Collection:LPB

Genre: Debate

Place Covered: Hammond, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority, Southeastern Louisiana University Foundation

Date Issued: 2015-09-02

Duration: 00:58:12

Subjects: Television debates | Southeastern Louisiana University | Politics | Government | Elections, 2015 | Louisiana gubernatorial election, 2015 | Angelle, Scott | Edwards, John Bel | DARDENNE, JAY | HIGHER EDUCATION | TOPS PROGRAM | Coastal protection | RETIREMENT SYSTEMS | Transportation | Taylor Opportunity Program for Students | Job creation | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | CRIME PREVENTION | COASTAL RESTORATION

Contributors:

• Rivera, Paul Moderator
• Allen, Gary Producer
• Connelly, Kelly Producer
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Quackenbush, Alexis Speaker
• Jones, Crystal Speaker
• Johnson, Aaron Speaker
• Farlow, Brett Speaker
• Walls, Kalin Speaker
• Angelle, Scott Panelist
• Edwards, John Bel Panelist
• Dardenne, Jay Panelist

Paul Rivera moderates a live debate from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond on September 2, 2015, between three of the candidates for Governor: Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle (R); State Representative John Bel Edwards (D); and Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne (R). U.S. Senator David Vitter (R) declined his invitation to attend due to a scheduling conflict. The debate begins with each candidate’s opening statement. For the first round of questions, a panel of students from Southeastern and Northshore Technical Community College, Alexis Quackenbush, Crystal Jones, and Aaron Johnson, ask questions to the candidates on the following topics: the future of the TOPS program; whether the state’s tuition programs should be need-based or merit-based; job creation; decreasing the crime rate; funding coastal restoration and protection projects; reforming the state’s retirement systems; ensuring that college students earn their degrees; encouraging young voters to go to the polls; and funding road and infrastructure projects. For the lightning round of questions, the moderator asks the candidates questions on the following topics: requiring sex education at the high school level; keeping tuition-setting authority with the Legislature; who they support in the 2016 presidential election; protecting the employment rights of LGBT employees; and the actor they would like to have play them in a movie of their life. The debate ends with each candidate’s closing statement.