Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1990-06-01

Duration: 00:25:20

Subjects: Property Tax | Louisiana. Department of Environmental Quality | Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1990 | Affirmative Action | Lotteries | HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Cain, James David Interviewee
• Miller, Ralph Speaker
• Bella, V.J. Speaker
• Dastugue, Quentin Speaker
• Ackal, Bo Interviewee
• Jones, Charles D. Speaker
• Duke, David Speaker
• Copelin, Sherman Interviewee
• Roemer, Buddy Interviewee
• Holden, Kip Speaker
• Tauzin, Billy Interviewee
• Chehardy, Lawrence Interviewee
• Drennen, Mark Interviewee
• Stelly, Victor Interviewee
• Lauricella, Hank Speaker
• Saunders, John Speaker
• Green, Doug Speaker
• Bankston, Larry Interviewee
• Templet, Paul Interviewee
• McDaniel, Mike Interviewee
• Orr, Mary Lee Interviewee
• Borne, Dan Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from June 1, 1990, features Robert Collins, Karen Nachman, and Jeff Duhe reporting on the seventh week of the 1990 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Collins first reports on the week’s headlines, including an interview with State Representative James David Cain on his bill related to flag burning. Next, Nachman reports on the racial tensions in the House following the passage of State Representative David Duke’s bill ending affirmative action. Nachman reports that supporters of a lottery bill voted in favor of Duke’s bill after several members of the Legislative Black Caucus abstained from voting in favor of the lottery bill. Her report includes: highlights of State Representatives Ralph Miller, V.J. Bella, and Quentin Dastugue debating the lottery bill; an interview with State Representative Bo Ackal; State Representative Charles D. Jones speaking at a press conference held by the Legislative Black Caucus; highlights of State Representative David Duke’s press conference; an interview with State Representative Sherman Copelin; an interview with Governor Buddy Roemer on his plan to veto Duke’s bill; Duke’s response to Roemer; State Representative Kip Holden speaking on the House floor; and an interview with Congressman Billy Tauzin on the divisions at the state capitol. Duhe then reports on bills aimed at lowering the homestead exemption. He interviews: Jefferson Parish Assessor Lawrence Chehardy; Mark Drennen, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR); and State Representative Victor Stelly. Next, Nachman reports on the other legislative news, including: State Representative Hank Lauricella testifying on an anti-drug bill; State Senator John Saunders questioning Insurance Commissioner Doug Green during his testimony on a bill making the insurance commissioner an appointive position; and an interview with State Senator Larry Bankston on a bill creating a rainy-day trust fund. Lastly, Duhe reports on the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) low ranking on the state budget priority list. He interviews: DEQ Secretary Paul Templet; Mike McDaniel, assistant secretary for air quality; Mary Lee Orr of the Louisiana Environmental Action Network; and Dan Borne of the Louisiana Chemical Association.