Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2016-07-13

Duration: 00:58:05

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 2016 | STATE BUDGET | Taxes | TOPS PROGRAM | Taylor Opportunity Program for Students | HIGHER EDUCATION | Louisiana New Opportunities Waiver Program | Education

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Scott, Robert Travis Host
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Spires, Kelly Producer
• Dardenne, Jay Interviewee
• Abramson, Neil Interviewee
• Devillier, Phillip Speaker
• Waguespack, Stephen Speaker
• Stokes, Julie Speaker
• Alario, John Interviewee
• Slocum, Jenee Speaker
• Campbell, J.H., Jr. Speaker
• Cage, Edgar Speaker
• Babb, Nathan Speaker
• Williams, Leah Speaker
• DiCharia, Justin Speaker
• Allen, Rebekah Speaker
• Richard, Scott Speaker
• Scallan, Karen Speaker
• Hanley, Dianne Speaker
• Carnes, David L. Speaker
• Bell, Frederick D'Wayne Speaker
• Spaulding, Monique Scott Speaker
• Sarver, Austin Speaker
• Duncan, Johnell Speaker
• Ferachi, Kelli Speaker
• Collins, Taylor Speaker
• LaFleur, Eric Panelist
• Deslatte, Melinda Panelist
• Richardson, Jim Panelist
• White, Malinda Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from July 13, 2016, features Robert Travis Scott leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on the state budget battle in the Louisiana Legislature during their three recent sessions, which ran from February 14th through June 23rd. A background report on the topic, including an interview with Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne, precedes the discussion. The audience members discuss: the short-term state budget solutions, including the increase to the sales tax; the cuts to the TOPS program; basic services fighting for funding; and the funding for NOW waivers. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: State Senator Eric LaFleur, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee; Melinda Deslatte, a capitol correspondent with the Associated Press; Dr. Jim Richardson, an economist and chairman of the Louisiana Revenue Estimating Conference; and State Representative Malinda White. They discuss: whether the state is still in a fiscal crisis; personal tax deductions; the future of the TOPS program; the perceived anti-business sentiment in the Legislature; the possibility of significant tax reform during the 2017 Regular Session; the cap on the film industry tax credit; the long-term financial health of the state; stabilizing the funding for disability services, including NOW waivers; how the Legislature prioritizes spending; the cuts to K-12 education; and whether people should feel optimistic about stabilizing the budget. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Robert Travis Scott