Louisiana: The State We're In; 1037

the Funding for the production of Louisiana, the state we're in, is provided in part by the Ziggler Foundation of Jennings and Gulf State Utilities, helping Louisiana bridge the gap to our energy future. Tonight on Louisiana the state we're in, a look at the final week of the 1987 legislative session. Then we'll tell you about a group of marchers on their way to Baton Rouge to protest alleged racism in St. Landry Parish. I'm Robin Hinton, those stories and more straight ahead on Louisiana, the state we're in. Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of Louisiana, the state we're in.

Also on tonight's broadcast and look at some presidential politicking, but first Linda Rhodes is here with her final report of the 1987 legislative session, Linda. Well, Rob, before the session started, lawmakers said they expected few pieces of major legislation to come before an election. The big item they all agreed was to be the budget and it was. This was a session that generated little excitement, little legislation and some say little solutions to the state's budget problems. Before the legislature even left the state capital, they were talking about coming back and they didn't mean next April. Budget deficits from past years are creeping up on the state and lawmakers expect the budget office to tell them of more reading this year.

After elections, legislators are talking taxes and another special session. I do anticipate some type of revenue, raising measure after the first of the year and I think it's realistic to inform the citizens and be fair and above board about it. So how do we balance the budget? We change the price of oil and who's going to pay attention to us? Nobody and how we're going to pay for government. We're going to take out that credit card and we're going to go borrow against what's coming in next year and how you're going to pay for it next year. Tax tax tax tax tax tax tax. I think we've fumbled the ball on the budget and be real honest with you. I think that was an opportunity to do something where we could have straightened out some of the spending priorities in government and we just didn't do it. I think we've got a budget that's deficit written. I think it's signaling the call for the year to come to be one of a tax session.

As the budget came from the house, lawmakers were told it was out of balance $12 million, $92 million, or $196 million, they could take their pick. So the Senate chose the most conservative estimate and went on to raise the projected price for a barrel of oil, raising revenues for the state by another $16 million. Last year we were wrong, hopefully this year we'll be right, but based on the best information possible or prices should stabilize somewhere around $20 on far and all. That would mean domestic all losing out all a little bit better grade, maybe $20, $50 or $21 than the budget is in balance. I think in that heart, they know that the budget is in a deficit posture. I don't think anyone is convinced even the strongest and stonched supporters of the budget believe that the budget is or will be in balance at the end of this year. What they're trying to do is cover up the shortfall, cover up the bankruptcy until the

election is over and then come back in and try damage control so to speak. To say that, would say that I knowingly violated the Constitution when I voted for the budget and obviously would never do that so no, I don't believe that. The state is not going to be bankrupt. Every time I've been here since 16 years, I've heard the same thing over and over. We are definitely positively out of business, but I don't see anything closing. But for some, the budget process was a little more than a charade or a fairy tale. Once upon a time, snow white and the seven dwarfs wanted to go to Wonderland so they could see Alice. But on the way, they walked across a bridge that was full of potholes and you know what happened to them? They fell right through the bridge and the trolls underneath the bridge

ate them up. You know what happened then? Begin to wrap up Miss Bruno. The mad hatter held a tea party and told him that he had put Humpty Dumpty together again. Now that members of the house is a very grim fairy tale. Creative Raymond Labourd told lawmakers the Senate version of the budget is $360,000 in balance. It restores some of the cuts to the Department of Health and Human Resources, two hospitals and mental health. It does not provide $47.5 million in emergency money for highway repair. The federal government is insisting upon. Louisiana must make $325 million worth of road repairs over the next five years in order to keep millions of dollars in federal highway money. Well, I think we did very well overall. We solved a lot of the problems that the state was having. We've been able to fully fund the minimum foundation program.

We've funded education at a higher level than we've done in the past. But I don't want to get a politician's arm where I reach around and pack myself on the back. But I think some folks are willing to accept some of the boards by the grab a bull by the horn on occasion. But as I said, the overriding concern was self-survival by vast majority of my colleagues. I don't know if the budget's in balance. I think it is. But I think the programs that were funded, restoring the cuts to higher education, the minimum foundation program being fully funded, keeping the health care centers open, providing the needed services for the citizens of this state. I think we did a very good job. A session controlled by EWE, the Imperial Governor, for his own purposes, and he sought to it that no meaningful reform or change came through this session of the legislature. I would rate it very low.

