Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-05-27

Duration: 00:26:36

Subjects: Government | Gambling | Politics | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1986 | STATE BUDGET | Tax exemptions | Gasohol | Lotteries

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Bella, V.J. Speaker
• Rayburn, B.B. "Sixty" Interviewee
• Alario, John Interviewee
• Jackson, Alphonse Interviewee
• Crane, Carl Interviewee
• Adley, Robert Speaker
• Delpit, Joe Speaker
• Kelly, Don Interviewee
• Odom, Bob Speaker
• Scott, Loren Interviewee
• Leach, Buddy Speaker
• Morrell, Arthur Speaker
• O'Neal, B.F. Speaker
• Grayson, Ben Speaker
• Odom, Bob Interviewee
• Bella, V.J. Interviewee
• Jetson, Raymond Speaker
• Guarisco, Anthony Speaker
• Barthelemy, Sidney Interviewee
• Laborde, Raymond Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 27, 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: Governor Edwin Edwards discussing the $500 million state budget deficit; State Representative V.J. Bella questioning the Governor; interviews with State Senator B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Speaker of the House John Alario on possible state budget cuts; an interview with State Representative Alphonse Jackson on his bill allocating increased fees for revoked or suspended drivers’ licenses to emergency medical services, or EMS; and an interview with State Representative Carl Crane on his bill creating state university license plates. Next, Karen Nachman reports on the House Appropriations Committee approving a bill creating a trust fund for the income received from the severance tax on the sale of oil. Her report includes highlights of State Representative Robert Adley presenting his bill and State Representative Joe Delpit questioning Adley. Johnson then presents an interview with State Senator Don Kelly on his bill related to fees funding the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Next, Laura Myers reports on the House Ways and Means Committee hearing on a bill related to the 16 cent tax exemption on gasohol. Her report includes: testimony by Governor Edwin Edwards and Commissioner of Agriculture Bob Odom; an interview with Dr. Loren Scott, LSU economist; comments by State Representatives Buddy Leach and Arthur Morrell; and testimony by State Representative B.F. O’Neal and Ben Grayson. Johnson then conducts an in-studio interview with Commissioner Bob Odom and State Representative V.J. Bella, who discuss the tax exemption on gasohol. Next, Johnson presents highlights of State Representative Raymond Jetson presenting his bill allowing furloughs for prisoners who are diagnosed with a terminal illness. Lastly, Myers reports on the Senate Judiciary C Committee approving a bill allowing a lottery in the City of New Orleans, but opposing a bill creating a statewide lottery. Her report includes a comment by State Senator Anthony Guarisco, as well as interviews with New Orleans Mayor Sidney Barthelemy and State Representative Raymond Laborde.