Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1989-07-07

Duration: 00:27:28

Subjects: SPECIAL SESSIONS | STATE BUDGET | SALES TAX | Lotteries | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1989 | Politics | Government

Contributors:

• Zewe, Charles Host
• Nachman, Karen Reporter
• Reilly, Sean Interviewee
• Bares, Allen Interviewee
• Narcisse, Lawrence Interviewee
• Holden, Kip Interviewee
• Nunez, Sammy Interviewee
• Gomez, Ron Interviewee
• Clayton, Lynn Speaker
• Hollis, Ken Speaker
• Juneau, Dan Interviewee
• Roemer, Buddy Interviewee
• Rombach, John Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from July 7, 1989, features Charles Zewe and Karen Nachman reporting on the conclusion of the 1989 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature and the start of the six-day special session. Zewe first reports on the passage of the compromise state budget before the end of the regular legislative session. He interviews State Representative Sean Reilly and Senate President Allen Bares. Next, Nachman reports on the sales tax exemption compromise, the extension of the suspension of the three cent sales tax exemption on food, drugs, and utilities for six months followed by a drop to two cents. Zewe then reports on the passage of pay raises for state employees and teachers, including an interview with Lawrence Narcisse of the Louisiana Association of Educators. Next, Nachman reports on the issues under consideration at the special session, including the creation of a statewide lottery and changes to the natural gas tax. Her report includes highlights of Lynn Clayton, the editor of the Baptist Messenger, and State Senator Ken Hollis testifying on Hollis’ bill creating a statewide lottery. She also interviews: State Representative Kip Holden; State Senator Sammy Nunez; State Representative Ron Gomez; Dan Juneau, president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI); and Governor Buddy Roemer. Nachman then compares the state budget passed during the regular session to the original budget with $702 million in cuts proposed by Governor Roemer back in May. Lastly, Zewe conducts an in-studio interview with John Rombach, the legislative fiscal officer. He discusses the status of the state budget.