The budget fully funds elementary and secondary education and brings the state's colleges and universities to 70 percent funding. Efforts during the session to fully fund higher ed were rebuffed. Fakers rejected most attempts as well to reform the educational hierarchy, legislation to put education under one authority was defeated at every turn. There was no reform for education at all. Education was funded, but funding alone is not enough. If our youngsters are going to be properly educated, schooling will have to be redesigned and re-engineered because what we are doing now, what schools are doing now, is not working. Until the dollar that leaves the state capital is close to being a dollar when it gets to the classroom, we can fund it fully or even add to it until we change the way that that dollar ends up in the local areas, then we really are not going to affect the change in education.

Our major concern coming into this session was full funding for the minimum foundation program, and the legislature should be complimented. They have kept their word to make sure that the minimum foundation program is fully funded. Unfortunately, in addition to that, not much else has happened. Teachers did not get the pay raises they sought because lawmakers would not support attacks to pay for it. Educators say teachers continue to leave the state for better jobs. In other changes, the state now has legislation that makes it a crime to knowingly expose someone to aides, and the state has authorized a study to determine whether prison inmates should be tested. We have passed numerous pieces of legislation dealing with the problem, most of them contrary to the wishes of the health officials in the state, and without any coordinating feature, there is no central location that will coordinate all the legislation that we have passed in dealing with the problem, and I think we are going to end up causing more harm than we will good for our good faith effort to deal with the problem. For environmentalists, the legislature passed a measure asking 10 other states to join an

ending pollution of the Mississippi River by 1998. For business, lobbyists say new legislation will cut medical costs for workers' compensation, and they say that legislation unfavorable to business was not passed, namely the self-insurance program proposed by the governor for workers' compensation. We made a move in the right direction. We didn't get far enough, so there are going to be a lot of people who will still choose Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, and Alabama over us for one reason, political costs are too great in this state. During the special session, lawmakers expect to work out a way to pay for the $800 million owed to the federal government for unemployment insurance. Other substantive legislation will change the state's liability laws for victims who sue for damages. The old deep pockets law allowed victims to sue one party for the entire amount, regardless of the responsibility if the other party went bankrupt. The new law limits liability to half the damages.

But some lawmakers say the most significant action this session was not any new legislation. They say it was a new attitude. The 50 votes against the budget the Senate returned to the House. Traditionally, the Senate has supported the governor's proposals, and some lawmakers interpret the House vote as a real desire for change, for reform in government. Those were 50 votes that the governor cannot control. When the governor cannot control the House and the Senate, he-ride government will end, and better days will be ahead for the state of Louisiana. It's the second best thing, voting against the budget, to doing something affirmatively about correcting the problem. And I think that's where the future of the legislature is going to have to go, doing something affirmatively about the problem rather than just simply registering a negative vote. It means your three votes away from not only being able to, before the only thing that we could do is stop maybe some bad taxes, but today, if we can get to those 53 votes,

we're in a position to begin to pass legislation. That's not a true indication of what's going on. When you cut the funding, you're going to cut the programs. State government is going to wind down some. And it's not because of any single group. I think it's a mood, a foot statewide. Once in the House, the Senate generally does support the governor and has the power to change or stop reform bills that come through. Lawmakers are waiting for elections, perhaps for a new governor, and a new legislature to tackle the real problem. Thank you, Linda. A big march protesting alleged racial discrimination began this week in Opeluses and is on its way to Baton Rouge, contributing reporter Sonia Massingale tells us all about it. And what they believe to be an event of historical importance, over 200 people from St. Landry Parish marched 60 miles from Opeluses to the State Capitol in Baton Rouge along Highway 190.

The march was staged to protest alleged racial discrimination by the St. Landry Parish School Board decision to locate two of three parish schools in predominantly white areas. Our major goals, basically, is the injustices that were done stemming from the March 19 decision in St. Landry Parish. It is of a parish-wide deal, and it's only that the board seat happens to be in Opeluses School Board of, but because of those decisions that came out March 19, we felt that those decisions did a great injustice to us as a black people. Because of the attitudes that went along with those decisions, really, we hope to call to the attention of the state of Louisiana the problems that exist in the state. Many people are not aware of the many problems that exist in the state, be it economic racism, be it just plain old racism, be it social racism, whatever the case may be.

