Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2019-08-16

Duration: 00:07:42

Subjects: Alario, John A. Jr., 1943- | Louisiana. Legislature | Politics | State legislators

Contributors:

• Williams, Natasha Host
• Crews, Keith Editor
• Alario, John Interviewee

This segment from the August 16, 2019, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Natasha Williams’ interview with retiring Senate President John Alario, who has served in the Louisiana Legislature since 1972. Alario is the only state legislator to serve two terms as both the Speaker of the House (1984-1988; 1992-1996) and President of the Senate (2012-2020). He discusses: being inspired to run for public office by his uncle; his decision to retire after 48 years of service; one of his first bills; his work in supporting special education, creating the Revenue Estimating Conference, and limiting the amount of bonds that the state can issue; his thoughts on his final session; his concerns about the increased partisanship in the Legislature; and his hopes that the state will continue to invest in education and health care.