Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-06-30

Duration: 00:26:39

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

Contributors:

• Myers, Laura Host
• Nachman, Karen Host
• Gunter, Carl, Jr. Speaker
• Forster, Garey Speaker
• Adley, Robert Speaker
• Thompson, Francis Interviewee
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Reilly, Kevin, Sr. Interviewee
• Landrieu, Mary Speaker
• Downer, Hunt Speaker
• Kelly, Don Speaker
• Windhorst, Fritz Speaker
• Dastugue, Quentin Speaker
• Lowenthal, Margaret Speaker
• Cross, Mike Speaker
• McPherson, Joe Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from June 30, 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 status of the state budget, the more than $600 million in cuts approved by the Legislature, Governor Edwin Edwards vetoing $40 million in proposed cuts, and the Legislature’s efforts to raise more revenue. Their report includes: State Representatives Carl Gunter, Garey Forster, and Robert Adley debating a bill suspending one cent of the sales tax exemption on food, drugs, utilities, and gasoline; an interview with State Representative Francis Thompson on the proposed taxes on alcoholic beverages and soft drinks; and Governor Edwin Edwards speaking to the Baton Rouge Press Club about his veto and the current projection for oil prices used in the state budget. Next, Myers conducts an in-studio interview with State Representative Kevin Reilly, who discusses the state budget debate. Lastly, Myers and Nachman report on the day’s other headlines. These stories include: State Representatives Mary Landrieu and Hunt Downer debating the capital outlay bill; State Senators Don Kelly and Fritz Windhorst debating a bill capping the gasohol tax exemption; State Representatives Quentin Dastugue and Margaret Lowenthal debating a bill raising the minimum drinking age to 21; and State Senators Mike Cross and Joe McPherson debating a bill related to early retirement for state employees.