Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1990-06-15

Duration: 00:26:40

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1990 | Abortion | Lotteries | State employee pay raises | OIL SPILLS

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Jenkins, Woody Speaker
• Dixon, Irma Speaker
• Roemer, Buddy Interviewee
• Cain, James David Speaker
• Hollis, Ken Speaker
• Lalonde, Raymond Speaker
• Bankston, Larry Speaker
• Bares, Allen Speaker
• Jefferson, William Speaker
• Laborde, Raymond Interviewee
• Thompson, Steve Interviewee
• Alario, John Interviewee
• Stine, Dennis Interviewee
• Bella, V.J. Interviewee
• Laborde, Raymond Speaker
• Rayburn, B.B. "Sixty" Interviewee
• Webb, Garland Interviewee
• Sumrall, Herbert Interviewee
• Thompson, Francis Speaker
• Jetson, Raymond Speaker
• Galatas, Marie Interviewee
• Campbell, Foster Speaker
• Haik, Ted Interviewee
• Groat, Chip Interviewee
• Hanifen, Jim Interviewee
• Van Sickle, Virginia Interviewee
• Wall, Larry Interviewee
• Templet, Paul Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from June 15, 1990, features Robert Collins, Karen Nachman, and Jeff Duhe reporting on the ninth week of the 1990 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Collins first reports on the week’s headlines, including: the House passing the most restrictive anti-abortion bill in the country; highlights of State Representatives Woody Jenkins and Irma Davis debating the bill; an interview with Governor Buddy Roemer on the bill; and State Representative James David Cain testifying on his bill related to flag burning. Next, Nachman reports on the House and the Senate passing separate bills creating a statewide lottery. Her report also touches on the House passing a renewal of the two-cent sales tax and the Senate passing a bill related to riverboat gambling. Her report includes highlights of the debate on both the Senate and House floors, including: State Senator Ken Hollis; State Representative Raymond Lalonde; State Senator Larry Bankston; State Senator Allen Bares; State Senator William Jefferson; and State Representative Raymond Laborde. She also interviews: State Representative Raymond Laborde; State Senator Steve Thompson; State Representative John Alario; Commissioner of Administration Dennis Stine; State Representative V.J. Bella; State Senator B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn; and Governor Roemer. Duhe then reports on the proposed 2% pay raise for state employees, which would be their first pay raise in nine years. He interviews Garland Webb of AFSCME and Herbert Sumrall, the director of State Civil Service. His report also includes highlights of State Representative Francis Thompson questioning State Representative Raymond Jetson on his bill requiring the state to pay interest to state employees for delayed raises. Nachman then reports on other legislative news, including: an interview with State Representative Raymond Laborde on a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced state budget; an interview with Reverend Marie Galatas of the Grass Roots Organization for Women on her support for a bill changing voter registration requirements; and State Senator Foster Campbell discussing a bill declaring a 180-mile section of Interstate 49 (I-49) as a scenic parkway. Duhe then reports on a bill creating a commission to develop an oil spill response plan for the state. He interviews: State Representative Ted Haik, the bill’s sponsor; Chip Groat of the Louisiana Geological Survey; Jim Hanifen, a wildlife and fisheries investigator; Secretary Virginia Van Sickle of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF); Larry Wall of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association; and Secretary Paul Templet of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Lastly, Collins reports on the first inductees into the Black History Hall of Fame in Baton Rouge.