Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1990-04-20

Duration: 00:26:49

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1990 | Roemer, Buddy | STATE BUDGET | Abortion | Louisiana's Old State Capitol (Baton Rouge, La.)

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Guste, William Speaker
• Roemer, Buddy Speaker
• Johnson, Jon Interviewee
• Long, Jimmy Interviewee
• Swearingen, Lawson Interviewee
• Jetson, Raymond Interviewee
• Cain, James David Interviewee
• Ackal, Bo Interviewee
• McPherson, Joe Interviewee
• McLeod, William Interviewee
• Campbell, Foster Interviewee
• McDade, Sandy Interviewee
• Jenkins, Woody Interviewee
• Cross, Mike Interviewee
• Dimos, Jimmy Interviewee
• Toth, Emily Interviewee
• Ashby, Sandy Interviewee
• Morgan, Cecil Interviewee
• Riley, Robert Interviewee
• Carleton, Mark Interviewee
• Rosenthal, Elise Interviewee
• McCall, Robert "Sonny" Interviewee
• Bares, Allen Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from April 20, 1990, features Robert Collins, Karen Nachman, and Jeff Duhe reporting on the first week of the 1990 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Collins first reports on the week’s headlines, including the Governor’s $15 million proposal to put computers in all elementary schools by the fall and Attorney General William Guste discussing his plans to appeal the college desegregation case based on the state’s open admissions policy. Next, Nachman reports on Governor Buddy Roemer’s opening address, which took place at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge for the first time since 1932. Her report includes highlights of Roemer’s speech, as well as a later press conference where he discussed his priorities for the session. She also interviews several legislators, who discuss their reactions to the speech, including: State Senator Jon Johnson; State Representative Jimmy Long; State Senator Lawson Swearingen; State Representative Raymond Jetson; State Representative James David Cain; State Representative Bo Ackal; State Senator Joe McPherson; State Senator William McLeod; and State Senator Foster Campbell. Duhe then reports on the proposed bills aimed at restricting abortion. His report includes highlights of an anti-abortion rally on the steps of the State Capitol. He also interviews: Sandy McDade of the Louisiana Eagle Forum; State Representative Woody Jenkins; State Senator Mike Cross; Speaker of the House Jimmy Dimos; Governor Roemer; Emily Toth, LSU professor and NOW member; and Sandy Ashby, the president of the Baton Rouge League of Women Voters. Lastly, Nachman reports on the history of the Old State Capitol. She interviews: Cecil Morgan, a former state legislator who served in the Old State Capitol; Robert Riley, the curator; Dr. Mark Carleton, LSU history professor; Elise Rosenthal of the Louisiana Museum System; Robert “Sonny” McCall, a former page to Lieutenant Governor Cyr; and Senate President Allen Bares.