Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1996-11-01

Duration: 00:26:32

Subjects: Elections, 1996 | Gambling

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Chapa, Arcie Reporter
• Speligene, Sam Interviewee
• Wiley, Jeff Interviewee
• Hughes, Rodney Interviewee
• Berthelot, Johnny Interviewee
• Foster, Mike Speaker
• Smith, Mike Interviewee
• Gray, Tom Interviewee
• Adley, Robert Speaker
• Lalonde, Raymond Speaker
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Rittvo, Steve Interviewee
• Ewing, Randy Interviewee
• Ashey, Alton Interviewee
• Cravins, Don Interviewee
• Weill, Gus Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from November 1, 1996, features Arcie Chapa reporting on the November 5th statewide local option election on gambling. She interviews: Sam Speligene, businessman; Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley; Rodney Hughes, businessman; Gonzales Mayor Johnny Berthelot; Mike Smith, gambling opponent; Tom Gray, executive director of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling; Steve Rittvo, urban planner; Senate President Randy Ewing; Alton Ashey, video poker lobbyist; and State Senator Don Cravins. Her report also includes: Governor Mike Foster’s ad stating his intention to vote no; a look back at the 1992 legislative debate on the New Orleans casino, including comments by State Representatives Robert Adley and Raymond Lalonde and former Governor Edwin Edwards; a look back at the 1995 legislative debate on local option, including comments by State Senator Ewing; and highlights of a recent meeting of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Host Robert Collins then conducts an in-studio interview with Mike Smith of Citizens’ Actions for Gambling’s End and Gus Weill, a public relations consultant for two riverboat casinos in Baton Rouge. They discuss their differing views on gambling.