Collection:LPB

Genre: News, Public Affairs, Panel

Place Covered: Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2009-06-26

Duration: 00:18:49

Subjects: Erwin, Barry | COUNCIL FOR A BETTER LOUISIANA | Filmed panel discussions | Louisiana Legislative Session, 2009 | Louisiana. Legislature | State legislators | Politics | STATE BUDGET | State Budget Cuts | Taxes | INCOME TAX | Tax deductions | Dedicated funds -- Louisiana | HIGHER EDUCATION | Health Care | RAINY DAY FUND | Louisiana Commission on Streamlining Government | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | Mega-Project Development Fund

Contributors:

• Sanford, Shauna Host
• Erwin, Barry Host
• Kostelka, Bob Panelist
• Katz, Kay Panelist
• Gallot, Rick Panelist
• Jackson, Lydia Panelist
• Downs, Hollis Panelist
• Smith, Jane Panelist
• Jones, Rosalind Panelist

This segment from the June 26, 2009, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Shauna Sanford and Barry Erwin of the Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) leading a round table discussion with state legislators from the Shreveport and Monroe areas about the recently completed 2009 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. The panelists are State Senator Bob Kostelka, State Representative Kay Kellogg Katz, State Representative Rick Gallot, State Senator Lydia Jackson, State Representative Hollis Downs, State Representative Jane Smith, and State Representative Rosalind Jones. They discuss: the challenges faced during this legislative session, including contention between the House and Senate, political maneuverings from the leadership, and the lack of relationship-building between the members; legislation dealing with the state budget and the $1.3 billion shortfall, including Senator Jackson’s failed bill delaying personal income itemized tax deductions for three years, the need to cut into the dedicated funds in order to avoid cuts in higher education and health care, the use of the “Rainy Day Fund,” and the establishment of a Streamlining Commission for next year; and issues of local importance in their districts, including the economic development opportunities in Northeast Louisiana because of their use of the Mega-Project Development Fund.