1 00:00:01,334 --> 00:00:02,335 Production funding for 2 00:00:02,335 --> 00:00:03,570 this program is provided 3 00:00:03,570 --> 00:00:04,337 by the Fred B. 4 00:00:04,337 --> 00:00:05,972 and Ruth B. Zigler Foundation 5 00:00:05,972 --> 00:00:07,707 of Jennings, Louisiana. 6 00:00:07,707 --> 00:00:09,275 Visit the Zigler Museum Tuesday 7 00:00:09,275 --> 00:00:11,077 through Saturday from 9 to 5 8 00:00:11,077 --> 00:00:12,979 and Sunday from 1 to 5, 9 00:00:12,979 --> 00:00:13,413 featuring 10 00:00:13,413 --> 00:00:14,280 a distinctive collection 11 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:14,948 of European 12 00:00:14,948 --> 00:00:15,815 and American fine 13 00:00:15,815 --> 00:00:18,818 art and wildlife dioramas 14 00:00:18,918 --> 00:00:20,120 and by the Louisiana 15 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:22,088 Trial Lawyers Association. 16 00:00:22,088 --> 00:00:23,189 LTLA members 17 00:00:23,189 --> 00:00:24,591 work for consumers rights, 18 00:00:24,591 --> 00:00:25,692 workplace safety 19 00:00:25,692 --> 00:00:26,860 and for equal and fair 20 00:00:26,860 --> 00:00:27,694 representation 21 00:00:27,694 --> 00:00:30,697 before a court of law. 22 00:00:48,782 --> 00:00:50,450 Tonight on Louisiana: 23 00:00:50,450 --> 00:00:53,453 The State We're In. 24 00:00:53,753 --> 00:00:55,688 Every few years, it seems, 25 00:00:55,688 --> 00:00:56,523 another group 26 00:00:56,523 --> 00:00:58,158 takes a crack at figuring out 27 00:00:58,158 --> 00:00:59,659 what's wrong with the way 28 00:00:59,659 --> 00:01:02,128 Louisiana does business. 29 00:01:02,128 --> 00:01:04,464 Is this just another study group 30 00:01:04,464 --> 00:01:06,299 or is real change 31 00:01:06,299 --> 00:01:07,967 just around the corner 32 00:01:07,967 --> 00:01:10,503 just too long? 33 00:01:10,503 --> 00:01:12,138 Plus, Health Secretary 34 00:01:12,138 --> 00:01:14,340 Donna Shalala in Louisiana 35 00:01:14,340 --> 00:01:15,909 for a health care forum 36 00:01:15,909 --> 00:01:16,543 that leaves more 37 00:01:16,543 --> 00:01:18,278 questions than answers 38 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:22,348 [Music] 39 00:01:22,348 --> 00:01:23,550 From LPB, 40 00:01:23,550 --> 00:01:23,917 this is 41 00:01:23,917 --> 00:01:26,920 Louisiana's premiere newsmagazine 42 00:01:28,121 --> 00:01:30,390 with correspondents Arcie Chapa 43 00:01:30,390 --> 00:01:33,393 and Jeff Duhe 44 00:01:35,061 --> 00:01:38,064 and your host, Robert Collins. 45 00:01:38,832 --> 00:01:39,365 Good evening. 46 00:01:39,365 --> 00:01:40,467 On the program tonight, 47 00:01:40,467 --> 00:01:42,068 we unofficially kick off 48 00:01:42,068 --> 00:01:43,136 our 17th 49 00:01:43,136 --> 00:01:44,237 year of in-depth 50 00:01:44,237 --> 00:01:45,271 coverage of events 51 00:01:45,271 --> 00:01:46,940 at the state capitol. 52 00:01:46,940 --> 00:01:47,340 This year's 53 00:01:47,340 --> 00:01:48,374 legislative session 54 00:01:48,374 --> 00:01:50,376 begins on the 25th. 55 00:01:50,376 --> 00:01:51,044 And tonight, 56 00:01:51,044 --> 00:01:52,112 and in the upcoming 57 00:01:52,112 --> 00:01:53,680 editions of this program, 58 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:54,714 we'll be taking a look 59 00:01:54,714 --> 00:01:56,216 at the major money issues 60 00:01:56,216 --> 00:01:58,118 facing the lawmakers. 61 00:01:58,118 --> 00:01:59,552 Also tonight, America's 62 00:01:59,552 --> 00:02:00,753 secretary of health 63 00:02:00,753 --> 00:02:01,788 and Human Services, 64 00:02:01,788 --> 00:02:03,423 Donna Shalala, talks 65 00:02:03,423 --> 00:02:05,592 about health care in Louisiana. 