Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-05-30

Duration: 00:27:24

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1986 | Louisiana. Department of Agriculture and Forestry | Louisiana Association of Educators | Louisiana. Legislature | Education | Health Care

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Ridgeway, Vern Interviewee
• Bella, V.J. Interviewee
• Deano, Ed Speaker
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Jackson, Alphonse Interviewee
• Williams, Shirley Speaker
• Spears, Jesse Interviewee
• Narcisse, Lawrence Interviewee
• Bruneau, Peppi Speaker
• Thompson, Francis Speaker
• Kimball, Clyde Speaker
• Cusimano, Charles Interviewee
• Copelin, Sherman Speaker
• Forster, Garey Speaker
• Frost, Greg Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 30, 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 Verne Ridgeway, an assistant secretary for the Department of Health and Human Resources, on a bill requiring state employees to pay at least a portion of the insurance premium for substance abuse benefits; an interview with State Representative V.J. Bella on his bills addressing the sustainability of the state retirement system; and State Representative Ed Deano testifying on a package of bills aimed at the state’s economic recovery. Next, Laura Myers reports on Governor Edwin Edwards’ press conference, where he discusses not being the target of the federal grand jury investigation into the state’s dealings with Texaco, his view that gambling will be legalized in the future, his plan to seek reelection in 1987, and the state budget deficit. Johnson then presents an interview with State Representative Alphonse Jackson on his bill requiring cities with at least 5,000 residents to fluoridate their water systems. Next, Karen Nachman reports on a press conference with Shirley Williams, the president of the Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE), discussing the $24 million in proposed cuts to the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) for K-12 education. Johnson then conducts an in-studio interview with Jesse Spears, the executive director of LAE, and Lawrence Narcisse, the chief lobbyist for LAE. They discuss the impact of the proposed cuts to the MFP, the education reform bills under consideration at the session, and the biggest problems facing public education in the state. Next, Johnson reports on the House approving a bill moving the Office of Forestry into the Department of Agriculture. His report includes highlights of State Representatives Peppi Bruneau, Francis Thompson, and Clyde Kimball debating the bill on the House floor. Lastly, Myers reports on the House Health and Welfare Committee deferring two bills setting up study committees related to health care costs. Her report includes: an interview with State Representative Charles Cusimano on his bill establishing a committee to study alternative ways to deliver health care to the medically indigent; State Representative Sherman Copelin questioning the bill; an interview with State Representative Alphonse Jackson; and State Representative Garey Forster and Greg Frost of the Louisiana Hospital Association testifying on a bill establishing a committee to study hospital costs.