Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1985-04-22

Duration: 00:27:08

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1985 | STATE BUDGET | Air quality

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Pliner, Emogene Interviewee
• Forster, Garey Interviewee
• Gasperecz, Greg Interviewee
• Scogin, Ed Speaker
• Perlman, Ralph Interviewee
• Dastugue, Quentin Interviewee
• Jackson, Alphonse Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from April 22, 1985, features Ken Johnson hosting a daily legislative report on the 1985 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Johnson first reports on the day’s headlines. These stories include: an interview with Emogene Pliner, the vice president of the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR), on the need for selective budget cuts and the funding for Governor Edwin Edwards’ education reform package; an interview with State Representative Garey Forster on his bill capping the number of state employees; and an interview with Greg Gasperecz of the Office of Air Quality on the defeat of a plan requiring the testing of cars and trucks for air emissions. Next, Laura Myers reports on the meeting of the House Appropriations Committee, including their approval of a supplemental appropriations bill and their rejection of $400,000 to pay for special 5% raises for the St. John the Baptist Parish teachers and school employees. Her report includes State Representative Ed Scogin discussing the reasons for his opposition to the $400,000 expenditure and Ralph Perlman, the executive budget officer, testifying on his projections for the state budget deficit. It also includes Myers’ interview with Perlman, who discusses the state’s obligation to pay a $13.8 million debt related to the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans. Lastly, Johnson conducts an in-studio interview with State Representative Quentin Dastugue and State Representative Alphonse Jackson. They discuss: their position on cutting the number of state employees; the possible elimination of state services; their stance on privatizing the Charity Hospital System; and the possibility of raising taxes.