Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1987-05-29

Duration: 00:25:07

Subjects: Politics | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1987 | STATE BUDGET | Criminal justice, Administration of | Endangered Species | Louisiana. Legislature | Government | Black bear

Contributors:

• Hinton, Rob Host
• Roedts, Lynda Reporter
• Adley, Robert Speaker
• Thompson, Mike Speaker
• Landrieu, Mary Speaker
• Thompson, Francis Speaker
• Laborde, Raymond Speaker
• Dastugue, Quentin Speaker
• Gomez, Ron Speaker
• Cosse, Clark Speaker
• Fontana, Wayne Speaker
• Tannery, Thomas Speaker
• Donelon, Jim Speaker
• Adams, Pete Speaker
• Currier, Nita Laverdet Interviewee
• Jetson, Raymond Speaker
• Barthelemey, Sidney Speaker
• Jefferson, William Speaker
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Caire, Michael Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 29, 1987, features Rob Hinton and Lynda Roedts reporting on the sixth week of the 1987 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Roedts first recaps the week’s activity at the session, including: State Representatives Robert Adley, Mike Thompson, Mary Landrieu, Francis Thompson, Raymond Laborde, and Quentin Dastugue debating the state budget; State Representative Ron Gomez presenting a liability reform bill on the House floor; Clark Cosse and Wayne Fontana of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) testifying on a workers’ compensation reform bill; and Judge Thomas Tanner testifying on a bill establishing a state committee on sentencing guidelines. Next, Hinton reports on the House Criminal Justice Committee approving a bill combining the state pardon and parole boards. It includes highlights of the testimony by State Representative Jim Donelson, the bill’s sponsor, and Pete Adams of the Louisiana DIstrict Attorneys Association. Hinton then conducts an in-studio interview with Nita Laverdet Currier of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, who discusses the reasons for their opposition to Donelon’s bill. Hinton then reports on the week’s headlines, including: State Representative Raymond Jetson testifying on his bill criminalizing the bribing of student athletes; New Orleans Mayor Sidney Barthlelemy testifying on a bill allowing gambling on cruise ships that leave New Orleans; and State Senator William Jefferson discussing his bill allowing for the voluntary drug testing for a person awaiting trial. Lastly, Hinton presents highlights of a press conference with Governor Edwin Edwards and Dr. Michael Caire of the Sierra Club calling upon the federal government to study whether the Louisiana Black Bear should be included on the endangered species list.