Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1988-06-24

Duration: 00:27:03

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1988 | SALES TAX | Lotteries

Contributors:

• Lormand, Ken Host
• Sockman, Roger Reporter
• Dimos, Jimmy Speaker
• Gomez, Ron Speaker
• Travis, John Speaker
• Roemer, Buddy Interviewee
• Jones, Charles R. Speaker
• Bruneau, Peppi Speaker
• Alexander, Avery Speaker
• Jefferson, William Interviewee
• Alario, John Interviewee
• Downer, Hunt Speaker
• Wagoner, Neil Speaker
• Casey, Tom Speaker
• Bajoie, Diana Speaker
• Clayton, Lynn Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from June 24, 1988, features Ken Lormand and Roger Sockman reporting on the tenth week of the 1988 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Sockman first reports on the House defeating and then approving an amended version of Governor Buddy Roemer’s plan to repeal two cents of the state sales tax exemption on food, drugs, and utilities for a one-year period in order to fund his bridge financing plan for local governments. His report includes: Speaker of the House Jimmy Dimos speaking to a meeting of the Associated General Contractors about the vote on the bill; State Representative John Travis questioning State Representative Ron Gomez about the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s (LABI) decision to support the bill; an interview with Governor Buddy Roemer following the defeat of the bill by seven votes; and highlights of the House floor debate on the amended version of the bill, including State Representatives Charles R. Jones, Peppi Bruneau, and Avery Alexander. Next, Lormand reports on Governor Roemer’s Address to the People on the tax plan and the responses by State Senator William Jefferson and State Representative John Alario. Lormand then follows State Representative Ron Gomez, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and a Roemer floor leader, on the day before the vote on the sales tax bill, including his meetings with other legislators, his lunch at the Governor’s Mansion, and his attendance at Governor Roemer’s bill signing for a new products liability law. Next, Sockman recaps the week’s other activity, including the lack of progress on the state budget and capital outlay bill and highlights of Secretary Neil Wagoner of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development speaking to the Baton Rouge Press Club. Lormand then reports on the Louisiana Supreme Court hearing an appeal on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the creation of the Louisiana Recovery District. Next, Sockman reports on the House Criminal Justice Committee defeating several bills creating a statewide lottery. His report includes testimony by: Tom Casey, Roemer’s executive counsel; State Representative Diana Bajoie; and Dr. Lynn Clayton, a representative for state religious leaders. Lastly, Lormand reports on the Ethics Commission hearing for Harry Hollins, the chairman of the state racing commission.