Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-06-09

Duration: 00:25:39

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1986 | STATE BUDGET

Contributors:

• Myers, Laura Host
• Nachman, Karen Host
• Delpit, Joe Interviewee
• Allen, Merlin Interviewee
• Risinger, Bill Interviewee
• Johnson, Jon Interviewee
• Dewitt, Charles Interviewee
• Jackson, Alphonse Interviewee
• Martin, Harold, Jr. Interviewee
• Casteel, Sandy Interviewee
• Davis, Mary Interviewee
• Crane, Carl Speaker
• Scott, Jock Interviewee
• Lauricella, Hank Interviewee
• Roemer, Buddy Speaker
• Rayburn, B.B. "Sixty" Speaker
• Newman, Cliff Speaker
• Nunez, Sammy Interviewee
• Alario, John Interviewee
• Laborde, Raymond Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from June 9, 1986, features Laura Myers and Karen Nachman hosting a daily legislative report on the 1986 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. They first report on the day’s headlines. These stories include: an interview with State Representative Joe Delpit on a bill levying a tax on raffles, bingo, and keno games; interviews with Dr. Merlin Allen of the Louisiana Family Physicians Association and Dr. Bill Risinger, optometrist, on a bill expanding the practice of optometry; and an interview with State Senator Jon Johnson on his bill establishing state and local commissions on discrimination against African Americans and women in housing and employment. Next, Myers reports on the House Ways and Means Committee deferring a bill lifting the tax exemption on the Superdome’s amusement tax, including an interview with State Representative Charles Dewitt. Myers then presents an interview with State Representative Alphonse Jackson on his bill requiring gasohol to be produced using Louisiana products. Next, Nachman reports on the organizations impacted by the $437 million in budget cuts approved by the Senate Finance Committee. Her report includes interviews with: Harold Martin, Jr. of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill; Sandy Casteel of the Northeast Louisiana Special Education Center; and Mary Davis of the Louisiana Museum Board. Myers then reports on the House Appropriations Committee hearing on three bills allocating the $605 million 8g settlement. Her report includes testimony by State Representative Carl Crane, as well as interviews with State Representative Jock Scott and State Senator Hank Lauricella. Next, Nachman presents highlights of Congressman Buddy Roemer testifying in favor of a bill allowing interstate banking. Nachman then reports on the Senate floor debate on the state budget. Her report includes: State Senator B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, presenting the state budget; State Senator Cliff Newman debating the budget; and interviews with Senate President Sammy Nunez and Speaker of the House John Alario. Lastly, Myers interviews State Representative Raymond Laborde, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. He discusses: the status of revenue generating measures in the House; the current state budget being debated in the Senate; and the possibility that the bill legalizing gambling will be revived.