Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1985-05-15

Duration: 00:25:39

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1985 | SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION | Louisiana. State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education | Tourism

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Edwards, Edwin Interviewee
• Jackson, Alphonse Interviewee
• Bajoie, Diana Speaker
• Giordano, Sam Speaker
• Nicholson, Elwyn Interviewee
• Ullo, Chris Interviewee
• Mamoulides, John Speaker
• LeBlanc, Noelle Speaker
• Garrett, Chris Speaker
• Neble, Ed Speaker
• Forster, Garey Speaker
• Winslow, Nick Interviewee
• Bankston, Jesse Interviewee
• Nunez, Sammy Speaker
• Kiefer, Nat Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 15, 1985, features Ken Johnson hosting a daily legislative report on the 1985 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Johnson first reports on the day’s headlines. These stories include: the Senate passing a bill making the Superintendent of Education an appointive position after three senators change their vote; an interview with Governor Edwin Edwards following the vote; an interview with State Representative Alphonse Jackson on his opposition to a resolution directing the Board of Elementary and Education (BESE) to review the curriculum requirements for public schools; State Representative Diana Bajoie and Sam Giordano, an amusement park operator, testifying on Bajoie’s bill regulating amusement park and carnival rides; an interview with State Senator Elwyn Nicholson on the defeat of his bill repealing the Sunday closing laws, or blue laws; an interview with State Representative Chris Ullo on his support of the right to know bill requiring chemical plants to disclose the chemicals they have on site; and Jefferson Parish District Attorney John Mamoulides testifying on a bill restricting the furlough for certain prisoners. Next, Laura Myers reports on the House Commerce Committee’s approval of the 1985-1986 tourism master plan. Her report includes: Noelle LeBlanc of the Office of Tourism, Chris Garrett of Monroe, and Ed Neble of the University of New Orleans testifying on the plan; State Representative Garey Forster complementing the plan; and an interview with Nick Winslow of Harrison Price. Johnson then interviews Jesse Bankston, a member of the BESE Board. He discusses their support of making the Superintendent of Education an appointive position. Lastly, Johnson presents footage of Senate President Sammy Nunez introducing State Senator Nat Kiefer on the Senate floor before the vote on the Superintendent of Education bill. Senator Kiefer, who is seriously ill and was flown in for the vote, then makes a short speech on his gratitude for being back with his Senate colleagues.