Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-05-14

Duration: 00:26:17

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | BLUE LAWS | MAYORS | Local governments | Louisiana. State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1986

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Bradley, Allen Interviewee
• Leach, Buddy Speaker
• Bares, Allen Speaker
• Lauricella, Hank Speaker
• Hayes, Jimmy Speaker
• Bagert, Ben Speaker
• Doucet, Eddie Interviewee
• Hamilton, Bruce Speaker
• Nicholson, Elwyn Speaker
• Ruth, Gerard Speaker
• Walbrette, Henri Speaker
• Dimos, Jimmy Interviewee
• Miller, Ralph Interviewee
• Blackmon, Evelyn Interviewee
• Mapes, Bud Speaker
• Ward, Ken Speaker
• Robson, John Speaker
• Badin, Fred Interviewee
• Sumpter, Dennis Interviewee
• Screen, Pat Interviewee
• Prejean, Rod Interviewee
• Sampite, Joe Interviewee
• Taylor, Richard Interviewee
• Sumlin, William Interviewee
• Forster, Garey Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 14, 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, including an interview with State Representative Allen Bradley on his bill limiting the amount of cash contributions to candidates for local or statewide offices. Next, Karen Nachman reports on the Senate Commerce Committee approving a bill re-dedicating $100 million of the 8g settlement for offshore oil and gas royalties to economic development instead of public works. Her report includes testimony and comments by State Representative Buddy Leach, State Senator Allen Bares, State Senator Hank Lauricella, Jimmy Hayes, and State Senator Ben Bagert. Johnson then presents an interview with State Representative Eddie Doucet on the ongoing state budget hearings in the House Appropriations Committee. Next, Laura Myers reports on the House Commerce Committee approving a bill repealing the state’s Sunday closing laws, or blue laws. Her report includes testimony by: Bruce Hamilton, pet store owner; State Senator Elwyn Nicholson; Gerard Ruth, furniture retailer; Henri Wolbrette, lobbyist; Bud Mapes, lobbyist for the Louisiana Retailers Association; Ken Ward of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation; and John Robson, Baptist minister. Her report also includes interviews with State Representatives Jimmy Dimos, Ralph Miller, and Evelyn Blackmon. Next, Karen Nachman reports on the 9th Annual Mayors Day sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and the concerns about the proposed cuts to local governments. Her report includes interviews with Pineville Mayor Fred Badin, Sulphur Mayor Dennis Sumpter, Baton Rouge Mayor Pat Screen, and Brusly Mayor Rod Prejean. Johnson then conducts an in-studio interview with Natchitoches Mayor Joe Sampite, the vice president of the Louisiana Municipal Association. Next, Myers reports on the House Education Committee approving a bill adding a student member to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). Her report includes interviews with Richard Taylor, a student at Scotlandville Magnet School, and State Representative William Sumlin. Lastly, Johnson presents an interview with State Representative Garey Forster on his bill taking away the Governor’s power to appoint BESE board members.