Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-05-19

Duration: 00:25:56

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1986 | Economy | Local governments | Liability (Law) | SALES TAX | BLUE LAWS

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Tinnerello, Mike Interviewee
• Bella, V.J. Interviewee
• Tauzin, Billy Interviewee
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Tauzin, Billy Speaker
• Schreiber, Eugene Speaker
• Crane, Carl Interviewee
• Ullo, Chris Interviewee
• Hainkel, John Interviewee
• Cross, Mike Interviewee
• Nader, Ralph Speaker
• Gomez, Ron Speaker
• Steimel, Ed Speaker
• Fernandez, Manny Speaker
• Downer, Hunt Speaker
• Gomez, Ron Interviewee
• Doucet, Eddie Interviewee
• Ackal, Bo Interviewee
• Kimball, Clyde Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 19, 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: an interview with State Representative Mike Tinnerello on the state budget moving to the House floor; an interview with State Representative V.J. Bella on his view that there should be more budget cuts to state agencies; and an interview with Congressman Billy Tauzin on the defeat of a bill lifting the severance tax on marginal oil and gas wells. Next, Laura Myers reports on an Economic Summit held in Baton Rouge, including highlights of the speeches by Governor Edwin Edwards, Congressman Billy Tauzin, and Eugene Schreiber of the World Trade Center of New Orleans. Johnson then presents an interview with State Representative Carl Crane on the House Ways and Means Committee approving his bill creating a higher education trust fund. Next, Karen Nachman reports on the House Ways and Means Committee approving a bill allowing local governments to raise their own sales taxes. She interviews State Representatives V.J. Bella, Chris Ullo, and John Hainkel. Johnson then presents an interview with State Senator Mike Cross on his bill offering early retirement to state employees. Next, Myers reports on the committee hearing for a package of liability reform or tort reform bills. Her report includes testimony and comments by: Ralph Nader, consumer advocate; State Representative Ron Gomez; Ed Steimel, the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI); State Representative Manny Fernandez; and State Representative Hunt Downer. Johnson then conducts an in-studio interview with State Representative Ron Gomez, who discusses the high cost of liability insurance and his liability reform package. Lastly, Johnson reports on the House approving the repeal of the Sunday closing laws, or blue laws, including interviews with State Representatives Eddie Doucet, Bo Ackal, and Clyde Kimball