Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2013-12-14

Duration: 00:59:46

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Politics | Government | History | Louisiana. Constitutional Convention (1973) | Louisiana. Constitution (1974) | Edwards, Edwin W. | Roemer, Buddy | Henry, E. L. "Bubba" | Jenkins, Woody | Alario, John A., Jr. | Dennis, James L. | JACKSON, JOHNNY | Zervigon, Mary | Civil Rights | HIGHER EDUCATION | STATE BUDGET | Balanced budget | Dedicated funds -- Louisiana | Constitutional amendments

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Moderator
• Edwards, Edwin Panelist
• Henry, Bubba Panelist
• Dennis, James Panelist
• Jackson, Johnny Panelist
• Roemer, Buddy Panelist
• Jenkins, Woody Panelist
• Alario, John Panelist
• Zervigon, Mary Panelist

A panel discussion from November 20, 2013, on the 40th Anniversary of the 1973 Louisiana Constitutional Convention. The discussion was moderated by Beth Courtney and featured a panel of leaders and delegates from the convention: former Governor Edwin Edwards; former Governor Buddy Roemer; former Speaker of the House E.L. “Bubba” Henry; former State Representative Woody Jenkins; Mary Zervigon of New Orleans; former State Representative Johnny Jackson, Jr.; Judge James Dennis of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals; and Senate President John Alario. They discussed: why the 1921 Constitution needed to be replaced; the election of delegates to the convention; why the new Constitution needed a Bill of Rights; the public hearings held around the state; how the convention functioned; the Civil Rights platform in the Bill of Rights serving as a model for other states; the battle over the governance of higher education; the importance of requiring a balanced budget; subsequent constitutional amendments; the environment of the convention; and the need for constitutional reforms.