Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1980-05-16

Duration: 00:28:28

Subjects: Professional Practices Commission | Filmed panel discussions | Journalists | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1980 | Louisiana. Legislature | Politics | LEGISLATION | Treen, David C., 1928-2009 | Tax exemptions | Mobile homes | MOUTON, EDGAR G. "SONNY" | Henry, E. L. "Bubba" | Oil and gas leases | Public employee strikes | PREVAILING WAGES | Crime | Education | TEACHERS | Teacher certification | Freeman, Robert L., 1934- | Edwards, Edwin W. | Hardy, Paul, 1942- | Louisiana. Department of Transportation and Development

Contributors:

• George, Beth Host
• Irving, John Photographer
• Fourrier, Clay Photographer
• L'Herisson, Sandra Photographer
• Blome, Ron Reporter
• Blome, Ron Editor
• Gates, Bob Producer
• George, Beth Producer
• Fuglaar, Bill Director
• Duffy, Joan Panelist
• Hatfield, J. Dan Panelist
• Hargroder, Charles M. Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 16, 1980, features Beth George leading a panel discussion with three capitol reporters: Joan Duffy of United Press International; J. Dan Hetfield of the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate and State Times; and Charles M. Hargroder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.  They discuss the 1980 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, including: the relationship between Governor Treen and the legislature; the lack of communication between the Treen administration and the legislature on a bill giving a 50% tax exemption to mobile home buyers; Executive Counsel Sonny Mouton and Commissioner of Administration Bubba Henry as outsiders to the Treen administration; the state’s $157 million sale of oil and gas leases and the upcoming debate on how to spend the money; Governor Treen’s philosophy of spending money now; potentially controversial bills, such as a prohibition on strikes by public employees, a repeal of the prevailing wage law, changing crimes against the public from misdemeanors to felonies, and the establishment of a professional practices board for teachers; the lack of organization of the Treen administration; Lieutenant Governor Bobby Freeman remaining without a job after he rejected two committee chairmanships offered by Governor Treen; former Governor Edwin Edwards working to maintain his base of power; trouble for Paul Hardy, the new Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development; and Governor Treen learning to deal with media attention.