Collection:LPB

Genre: News, Public Affairs

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1984-04-06

Duration: 00:06:44

Subjects: STATE BUDGET | Louisiana. Legislature | Taxes | Lotteries | HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Laborde, Raymond Interviewee
• Johnson, Jon Interviewee
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Lancaster, Charles Speaker
• Keller, Ty Interviewee
• Swearingen, Lawson Interviewee

This segment from the April 6, 1984, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Ken Johnson’s report on the ongoing debate in the Louisiana Legislature over how to handle the state’s remaining budget deficit. Johnson reports that the Legislature raised $734 million in new taxes during a Special Session in March, but is still $14 million short of a stand still budget. This report includes: an interview with State Representative Raymond Laborde on the possibility of creating a state lottery; an interview with State Representative Jon Johnson on the need to reduce the cost of state government and examine the current tax system; Governor Edwin Edwards speaking to a group of conservative legislators in favor of cutting spending before raising new taxes; State Representative Charles Lancaster questioning the timeline of the current budget process; an interview with Ty Lancaster, a researcher with the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR), on PAR’s recommendation of repealing the homestead exemption; and an interview with State Senator Lawson Swearingen on his reaction to PAR’s recommendation.