Legislative Report – May 10, 1985
Louisiana: The State We're In

Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Newsmagazine
Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 1985-05-10
Duration: 00:26:37
Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1985 | STATE BUDGET | Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, Inc.
Contributors:
- Johnson, Ken Host
- Myers, Laura Reporter
- Thompson, Francis Interviewee
- Odom, Bob Interviewee
- Forster, Garey Interviewee
- Sheridan, Buster Interviewee
- Baker, Richard Speaker
- Dewitt, Charles Speaker
- Kennard, Donald Speaker
- Baker, Richard Interviewee
- Dewitt, Charles Interviewee
- Ryan, Earl Interviewee
Description
This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from May 10, 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 State Representative Francis Thompson on his package of bills related to pesticides; an interview with Agriculture Commissioner Bob Odom on a bill establishing the Louisiana Crawfish Marketing Authority; an interview with State Representative Garey Forster on his bill closing a loophole that allows dead people to receive welfare checks; and an interview with State Representative Buster Sheridan on his bill related to the state’s retirement systems. Next, Laura Myers reports on the list of $101 million in state budget cut recommendations made by a coalition of House Democrats. Her report includes highlights from their press conference, including comments by State Representatives Richard Baker, Charles Dewitt, and Donald Kennard. Lastly, Johnson conducts an in-studio interview with Earl Ryan, the new president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR). He discusses: the philosophy of cutting the budget instead of raising taxes; avoiding across-the-board cuts; diversifying the economy; strengthening local governments; the economic outlook for the state; and the importance of improving public education.