Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1997-04-18

Duration: 00:26:10

Subjects: Louisiana Legislative Session, 1997 | Louisiana. Legislature | Politics | Government | Elections, 1996 | United States Senate election in Louisiana, 1996 | Elections

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Lancaster, Charles Interviewee
• Ullo, Chris Speaker
• Hainkel, John Speaker
• Heitmeier, Francis Speaker
• Guidry, John Speaker
• Brown, Jim Speaker
• Ranier, Drew Speaker
• Romero, Craig Speaker
• Meyer, Suzanne Speaker
• Irons, Paulette Speaker
• Landry, Ron Speaker
• Bruneau, Peppi Speaker
• Copelin, Sherman Speaker
• Dupree, Reggie Interviewee
• Iles, Kay Interviewee
• Campbell, Foster Speaker
• Jordan, Max Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from April 18, 1997, features Robert Collins and Jeff Duhe reporting on the week’s events at the third week of the 1997 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Collins first reports on the United States Senate Rules Committee voting to expand the investigation into alleged voter fraud in the 1996 United States Senate election between Mary Landrieu and Woody Jenkins. Next, Collins conducts an in-studio interview with State Representative Charles Lancaster, the chairman of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee. He discusses the election reform bills under consideration at the session, including a bill requiring photo identification before voting. Lastly, Duhe recaps the major action at the State Capitol, including: State Senators Chris Ullo and John Hainkel debating a bill mandating a 25% rebate on car insurance if you do not make a claim in 3 years; State Senators John Guidry and Craig Romero questioning State Senator Francis Heitmeier and Commissioner of Insurance Jim Brown on a bill barring uninsured motorists from collecting the first $10,000 they claim for damages following a car accident; Drew Ranier of the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association testifying against the bill; Suzanne Meyer, Unitarian minister, testifying against a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage; State Senators Paulette Irons and Ron Landry debating the same-sex marriage bill; State Representatives Peppi Bruneau and Sherman Copelin debating a bill sentencing cocaine dealers to life in prison; an interview with State Representative Reggie Dupree on a bill related to the blood alcohol levels for drunk driving for people under age 21; an interview with State Representative Kay Iles on her bill related to chemical castration for sexual predators; and State Senators Foster Campbell and Max Jordan debating a bill consolidating the higher education governing boards into one superboard.