Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

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

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1992-04-24

Duration: 00:25:40

Subjects: Politics | Government | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1992 | Local governments

Contributors:

• Collins, Robert Host
• Duhe, Jeff Reporter
• Laborde, Raymond Speaker
• Landrieu, Mitch Speaker
• Rombach, John Interviewee
• Reilly, Kevin Speaker
• Brun, Roy Speaker
• Reilly, Sean Interviewee
• Roy, Barbara Interviewee
• LeBlanc, Jerry Luke Speaker
• Bruneau, Peppi Speaker
• Flournoy, Melissa Interviewee
• Jetson, Raymond Interviewee
• Roach, Randy Interviewee
• Ellington, Noble Interviewee
• McMains, Chuck Speaker
• Pratt, Renee Speaker
• Sitting, C. Dale Speaker
• Odom, Bob Speaker
• Autin, Jervis Interviewee
• Robicheaux, Al Interviewee
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Pasqua, Charles Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from April 24, 1992, features Robert Collins and Jeff Duhe reporting on the fourth week of the 1992 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Collins first reports on the week’s headlines, including Jefferson Parish Assessor Lawrence Chehardy testifying against the proposed constitutional convention on tax reform. Next, Duhe reports on the other action at the session, including: Commissioner of Administration Raymond Laborde testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee; State Representative Mitch Landrieu questioning Laborde on the suspension of tax exemptions; an interview with John Rombach of the Legislative Fiscal Office; State Representative Roy Brun questioning Secretary Kevin Reilly of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED) on a bill streamlining the loan guarantee program for minority and women owned businesses; an interview with State Representative Sean Reilly on a bill creating the Natural Gas Marketing Board; an interview with Barbara Roy of the Lafayette Hilton on her concerns about the cap on tourism funding in the state budget; State Representatives Jerry Luke LeBlanc and Peppi Bruneau discussing the lobbyist disclosure bill; an interview with State Representative Melissa Flournoy on her bill related to divorce settlements; an interview with State Representative Raymond Jetson on a bill changing the specifications for how long roads will last; an interview with State Representative Randy Roach on a bill asking LED to focus on coastal areas; an interview with State Representative Noble Ellington on his bill requiring drivers to turn on their headlights when it rains; and State Representatives Chuck McMains and C. Dale Sittig questioning State Representative Renee Pratt on her bill providing more sick leave for school employees. Collins then presents highlights from a press conference with Commissioner Bob Odom of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry discussing his decision to furlough employees for five weeks. Next, Duhe reports on a meeting between state officials and mayors from around the state in Baton Rouge. It includes highlights of the comments by Commissioner of Administration Raymond Laborde and Governor Edwin Edwards. He also interviews Golden Meadow Mayor Jervis Autin and Lockport Mayor Al Robicheaux. Lastly, Collins conducts an in-studio interview with Charles Pasqua, the executive director of the Louisiana Municipal Association. He discusses their concerns about the available state funding for local governments, their support for the proposed constitutional convention, and the limited success of local tax elections.