Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1985-06-13

Duration: 00:26:38

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1985 | Prevailing wage | Edwards, Edwin W. | OIL INDUSTRY | GAS INDUSTRY | STATE BUDGET

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Bares, Allen Speaker
• Rayburn, B.B. "Sixty" Speaker
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Smith, Charles Interviewee
• Laborde, Raymond Interviewee
• Johnson, Jon Speaker
• Forster, Garey Interviewee
• Landrieu, Mary Interviewee
• Swearingen, Lawson Interviewee
• Jones, Charles D. Speaker
• Adams, Pete Speaker
• Jackson, Johnny Speaker
• Robinson, Sandra Interviewee
• Jumonville, J.E. Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from June 13, 1985, features Ken Johnson hosting a daily legislative report on the 1985 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Johnson first reports on the Senate floor debate on a bill repealing the prevailing wage law, including speeches by State Senators Allen Bares and B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn. Next, Laura Myers reports on Governor Edwin Edwards’ press conference, where he discusses: his view on the repeal of the prevailing wage law; his trial being moved back to September; his decision not to call a special session until after his trial; and the state budget. Her report also includes interviews with Charles Smith, contractors’ lobbyist, and State Representative Raymond Laborde. Johnson then reports on the day’s other headlines. These stories include: State Representative Jon Johnson testifying on his bill raising the legal drinking age to 21 due to a federal mandate on highway funds; an interview with State Representative Garey Forster on his bill taking away the Governor’s power to appoint three members to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE); an interview with State Representative Mary Landrieu on her bill creating the crime of battery against a teacher; an interview with State Senator Lawson Swearingen on his bill removing public officials from office if they are convicted of a felony; State Representative Charles D. Jones and Pete Adams of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association testifying on Jones’ bill allowing people testifying before a grand jury to be accompanied by counsel; an interview with State Representative Johnny Jackson on his bill requiring district attorney’s offices to release files related to felony cases that are dismissed without going to trial; and an interview with Dr. Sandra Robinson, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Resources, on the potential budget cuts to her department. Lastly, Johnson conducts an in-studio interview with State Senator J.E. Jumonville. He discusses: the defeat of his bill related to take-or-pay gas contracts; the status of the oil and gas industries in Louisiana; the proposed settlement of the 8g offshore oil and gas royalties; and oil prices.