Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1986-04-30

Duration: 00:27:20

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1986 | BLUE LAWS | DRINKING AGE | Elections | TRIALS | Edwards, Edwin W.

Contributors:

• Johnson, Ken Host
• Myers, Laura Reporter
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Gomez, Ron Interviewee
• Linscombe, Greg Interviewee
• Crane, Carl Interviewee
• Casey, Tom Speaker
• Nicholson, Elwyn Speaker
• Ward, Ken Speaker
• Walbrette, Henri Speaker
• Spradley, Tom Speaker
• Rose, Jo Interviewee
• Mapes, Bud Interviewee
• Porter, Joann Speaker
• Engelbracht, Kellye Speaker
• Neeson, Richard Interviewee
• Landrieu, Mary Speaker
• Bruneau, Peppi Interviewee
• Fowler, Jerry Interviewee
• Volz, John Speaker
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from April 30, 1986, features Ken Johnson hosting a daily legislative report on the 1986 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Johnson first reports on the day’s headlines. These stories include: an interview with State Representative Ron Gomez on a bill allowing the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism to submit their master plan every three years instead of every year; an interview with Greg Linscombe of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) on a bill creating a marketing fund for the state’s trapping and fur industry; and an interview with State Representative Carl Crane on managing redfish. Next, Laura Myers reports on the Senate Commerce Committee approving a bill allowing local governments to hold elections on repealing the state’s Sunday closing laws, or blue laws. Her report includes: State Senator Tom Casey speaking in favor of the bill; testimony by State Senator Elwyn Nicholson, Ken Ward of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation, and lobbyists Henri Walbrette and Tom Spradley; and interviews with lobbyists Jo Rose and Bud Mapes. Karen Nachman then reports on the Senate Transportation Committee hearing on a bill raising the minimum legal drinking age from 18 to 21. Her report includes testimony by Joann Porter of Mothers against Drunk Driving and LSU student Kellye Engelbracht, as well as an interview with State Senator Richard Neeson, the bill’s sponsor. Next, Laura Myers reports on the election reform bills under consideration in the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, including a bill limiting campaign contributions. Her report includes State Representative Mary Landrieu discussing her proposed amendment to the bill and an interview with State Representative Peppi Bruneau. Johnson then conducts an in-studio interview with Louisiana Commissioner of Elections Jerry Fowler. He discusses: the possibility of moving Louisiana’s presidential primary to Super Tuesday; a bill that changes the start of polling hours from 6AM to 7AM; whether Louisiana holds too many elections; and the recent increase in voter registration. Lastly, Myers reports on the latest news from the sixth week of the retrial of Governor Edwards and four other defendants in New Orleans on fraud and racketeering charges related to the permitting process for building new hospitals and nursing homes. Her report focuses on the prosecution resting its case and includes highlights of the press conferences on the courthouse steps with Governor Edwin Edwards and United States Attorney John Volz.