Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-06-02

Duration: 00:26:01

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1986 | Retirement | STATE BUDGET | Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, Inc.

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Perlman, Ralph Interviewee
• Alexander, Avery Interviewee
• James, Ponder Interviewee
• O'Neal, B.F. Interviewee
• Nelson, Sydney Interviewee
• Cross, Mike Speaker
• Hollis, Ken Speaker
• McLeod, William Speaker
• Russell, Weldon Interviewee
• Diez, Juba Interviewee
• Rayburn, B.B. "Sixty" Speaker
• Ducote, Kirby Speaker
• Jefferson, William Speaker
• Campbell, Foster Speaker
• Nunez, Sammy Speaker
• Drennan, Mark Interviewee
• Windhorst, Fritz Interviewee
• Ryan, Earl Interviewee
• Lauricella, Hank Speaker
• Barham, Charles Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from June 2, 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 Ralph Perlman, executive budget officer, on the upcoming State Civil Service Commission vote for his $8,000 a year raise; an interview with State Representative Avery Alexander on a bill raising the mandatory retirement age to 75; an interview with Ponder James of the Louisiana School Boards Association on the defeat of a proposed constitutional amendment increasing the maximum millage authorized for parish school boards without voter approval; an interview with State Representative B.F. O’Neal on a bill giving a tax exemption for commuter airlines; and an interview with State Senator Sydney Nelson on the defeat of his efforts to repeal the law related to the regulation of midwifery. Next, Karen Nachman reports on the Senate Retirement Committee approving a bill establishing an early retirement incentive program for state employees. Her report includes highlights of State Senator Mike Cross testifying on his bill, as well as State Senators Ken Hollis and William McLeod questioning Cross. Johnson then continues reporting on the day’s headlines. These stories include: an interview with State Representative Weldon Russell on a bill establishing a commission to commemorate Louisiana’s 175th birthday; an interview with State Representative Juba Diez on the defeat of a bill allowing retailers 15 days to pay for beer purchases; and the House Appropriations Committee voting in favor of allowing one Charity Hospital to be turned over to a private management firm for 3 years. Next, Laura Myers reports on the ongoing state budget hearings in the Senate Finance Committee. Her report includes: a heated debate between Kirby Ducote of the Citizens for Educational Freedom and State Senators B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn, William Jefferson and Foster Campbell on the possible restoration of $980,000 for special education programs at private schools and the reimbursement given to parents of students in private school for school transportation; Senate President Sammy Nunez speaking to the Baton Rouge Press Club about the state budget deficit; and interviews with Ralph Perlman of the Executive Budget Office, Mark Drennan of the Legislative Fiscal Office, and State Senator Fritz Windhorst. Johnson then conducts an in-studio interview with Earl Ryan, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR), who discusses the possible impact of state budget cuts. Lastly, Johnson reports on State Senator Hank Lauricella’s successful effort to override a committee vote on his bill reducing the tobacco stamp discount and dedicating the money to economic development. His report also includes highlights of State Senators B.B. “Sixty: Rayburn and Charles Barham debating the override.