Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-06-06

Duration: 00:26:57

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1986 | Retirement | Drugs | Law Enforcement | Agriculture | AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Hebert, Dennis Interviewee
• Lowenthal, Margaret Interviewee
• Downer, Hunt Interviewee
• Bella, V.J. Speaker
• Burbank, Tom Speaker
• Crane, Carl Speaker
• Kember, Harry Speaker
• Landrieu, Mary Interviewee
• Copelin, Sherman Interviewee
• Litchfield, Elmer Interviewee
• Roop, Mike Interviewee
• Haik, Ted Speaker
• Ensminger, John Speaker
• Bradley, Allen Speaker
• Travis, John Speaker
• Huenefeld, Fred Speaker
• Russell, Weldon Speaker
• Sumlin, William Speaker
• Thompson, Francis Interviewee
• Rimes, Bill Speaker
• Dimos, Jimmy Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from June 6, 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 Dennis Hebert on a bill requiring the state to pay the expenses for firemen who develop cancer due to chemical exposure in the line of duty; an interview with State Representative Margaret Lowenthal on a bill changing the licensing requirements for chiropractors; and an interview with State Representative Hunt Downer on the abortion bills under consideration. Next, Karen Nachman reports on the House Retirement Committee approving a package of bills aimed at lowering the unfunded accrued liability of the state’s thirteen retirement systems. Her report includes highlights of the testimony by State Representative V.J. Bella and Tom Burbank of the State Treasurer’s Office. Laura Myers then reports on the House Health and Welfare Committee deferring a bill allowing the Department of Health and Human Resources to use generic drugs in the Medicaid drug program. Her report includes: State Representative Carl Crane testifying on his bill; State Representative Harry Kember questioning Crane; and interviews with State Representatives Mary Landrieu and Sherman Copelin. Next, Johnson presents an interview with East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Elmer Litchfield. He also conducts an in-studio interview with Lieutenant Mike Roop of the Louisiana State Police, who discusses the proposed cuts to law enforcement. Johnson then presents highlights of State Representatives Ted Haik, John Ensminger, Allen Bradley, and John Travis debating a bill related to uninsured motorist coverage. Lastly, Myers reports on the House Agriculture Committee rejecting a bill establishing parity pricing for Louisiana agricultural products. Her report includes: testimony by businessman Fred Huenefeld; State Representatives Weldon Russell and William Sumlin questioning Huenefeld; an interview with State Representative Francis Thompson; and testimony by Bill Rimes of Louisiana Farm Bureau and State Representative Jimmy Dimos.