Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1990-06-29

Duration: 00:27:01

Subjects: Taxes | Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1990 | Abortion

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Van Sickle, Virginia Interviewee
• Jenkins, Woody Speaker
• Rothrock, Robin Interviewee
• Fontenot, Sharon Speaker
• Cross, Mike Speaker
• Crain, William Speaker
• Johnson, Jon Speaker
• Bagert, Ben Speaker
• Windhorst, Fritz Speaker
• Bartlett, Terri Interviewee
• Roemer, Buddy Interviewee
• Glidden, Robertson Interviewee
• Adley, Robert Speaker
• Johnson, Jon Interviewee
• Tarver, Greg Interviewee
• Kelly, Don Speaker
• Bradley, Allen Interviewee
• Holden, Kip Interviewee
• Dewitt, Charlie Interviewee
• Roemer, Buddy Speaker
• Haik, Ted Interviewee
• Pedler, Shirley Interviewee
• Sheley, Joseph Interviewee
• Orr, Virgil Speaker
• Brinkhaus, Armand Speaker
• Bacque, Odon Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from June 29, 1990, features Robert Collins, Karen Nachman, and Jeff Duhe reporting on the eleventh week of the 1990 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Collins first reports on the week’s headlines, including: the indictment of Insurance Commissioner Doug Green in state court for allegedly accepting illegal campaign contributions; an interview with Secretary Virginia Van Sickle of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) on oil from the Mega Borg oil spill reaching southwest Louisiana beaches; and an increase in the state’s unemployment rate. Next, Duhe reports on the Senate passing the most restrictive anti-abortion bill in the country. His report includes: highlights of a pro-life rally on the steps of the state capitol; State Representative Woody Jenkins discussing the bill on the House floor; Sharon Fontenot of Louisiana Right to Life leading lobbying efforts; highlights of the Senate debate on the bill, including State Senators Mike Cross, William Crain, Jon Johnson, Ben Bagert, and Fritz Windhorst; an interview with Governor Buddy Roemer on his plan to veto the bill; Duhe’s tour the Delta Women’s Clinic; and State Representative Robert Adley debating the Senate amendments to the bill on the House floor. Duhe also interviews: Robin Rothrock of the League of Women Voters; Terri Bartlett of Louisiana Planned Parenthood; Dr. Robertson Glidden; and State Senator Jon Johnson. Nachman then reports on the legislative standoff on raising taxes to balance the state budget. Her report includes highlights of State Senator Don Kelly testifying in committee and a press conference with Governor Roemer. She also interviews: State Senator Greg Tarver; State Representative Allen Bradley; State Representative Kip Holden; and State Representative Charlie Dewitt. Next, Duhe reports on a bill requiring parental advisory labels on music records featuring obscene lyrics. He interviews: State Representative Ted Haik; Weird Wayne, disc jockey; Shirley Pedler of the ACLU; and Joseph Sheley, Tulane law professor. Lastly, Nachman reports on the other legislative news, including: State Representative Virgil Orr debating a bill consolidating the state’s higher education boards; State Senator Armand Brinkhaus speaking in favor of teacher pay raises; Governor Roemer’s reaction to the National Organization for Women (NOW) threatening to boycott Louisiana because of the passage of the abortion bill; and State Representative Odon Bacque presenting a bill criminalizing spousal rape.