Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1989-03-10

Duration: 00:23:51

Subjects: Roemer, Buddy | Tax reform | Elections, 1989 | STATE BUDGET

Contributors:

• Lormand, Ken Host
• Sockman, Roger Reporter
• Roemer, Buddy Speaker
• Garrity, Robert Interviewee
• Dastugue, Quentin Interviewee
• Courtney, Bob Interviewee
• Maginnis, John Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from March 10, 1989, features Ken Lormand and Roger Sockman reporting on the passage of Governor Buddy Roemer’s tax reform plan at the final week of the Special Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Sockman first reports on the provisions of Governor Roemer’s tax reform plan and the upcoming April 29th election for Louisianans to vote on the plan. His report includes highlights of a speech by Governor Roemer and interviews with State Representatives Robert Garrity and Quentin Dastugue. Next, Lormand reports on how the tax reform plan will impact the taxes paid by individuals in Louisiana. Lastly, Lormand conducts an in-studio interview with Bob Courtney of WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge and John Maginnis, the publisher of Gris Gris. They discuss: whether Roemer’s plan is fiscal reform or a tax increase; whether the plan is revenue neutral; Roemer’s plan to sell the package to voters; the election as a referendum on Roemer; the organized opposition to the plan, including State Representative David Duke; what happens to the state budget if the tax reform package does not pass; and the chances that the plan will pass.