Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1993-03-26

Duration: 00:57:16

Subjects: STATE BUDGET

Contributors:

• Duhe, Jeff Host
• Drennen, Mark Panelist
• Logan, Rae Panelist
• Ewing, Randy Panelist
• Day, Linda Panelist
• Rombach, John Interviewee
• Bruneau, Peppi Speaker
• Schwegmann, Melinda Speaker
• Fowler, Jerry Interviewee
• Keller, Paul Interviewee
• Cleland, Chris Interviewee
• Dardenne, Jay Speaker
• Campbell, Foster Interviewee
• Borne, Dan Interviewee
• Rainey, Bill Interviewee
• Porter, Jim Interviewee
• Rayburn, B.B. "Sixty" Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from March 26, 1993, features Jeff Duhe moderating a panel discussion on the state’s long-range fiscal problems. In between the discussion, he presents four reports on the state budget, including: the Legislative Fiscal Office’s list of recommended budget cuts; the cuts to higher education; the proposed tax on oil and gas companies; and the state’s addiction to debt. The panelists are: Mark Drennen of the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR); Rae Logan, state bond commissioner; State Senator Randy Ewing; and Linda Day of the Louisiana Association of Educators. They discuss: the difficulty in making budget cuts; the importance of getting state spending under control; cuts to higher education; the proposed tax on oil and gas companies; how far bold ideas go in the Legislature; the state’s approach to debt management; and the efforts to protect the state’s vital services.