Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2022-04-25

Duration: 00:58:39

Subjects: Politics | Government | Apportionment (Election law) | VOTING RIGHTS

Contributors:

• Moreau, Andre Host
• Johnson, Ben Producer
• Rigamer, Greg Interviewee
• Collins, Eugene Interviewee
• Procopio, Steven Interviewee
• Edwards, John Bel Speaker
• Hewitt, Sharon Panelist
• Fields, Cleo Panelist
• Evans, Jared Panelist
• Reilly, Bruce Interviewee
• Stefanski, John Panelist
• Duplessis, Royce Panelist
• Reilly, Bruce Panelist
• Johnson, Ben Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana Spotlight” from April 25, 2022, focuses on redistricting in Louisiana and African American’s hopes for a second majority-minority Congressional district in the state. The first segment looks at the history of redistricting in Louisiana and the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 on the process. It includes interviews with Greg Rigamer, a political consultant and pollster, and Eugene Collins, the president of the Baton Rouge chapter of the NAACP. Next, host Andre Moreau interviews Dr. Steven Procopio, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR), who discusses the redistricting process, the Legislature overriding the Governor’s veto of the Congressional map with only one majority-minority district, and the legal challenge against the Congressional map. The next segment features a look at Governor John Bel Edwards’ comments on the redistricting process and his support of a second majority-minority Congressional district. Moreau then leads a panel discussion with: State Senator Sharon Hewitt, the chairwoman of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee; State Senator Cleo Fields; and Jared Evans, the voting rights attorney for the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund. They discuss: the Congressional map passed by the Legislature with only one majority-minority district; Senator Fields’ proposed map with two majority-minority Congressional districts; and whether an independent commission should be in charge of redistricting. The next segment focuses on the issue of prison gerrymandering and includes an interview with Bruce Reilly, the deputy director of Voice of the Experienced (VOTE). Next, Moreau leads a panel discussion with: State Representative John Stefanski, the chairman of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee; State Representative Royce Duplessis, the vice chairman of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee; and Bruce Reilly of VOTE. They discuss: prison gerrymandering; the Legislative Black Caucus’ support of a second majority-minority district; and whether an independent commission should be in charge of redistricting. Lastly, Moreau interviews Ben Johnson, the show’s producer, who discusses his experience in producing the show.