Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1996-04-12

Duration: 00:25:10

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1996 | SPECIAL SESSIONS | Apportionment (Election law) | Charter schools | Education

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Chapa, Arcie Reporter
• Windhorst, Steve Speaker
• Martiny, Daniel Speaker
• Vitter, David Speaker
• Barham, Robert Speaker
• Morrell, Arthur Speaker
• Hainkel, John Speaker
• Hunter, Willie Interviewee
• Bruneau, Peppi Interviewee
• Baptiste, Russia Interviewee
• DeMurrill, Ted Interviewee
• Picard, Cecil Interviewee
• Flynn, Valerie Interviewee
• Flynn, Lucas Interviewee
• Courtman, Mark Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from April 12, 1996, features Robert Collins, Jeff Duhe, and Arcie Chapa reporting on the third week of the 1996 Special Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Duhe first recaps the week’s headlines, including: State Representative Steve Windhorst presenting his bill allowing local option for gambling; State Representative Daniel Martiny questioning State Representative David Vitter on a bill requiring a constitutional vote on whether new gambling operations can start without a local vote; State Senator Robert Barham presenting a bill requiring stricter reporting standards for lobbyists; State Representative Arthur Morrell discussing a constitutional amendment related to the drinking age; and State Senator John Hainkel discussing the defeat of his bill creating no-fault auto insurance policies. Collins then interviews State Representatives Willie Hunter and Peppi Bruneau, who discuss their differing views on a redistricting bill redrawing the 4th Congressional District represented by Cleo Fields. Lastly, Chapa reports on a bill expanding the number of charter schools in the state. She visits the Community School for Apprenticeship Learning program in Baton Rouge and interviews: Russia Baptiste, teacher; Ted DeMurrill, teacher; Valerie Flynn, parent; Lucas Flynn, student; and Mark Courtman, the co-founder of the Teacher Empowerment Foundation. She also interviews State Senator Cecil Picard.