Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1985-07-09

Duration: 00:28:20

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1985 | Education | Gasohol | LOBBYISTS | STATE BUDGET

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Epling, Carrel Speaker
• Smith, Charlie Interviewee
• Adams, Pete Interviewee
• Buckingham, Neil Interviewee
• Tate, Tom Interviewee
• Hayden, Randy Interviewee
• Leach, Buddy Speaker
• Accardo, Joseph Speaker
• O'Neal, B.F. Interviewee
• Coch, Johnny Interviewee
• Lowenthal, Margaret Interviewee
• Cusimano, Charles Interviewee
• Jones, Charles D. Interviewee
• Henderson, Russell Interviewee
• Bussie, Victor Interviewee
• Steimel, Ed Interviewee
• Reilly, Kevin, Sr. Interviewee
• Hudson, Tommy Interviewee
• Delpit, Joe Interviewee
• Kiefer, Nat Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from July 9, 1985, features Ken Johnson hosting a recap of the 1985 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Johnson first reports on the major issues of the session, including the defeat of the majority of Governor Edwin Edwards' education reform package. He also presents highlights from a press conference with Carrel Epling, the president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. Next, Laura Myers asks lobbyists the most common phrases they hear from legislators. She interviews lobbyists Charlie Smith, Pete Adams, Neil Buckingham, Tom Tate, and Randy Hayden. Myers then reports on the House debate on the last day of the session on a bill providing a sixteen cent tax exemption to gasohol producers. Her report includes highlights of State Representatives Buddy Leach and Joseph Accardo debating the bill on the House floor, as well as interviews with State Representative B.F. O’Neal and lobbyist Neil Buckingham. Next, Myers interviews legislators and lobbyists on their views on the major issues of the session, including: Johnny Coch, lobbyist; State Representative Margaret Lowenthal; State Representative Chuck Cusimano; State Representative Charles D. Jones; Russell Henderson of the Ecology Center; Victor Bussie, the president of the Louisiana AFL-CIO; Ed Steimel, the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI); and State Representative Kevin Reilly. Johnson then conducts an in-studio interview with State Senator Tommy Hudson and State Representative Joe Delpit. They discuss: Louisiana residents becoming more aware of the state’s problems; the 5% across-the-board state budget cuts; Governor Edwin Edwards’ effectiveness as a leader; and the role of the teachers’ unions in the education reform debate. Lastly, Johnson reports on the death of State Senator Nat Kiefer.