Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1988-10-14

Duration: 00:26:37

Subjects: School boards | Politics | Government | SPECIAL SESSIONS | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1988 | Louisiana. Legislature | Roemer, Buddy | Tax reform | Local governments

Contributors:

• Lormand, Ken Host
• Sockman, Roger Reporter
• Roemer, Buddy Interviewee
• Cain, James David Speaker
• Dastugue, Quentin Speaker
• Bruneau, Peppi Speaker
• Kimball, Clyde Speaker
• Gomez, Ron Interviewee
• Moffett, Jim Bob Speaker
• Long, Huey Speaker
• Carleton, Mark Interviewee
• Edwards, Edwin Interviewee
• Burgess, Gordon Interviewee
• Bennett, Charles Interviewee
• Bryant, Robert Interviewee
• Dunn, William Interviewee
• Lucia, Michael Interviewee
• Sitting, John Interviewee
• Hodgkins, Vic Interviewee
• Stringer, Bobby Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from October 14, 1988, features Ken Lormand and Roger Sockman reporting on the second week of the second Special Session of the Louisiana Legislature and Governor Buddy Roemer’s fiscal reform plan. Sockman first reports on the House passing Governor Roemer’s tax package with amendments by two votes. His report includes: an interview with Governor Roemer; State Representatives James David Cain, Quentin Dastugue, Peppi Bruneau, and Clyde Kimball debating amendments on the House floor; and an interview with State Representative Ron Gomez, the bill’s sponsor. Next, Sockman reports on a rally at the State Capitol sponsored by the Louisiana Council for Fiscal Reform. It includes highlights of the speeches by Jim Bob Moffett, the founder of the organization and president of Freeport-McMoRan, and Governor Roemer. Lormand and Sockman then present three reports on Governor Roemer’s plan to shift more authority to local governments. First, Lormand reports on the history of populism in Louisiana, including highlights from the career of Governor Huey Long. He also interviews Dr. Mark Carleton, LSU history professor, and former Governor Edwin Edwards. Next, Lormand reports on the state denying Tangipahoa Parish’s request to file bankruptcy. He interviews: Governor Roemer; Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess; and Tangipahoa Parish residents Charles Bennett, Robert Bryant, and William Dunn. Lastly, Sockman reports on school boards’ views of Roemer’s tax reform plan and its impact on school funding. He interviews: Superintendent Michael Lucia of Pointe Coupee Parish; John Sitting, the president of the Acadia Parish School Board; Vic Hodgkins, the director of the Louisiana School Boards Association; and Superintendent Bobby Stringer of Acadia Parish.