We hope to generate support across the state of Louisiana that we can end the problems which started, I would say, back in 1980 with the election of President buses name. With temperatures peaking in the 90s and rain clouds threatening to drench them at any moment, the marchers of all ages made their way along the highway at a surprisingly rapid rate. How does it feel to be out there on the road? Great. It really does feel great. This is a historical event. It's for a single-handed parish as far as the state. And they know that we have a group of strong-willed people and the closer we get, the determination is stronger and the feelings are stronger and there's no letting go. Tiring but exciting, spiritually lifted, I was thinking this morning as I was marching that for me it's almost a powerful retreat because each day we start off with a press

service, then we have mass, daily, plus we have rallies at night with talks and an opportunity to fellowship with people so I think it's not as tiring as you would think, but it's just exciting to be part of history and making. That's the thing I feel is so exciting. I'd say uncomfortable thing has been the humidity, the humidity is rather high and that created a few problems, but we didn't encounter any dehydration from many of the marchers, but that was the major problem. What you see here is the second day of the march from Port Barry to an intermediate stop at Krat Springs, St. Anthony Catholic Church for mass and rest before continuing to the Vonia. My presence as a priest, first of all, is a presence of trying to show people the sign that the church also is involved in the fight for justice and peace.

Apart from that, Aussie is mainly as an opportunity to once again, to mobilize the black community, to let the black community know that we need to continue to come together, we need to stay on the battlefield, that life is a process of one struggle after another. The march was reminiscent of the protest common during the civil rights era of the early 60s, although many of these marchers are too young to remember those years. I just missed the 60s like that and one thing we found from going around the state is that people like myself who just missed the 60s are really excited about the opportunity to kind of live out some of those experiences of the 60s and those people who did live that was like home just sitting out waiting once again to come back and fight. Your spirit is real high out there. Do you feel like maybe you're setting a precedence

for the rest of the 80s for a nonviolent peaceful protest? I hope we are and we know that there are a lot of others that want it to be out here with us, but we determine that we should keep our number to a minimum and we know that those people are supporting us, they're backing us up all the way. I think that this march may serve as the catalyst if it gets national attention I think it may ignite other marches throughout the United States and if we can ignite other marches throughout the United States then probably we will not have to go to any other steps. In other words, maybe these marches will assure us equal protection of the law, equal equality in terms of economics and what have you. The march will culminate with a rally at the State Capitol on Saturday. A federal court ruled this week that the statewide election for an education superintendent must go on. That

is until a federal agency approves a law which makes the position an appointed one. The issue of an appointed versus an elected superintendent is making its way through the courts. Civil rights leaders say making the office an appointed one would greatly lessen the chances of a minority getting the office. Meantime education superintendent Tom Closen announced last weekend that he is a candidate for governor but that could change. You see, Closen made his announcement before the court ruling was handed down. Closen told a room for supporters and Baton Rouge that he would like to be a candidate for superintendent of education rather than a candidate for governor. What we would be doing tonight, we would be announcing for reelection for superintendent of education. But that office has been abolished. And I'll guarantee you any poll that you would run would indicate and show that the people would like to elect their superintendent of education. Polls were conducted and there's not one poll that anybody can show me. Two years ago when the news done that would indicate that they would like to have it appointed.

We're going to remove politics out of education by pointing the superintendent of education. Yes, that's going to be done as soon as they take it out of electing a vote and in the Baptist convention. That's what it'll be removed. And if you believe that I'm pointing a superintendent of education is going to remove politics, I want you to wait around a little while tonight and see me back in my room here at the hotel. I have some ocean front property. I want to say you're in Bucky, Louisiana. But accepting the education superintendent position as an appointed one, Colson says the best way he can address the education issues in the state is by running for governor. And it's going to take somebody to stand up in the governor's office and call it like it is. I'm willing to accept that challenge. My wife is willing to stand by me, my family and my friends and I'm asking you. And on this day, at this time, I am publicly saying to you announcing for the whole state of Louisiana that I will be a candidate for governor

in 1987 and I'm asking for your help. Please help me. It's one time and I promise you you won't be sorry. Thank you very much. And let's pass a good time. Meantime, the current governor, Edward Edwards, will begin a two-week television re-election campaign with six ads beginning on Monday. Now, two of the ads will focus on gambling as a solution to the state's economic problems. The other four will focus on the governor's 33 years of service and government and his support for a state lottery. And look for some new campaign ads next week from Congressman Buddy Romer and his bid for the governor's mansion. This week, Romer released what he calls a 10-point Louisiana recovery plan, a plan designed to create jobs and make Louisiana a winner again. Romer says the first thing Louisiana needs to do is clean up its politics. Romer says one of the things that business looks at is the political climate. He says Louisiana has earned overtime the reputation of corruption at the political level. Romer attributes that reputation to the relationship between money and politicians. Too much money buying too much influence. As Governor Romer says,

