Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1987-07-10

Duration: 00:12:46

Subjects: Politics | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1987 | SPECIAL SESSIONS | Government | UNEMPLOYMENT | STATE BUDGET

Contributors:

• Hinton, Rob Host
• Roedts, Lynda Reporter
• Steimel, Ed Speaker
• Bussie, Victor Speaker
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Dastugue, Quentin Speaker
• LeBlanc, Bob Interviewee
• Daigre, Gerry Interviewee
• Cohoon, Derrell Speaker
• Purdy, Tom Speaker
• Dimos, Jimmy Speaker

This segment from the July 10, 1987, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Lynda Roedts’ report on the Special Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Her report focuses on the compromise plan to deal with the $800 million debt in the unemployment compensation fund, including a wage tax on employers, a reduction in unemployment benefits, and the sale of a $1.4 billion bond. Her report includes: Ed Steimel of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and Victor Bussie of the Louisiana AFL-CIO testifying in committee; highlights from Governor Edwin Edwards’ opening address; State Representative Quentin Dastugue debating the plan on the House floor; interviews with Bob LeBlanc, the president of Bengal Chemical Company, and Gerry Daigre of Dow Chemical Company on the impact of the plan on their businesses; Derrell Cohoon of the Louisiana Association of General Contractors and Tom Purdy of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce testifying in committee; and State Representative Jimmy Dimos debating the bill on the House floor. Next, Rob Hinton presents highlights of Governor Edwin Edwards announcing his 5% cut to most state agencies and discussing the state’s cash flow problems.