports on the House Appropriations Committee hearing on the four different spending plans under consideration for the 8g settlement money. Her report includes comments by State Representatives Kevin Reilly and Raymond Laborde. Johnson then continues reporting on the day’s headlines. These stories include: interviews with Randie Krogel of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and State Representative Julius Blount on a bill allowing a hardship appeals process for college students whose drivers’ licenses are suspended due to a DWI; an interview with Dr. Sandra Robinson, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), on her concerns about a bill allowing a Charity Hospital to be turned over to a private management firm for three years; and an interview with State Representative Charles D. Jones on a bill establishing a minimum fee for services rendered at Charity Hospitals. Next, Laura Myers reports on the House Ways and Means Committee approving a bill giving local governments greater authority to raise occupational license taxes. Her report includes: testimony by Nick Perez of the Louisiana Retailers Association and Steve Charton, a small business lobbyist; State Representative Mike Thompson questioning Perez; an interview with State Representative John Hainkel on a bill enacting a 1 cent tax on dog food and cat food to fund SPCA programs around the state; highlights of State Senator J.E. Jumonville and New Orleans Mayor Sidney Barthelemy debating funding for the City of New Orleans; and interviews with Dr. Sandra Robinson of DHHR and Secretary Pat Norton of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality on the cuts to their departments. Johnson then conducts an in-studio interview with Louisiana Secretary of State Jim Brown, who discusses the bill setting the 1988 presidential primary on Super Tuesday. Johnson then presents highlights of State Representative Woody Jenkins’ refuting recent stories on his dealings with his nonprofit organization, Friends of the Americas. Next, Myers reports on the Senate Judiciary C Committee hearing on a bill banning the use of counterletters for public projects. Her report includes interviews with State Senators Ken Hollis and Dennis Bagneris. Lastly, Johnson reports on the House defeating a bill delaying the implementation of the mandatory seatbelt law for a year. His report includes highlights of the debate between State Representatives Robert Adley and Ted Haik.