Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1997-04-11

Duration: 00:26:41

Subjects: Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1997 | Politics | Government | AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Jindal, Bobby Speaker
• Riddle, Charles Interviewee
• Marionneaux, Rob Speaker
• Cain, James David Speaker
• Tapp, Charles Speaker
• Miller, Ken Panelist
• Dardenne, Jay Speaker
• Cravins, Don Speaker
• Barbier, Carl Interviewee
• McMains, Chuck Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from April 11, 1997, features Robert Collins and Jeff Duhe reporting on the week’s events at the second week of the 1997 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Duhe first recaps the major action at the State Capitol, including: Secretary Bobby Jindal of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) testifying in favor of imposing new moratoriums on health care licenses; an interview with State Representative Charles Riddle on the management of the state’s Charity Hospital System; State Representative Rob Marionneaux questioning bills requiring mandatory sentences; State Representative James David Cain presenting his bill allowing victims’ families to witness executions; lobbyist Charles Tapp and Ken Miller, the dean of the LSU School of Social Work, testifying on a bill raising the minimum age for video poker from 18 to 21; State Senator Jay Dardenne discussing his bill enacting punishments for inmates who file frivolous lawsuits; and State Senator Don Cravins questioning the tone of the get tough on crime bills being discussed in committee. Collins then conducts an in-studio interview with State Representative Chuck McMains and Carl Barbier of the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association. They discuss their differing views on McMains’ bill aimed at lowering auto insurance rates.