Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1988-04-29

Duration: 00:26:40

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1988 | Education | Transportation

Contributors:

• Lormand, Ken Host
• Sockman, Roger Reporter
• Roemer, Buddy Speaker
• Desselle, Stephanie Interviewee
• Smith, Robert Interviewee
• Hollis, Ken Interviewee
• Delpit, Joe Interviewee
• Dimos, Jimmy Interviewee
• Roemer, Buddy Interviewee
• Jumonville, J.E. Speaker
• Vaughn, J.W. Interviewee
• St. Raymond, James Speaker
• Travis, John Speaker
• Wagoner, Neil Speaker
• Huckaby, Jerry Interviewee
• Roach, Randy Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from April 29, 1988, features Ken Lormand and Roger Sockman reporting on the second week of the 1988 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Sockman first reports on the week’s education headlines. These stories include: the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) selecting Dr. Wilmer Cody as the new State Superintendent of Education; Governor Buddy Roemer testifying before the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget in favor of Dr. Cody’s $100,000 salary; an interview with Stephanie Desselle, Governor Roemer’s deputy assistant, on education reform; an interview with Chancellor Robert Smith of Southern University in Shreveport on his meeting with Governor Roemer on keeping the school open; and the Board of Regents naming Dr. Sally Clausen as the permanent Commissioner of Higher Education. Next, Ken Lormand reports on Governor Roemer’s address to the Legislature, including interviews with State Senator Ken Hollis and State Representative Joe Delpit on their reactions. His report also includes highlights of Governor Roemer’s address to a meeting of the Association of General Contractors. Sockman then recaps the week’s other activity at the session. These stories include: an interview with Speaker of the House Jimmy Dimos following a meeting of the Revenue Estimating Conference; an interview with Governor Roemer on his hope to return state workers to a 40-hour work week if the state has more revenue than expected; State Senator J.E. Jumonville addressing a rally of school employees; and an interview with J.W. Vaughn, the rally organizer. Next, Lormand reports on the House floor debate on a bill repealing the prevailing wage law, including comments by State Representatives James St. Raymond and John Travis. Lastly, Sockman reports on state highway construction projects, including the opening of a 31-mile stretch of Interstate 49 from Boyce to Natchitoches, the plans to widen Highway 165 from Alexandria to Monroe, the plans to widen Highway 90 from Morgan City to Houma, and the plans to widen Highway 171 from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arkansas state line if funds can be found. His report includes highlights of Secretary Neil Wagoner of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development speaking at the opening of Interstate 49, as well as interviews with Congressman Jerry Huckaby and State Representative Randy Roach.