Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-01-31

Duration: 00:21:36

Subjects: Gambling | Economy | STATE BUDGET | Lotteries

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Bankston, William Interviewee
• Scott, Loren Interviewee
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Reilly, Kevin Interviewee
• Jackson, Alphonse Interviewee
• Swearingen, Lawson Interviewee
• Alexander, Avery Interviewee
• Ward, Ken Interviewee
• Swaggart, Jimmy Interviewee
• Williams, Rockie Interviewee
• Russell, Roy Interviewee
• DeBrueys, Warren Speaker
• James, Ben Interviewee
• Cross, Mike Interviewee
• Rayburn, B.B. "Sixty" Interviewee
• Dewitt, Charles Interviewee
• Fernandez, Manny Interviewee
• Baker, Richard Interviewee
• Hudson, Tommy Interviewee

This segment from the January 31, 1986, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features a special report on Governor Edwards calling for a public referendum legalizing casino gambling in New Orleans and a state lottery. First, Ken Johnson reports on the history and possible economic impact of gambling. He interviews Dr. William Bankston, a sociology professor, and Dr. Loren Scott, an economics professor. Next, Laura Myers reports on the political ramifications of legalizing gambling. She interviews: State Representative Kevin Reilly; State Representative Alphonse Jackson; State Representative Lawson Swearingen; State Representative Avery Alexander; Ken Ward, lobbyist; Reverend Jimmy Swaggart, televangelist; Rockie Williams, farmer; Roy Russell, farmer; and Warren DeBrueys of the Metropolitan Crime Commission. Next, Karen Nachman reports on the state’s projected budget deficit due to falling oil prices. She interviews: Ben James of the Economic Development Task Force; State Senator Mike Cross; State Senator B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn; State Representative Charlie Dewitt; and State Representative Manny Fernandez. Lastly, Johnson conducts an in-studio interview with State Representative Richard Baker and State Senator Tommy Hudson. They discuss their opposition to the gambling proposal and the projected state budget deficit.