Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1996-04-05

Duration: 00:27:17

Subjects: Government | Politics | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1996 | SPECIAL SESSIONS | Health Care

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Chapa, Arcie Reporter
• Foster, Mike Speaker
• Cravins, Don Speaker
• Windhorst, Steve Speaker
• Brun, Roy Speaker
• Henderson, Paula Speaker
• Bowler, Shirley Speaker
• Barham, Robert Speaker
• Guidry, John Speaker
• McMains, Chuck Interviewee
• Barbier, Carl Interviewee
• Dardenne, Jay Speaker
• Jindal, Bobby Speaker
• Jewell, Lynn Speaker
• Jindal, Bobby Interviewee
• Bussie, Fran Speaker
• Breaux, John Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from April 5, 1996, features Robert Collins, Jeff Duhe, and Arcie Chapa reporting on the second week of the 1996 Special Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Duhe first recaps the week’s headlines, including: a press conference with Governor Mike Foster, State Senator Don Cravins, and State Representative Steve Windhorst discussing the change in the gambling bill to parish option instead of a constitutional amendment; State Representative Roy Brun presenting his bill allowing for a statewide concealed handguns permit on the House floor; Paula Henderson, a consumer advocate, testifying against a bill allowing no-fault auto insurance policies; Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff Charles Foti testifying in favor of a bill limiting lawsuits against state and local governments; State Representative Shirley Bowler questioning Foti; and State Senators Robert Barham and John Guidry debating a bill eliminating strict liability lawsuits. Duhe then interviews State Representative Chuck McMains and Carl Barbier of the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, who discuss McMains’ tort reform package. Lastly, Arcie Chapa reports on the Senate approving a bill creating the Capital Area Human Services District, a Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) pilot program putting control of the state’s health care delivery system in the Baton Rouge region in the hands of a local board. Her report includes highlights of the testimony on the bill in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, including State Senator Jay Dardenne, DHH Secretary Bobby Jindal, Lynn Jewell of the Pointe Coupee Parish Health System, and Fran Bussie of the Louisiana AFL-CIO. Her report also includes highlights of State Senator John Guidry questioning Dardenne on the bill on the Senate floor, as well as United States Senator John Breaux giving a status report on the federal Medicaid funding bill.