he would be free of money and influence. He also says he would dedicate a lot of time to education reform in order to create and maintain jobs in Louisiana. But it includes at a minimum finding out who can teach. That's called teacher evaluation. And paying them what they're worth. Finding out who can't teach and teach them how. It includes reducing the number of students in grades K through 3 per teacher to no more than 20. I'd like to take it to 12. But we don't have the teachers are the money to do that. Romer also says that he is not happy with higher education in Louisiana and that he would make LSU the state's flagship university. But we need a flagship university that's LSU that'll be our research and grant center. We will edge onward and upward toward entrance exams. You'll have to have more than a beating heart. You'll have to have a living

mind. We'll take the number of students down from the 30,000 level to the low 20s. But we'll make it an excellent school. It's got the potential right now. You know it and I know it. And Romer says he would do away with the Board of Regents. There are 67 people now on our higher education boards and I'm not going to put 67 people down. That would be both inaccurate of me and foolish. But the truth is that the next governor has got to do what it takes to do, to put the best and the brightest on our boards, not the most political. And if that means restructuring to get it done that I'm going to restructure. But at the very least it means new people, better people, stronger people, people who put our children in higher education first. And that's why I like doing away with the Board of Regents and starting over with an umbrella board called it the Board of Governors or whatever name you want to come up with it populated by new individuals. The only Republican in the race, Congressman Bob Livingston was in Baton Rouge this week

addressing a civic organization. Livingston says one of the main things Louisiana needs is new leadership. Well, I think the problem is that there really hasn't been much of leadership this year. The legislature has been looking for solutions. But obviously we have elections coming up by October and November and it's easier to put off the problems if we can buy time until after the session and then worry about those problems then. In fact, we really ought to be worrying about them now and we ought to be making changes to get the state of Louisiana back on the right track now. And come November Livingston says he will be in a runoff against Edwin Edwards. The question was do I think I can beat Edwin Edwards? And the answer is yes. Every single poll that has been taken since I first started looking at this thing in February of 1986 have shown that I have beaten Edward Edwards head up by no less than 17 points. So the answer is yes.

Can I beat Edward Edwards? You darn right I can. And there was some presidential politicking this week in Louisiana. Senator Albert Gord Jr. of Tennessee announced this week that he is a candidate for president seeking the Democratic nomination. He made his announcement in his home state of Tennessee and several other states. One of them, Louisiana. So I come here today as not as a Southern candidate but as a national candidate from the South and proud of it. Let's Senator Albert Gord Jr. the latest and at age 39 the youngest candidate for the Democratic presidential nominations. This week he addressed an Louisiana legislature. Some have asked me why don't you wait? To me that is the same question which confronts America in 1988. Are we ready for the challenge of the future now or should we wait? I believe we are ready now. We must accept the challenge of the future now. We must rekindle the spirit of America

now. We must regenerate a sense of national purpose now. That is why I've come here to Baton Rouge today to announce my candidacy for president of the United States. Well shared with reporters his thoughts on an oil import fee. He says he hasn't supported the idea in the past but he hasn't ruled out a change of heart. We're an oil import fee is concerned. I have not supported it in the past. I do believe it is an option which should be open for consideration. We don't know what the economic circumstances in this nation are going to be in January of 1989. We don't know what the world oil market is going to look like in January of 89. I believe the next president of the United States ought to have that open as an option and I support the legislation now pending in the Senate sponsored by Senator Lloyd Benson to keep a very close eye on the level of import dependence and if it rises above the 50% level then I do think that

this president ought to be put under pressure to come up with an energy plant. Well state lawmakers have not completed their work yet on Monday they will be returning to the state capital for a special session to deal with the state's mounting unemployment compensation debt. Yesterday Governor Edwards outlined his plan to wipe out the billion dollar debt a plan that calls for less benefits and a wage tax. We will present a bill which will reduce the unemployment compensation benefits for those applying after January the 1st to 7% below the national average. Specifically and emphatically it does not affect people who are now draw an unemployment compensation benefits that benefits will remain stable and unaffected by this legislation. Well that's our program for this week. Thanks for watching. Next week we'll have a report on the special session

until then have a good and safe holiday weekend. We'll see you. Bye bye. Funding for the production of Louisiana the state we're in is provided in part by the Ziggler Foundation of Jennings and Gulf state utilities helping Louisiana bridge the gap to our energy future.