Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-05-09

Duration: 00:27:31

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1986 | STATE BUDGET | Gambling | TRIALS | Edwards, Edwin W.

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Ackal, Bo Speaker
• Robinson, Sandra Speaker
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Forster, Garey Interviewee
• DeBrueys, Warren Speaker
• Swaggert, Jimmy Interviewee
• Delpit, Joe Interviewee
• Tinnerello, Michael Interviewee
• Scogin, Ed Interviewee
• Thompson, Francis Interviewee
• Cannatella, Ron Interviewee
• Baker, Richard Interviewee
• Gravel, Camille Speaker
• Volz, John Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 9, 1986, features Ken Johnson hosting a daily legislative report on the 1986 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Johnson first reports on the day’s headlines. These stories include State Representative Bo Ackal, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, criticizing the Department of Health and Human Resources’ (DHHR) proposed list of budget cuts and DHHR Secretary Sandra Robinson’s response. Johnson then reports on Louisiana’s struggling economy due to the drop in oil prices and Governor Edwin Edwards’ proposal to legalize casino gambling in New Orleans and a state lottery. Next, Karen Nachman reports on the legislative reaction to the gambling proposal. Her report includes interviews with State Representatives Joe Delpit, Michael Tinnerello, Ed Scogin, and Francis Thompson. Johnson then conducts an in-studio interview with Ron Cannatella, the president of the police union in New Orleans, and State Representative Richard Baker. They debate the casino gambling proposal. Lastly, Laura Myers reports on the latest news from the seventh week of the retrial of Governor Edwin Edwards and four other defendants in New Orleans on fraud and racketeering charges related to the permitting process for building new hospitals and nursing homes. Her report focuses on the first day of jury deliberations. Her report includes highlights of press conferences on the courthouse steps with defense attorney Camille Gravel, Governor Edwards, and United States Attorney John Volz.