Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1991-05-24

Duration: 00:26:21

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1991 | Gun Control | Insurance Industry | Gambling

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Triche, Risley "Pappy" Speaker
• Guste, William Speaker
• Duke, David Speaker
• Blouin, Stan Interviewee
• Stewart, Mike Interviewee
• Johnson, Jon Speaker
• Barthelemy, Sidney Interviewee
• Bagert, Ben Speaker
• Heitmeier, Francis Interviewee
• Czernik, David Interviewee
• Talbot, Doug Interviewee
• Scogin, Edward Speaker
• Smith, Jim, Jr. Speaker
• de Brueys, Warren Speaker
• Ackal, Bo Speaker
• Ward, Ken Interviewee
• Harmon, B.B. Interviewee
• Picard, Cecil Speaker
• Copelin, Sherman Interviewee
• Bruneau, Peppi Interviewee
• Lalonde, Raymond Interviewee
• Cross, Mike Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 24, 1991, features Robert Collins, Karen Nachman, and Jeff Duhe reporting on the sixth week of the 1991 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Collins first reports on the week’s headlines. These stories include: former Insurance Commissioner Doug Green pleading guilty to bribery charges; interviews with Risley “Pappy” Triche, Green’s attorney, and Louisiana Attorney General William Guste on Green’s decision; Public Service Commissioner Louis Lambert dropping out of the 1991 gubernatorial election; and highlights of State Representative David Duke testifying in committee on his welfare reform bill. Duhe then reports on the Senate defeating a bill requiring a seven-day waiting period and background check in order to purchase a handgun. His report includes: interviews with Stan Blouin, a sports shop owner in Brusly, and Mike Stewart, a gun customer; State Senator Jon Johnson presenting his bill on the Senate floor; an interview with New Orleans Mayor Sidney Barthelemy; and State Senator Ben Bagert debating an amendment to the bill. Next, Nachman leads a panel discussion on Louisiana’s insurance industry with State Representative Francis Heitmeier, David Czernik of the Louisiana Consumers League, and Doug Talbot of the Consumers Coalition for Reasonable Insurance. Duhe then reports on a bill legalizing riverboat gambling. His report includes: an interview with State Representative Francis Heitmeier, the bill’s sponsor; State Representative Edward Scogin questioning Jim Smith, Jr. of the River Development Commission; testimony by Warren deBrueys of the New Orleans Crime Commission; State Representative Bo Ackal discussing his opposition to the bill; and interviews with Ken Ward of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation and Madison Parish Sheriff B.B. Harmon. Lastly, Nachman reports on the session’s other headlines, including: State Senator Cecil Picard debating a bill suspending the teacher evaluation program for one year; an interview with State Representative Sherman Copelin on his bill legalizing casino gambling in New Orleans; an interview with State Representative Peppi Bruneau on a bill regulating video poker machines; an interview with State Representative Raymond Lalonde on the bills appropriating the proceeds from the state lottery; and an interview with State Senator Mike Cross on the status of the two abortion bills.