Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1989-05-26

Duration: 00:27:01

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1989 | Drugs | Lotteries | Vocational-technical schools

Contributors:

• Zewe, Charles Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Dastugue, Quentin Speaker
• Adley, Robert Interviewee
• Malek-Wiley, Darryl Interviewee
• Bowen, Phillip Interviewee
• Price, Miriam Interviewee
• Roemer, Buddy Speaker
• Jefferson, William Interviewee
• Bradley, Allen Interviewee
• Thompson, Francis Interviewee
• Jackson, Alphonse Interviewee
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Clayton, Lynn Speaker
• Hollis, Ken Speaker
• Steimel, Ed Speaker
• Lancaster, Charles Interviewee
• Drennen, Mark Interviewee
• Robinson, John Speaker
• Rayburn, B.B. "Sixty" Speaker
• Jumonville, J.E. Speaker
• Burt, Edward Interviewee
• Whittington, Mona Interviewee
• Whitey, Rick Interviewee
• Bagert, Ben Interviewee
• Fields, Cleo Interviewee
• Adams, Pete Interviewee
• Long, Earl K. Speaker
• Long, Blanche Speaker
• Long, Russell Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 26, 1989, features Charles Zewe and Karen Nachman reporting on the sixth week of the 1989 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Zewe first reports on the week’s headlines, including: State Representative Quentin Dastugue discussing his bill creating a highway trust fund on the House floor; an interview with State Representative Robert Adley on a bill creating a pilot program to privatize charity hospitals and prisons; and interviews with Darryl Malek-Wiley of the Sierra Club, Phillip Bower of the Louisiana Chemical Association, and Miriam Price on a bill reducing statewide toxic emissions. Next, Zewe reports on Governor Buddy Roemer’s address to a joint session of the legislature to outline his plan to raise $400 million in a special session to help deal with the $700 million state budget deficit. His report includes interviews with: State Senator William Jefferson; State Representative Allen Bradley; State Representative Francis Thompson; and State Representative Alphonse Jackson. Nachman then reports on the Senate Judiciary C Committee hearing on bills aimed at creating a statewide lottery. Her report includes highlights of the testimony by: Lynn Clayton, editor of the Baptist Messenger; State Senator Ken Hollis; Ed Steimel, former president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry; and Reverend John Robinson of Baton Rouge. She also interviews State Representative Charles Lancaster and Mark Drennen of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR). Next, Zewe reports on a rally in support of the state’s vo-tech schools. It includes highlights of the speeches by State Senator B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn and State Senator J.E. Jumonville. He also interviews: Edward Burt, teacher; Mona Whittington, student; Rick Whitey, student. Nachman then reports on the anti-drug legislative package under consideration at the session. Her report includes interviews with: State Senator Ben Bagert; State Senator Cleo Fields; and Pete Adams of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association. Lastly, Zewe presents highlights of the LPB documentary Uncle Earl to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Governor Earl Long’s efforts to seek a second consecutive term and his subsequent tirade in the state legislature that led to his commitment to a mental hospital.