66 00:02:05,592 --> 00:02:07,560 That a bit later. 67 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:09,863 First, the state budget. 68 00:02:09,863 --> 00:02:10,830 It's been eight months 69 00:02:10,830 --> 00:02:12,132 since our first story 70 00:02:12,132 --> 00:02:13,666 on a group of citizens meeting 71 00:02:13,666 --> 00:02:14,400 to sort 72 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:15,535 through Louisiana's 73 00:02:15,535 --> 00:02:16,636 money problems 74 00:02:16,636 --> 00:02:17,470 and try to come up 75 00:02:17,470 --> 00:02:18,872 with some solutions. 76 00:02:18,872 --> 00:02:19,339 Tonight, 77 00:02:19,339 --> 00:02:21,341 an update on that citizens group 78 00:02:21,341 --> 00:02:24,043 whose official title is secure. 79 00:02:24,043 --> 00:02:25,111 Jeff Duhe tells us 80 00:02:25,111 --> 00:02:26,946 what the group has come up with 81 00:02:26,946 --> 00:02:27,680 so far. 82 00:02:28,982 --> 00:02:29,582 Well, I'm not 83 00:02:29,582 --> 00:02:30,416 convinced that it's 84 00:02:30,416 --> 00:02:31,985 going out of control. 85 00:02:31,985 --> 00:02:33,753 It's totally out of hand. 86 00:02:33,753 --> 00:02:34,721 In preparation 87 00:02:34,721 --> 00:02:36,789 for the upcoming fiscal session, 88 00:02:36,789 --> 00:02:38,424 lawmakers have already begun 89 00:02:38,424 --> 00:02:39,692 to comb through the state budget 90 00:02:39,692 --> 00:02:40,393 and this time 91 00:02:40,393 --> 00:02:42,462 with a fine tooth comb. 92 00:02:42,462 --> 00:02:43,263 This year 93 00:02:43,263 --> 00:02:44,697 will see the first session 94 00:02:44,697 --> 00:02:45,932 devoted exclusively 95 00:02:45,932 --> 00:02:47,867 to money matters. 96 00:02:47,867 --> 00:02:49,435 What the state can afford, 97 00:02:49,435 --> 00:02:50,803 what the state can expect 98 00:02:50,803 --> 00:02:52,272 in revenues from taxes, 99 00:02:52,272 --> 00:02:54,474 especially energy production, 100 00:02:54,474 --> 00:02:56,042 and how much legislators 101 00:02:56,042 --> 00:02:56,509 are willing 102 00:02:56,509 --> 00:02:57,510 to give up 103 00:02:57,510 --> 00:02:58,745 in this early effort 104 00:02:58,745 --> 00:03:00,480 to balance a budget 105 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:01,981 that is at least $350 106 00:03:01,981 --> 00:03:04,417 million in the red this year 107 00:03:04,417 --> 00:03:05,585 and will be 108 00:03:05,585 --> 00:03:06,719 at least $700 109 00:03:06,719 --> 00:03:09,722 million short in 1996. 110 00:03:09,722 --> 00:03:10,857 I think that we're on 111 00:03:10,857 --> 00:03:13,026 on a train ride from here. 112 00:03:13,026 --> 00:03:13,860 Especially when a 113 00:03:13,860 --> 00:03:15,028 disproportionate share. 114 00:03:15,028 --> 00:03:15,461 This week, 115 00:03:15,461 --> 00:03:16,696 a joint committee on the budget 116 00:03:16,696 --> 00:03:17,997 heard their fiscal analysts 117 00:03:17,997 --> 00:03:20,500 drag out a familiar list of cuts 118 00:03:20,500 --> 00:03:22,602 to consolidate actions 119 00:03:22,602 --> 00:03:23,937 and accounting changes. 120 00:03:23,937 --> 00:03:24,637 Are we going to be in 121 00:03:24,637 --> 00:03:25,705 a situation 122 00:03:25,705 --> 00:03:26,172 where we're going to 123 00:03:26,172 --> 00:03:27,373 have a crisis 124 00:03:27,373 --> 00:03:27,640 or we're going 125 00:03:27,640 --> 00:03:29,108 to create a crisis 126 00:03:29,108 --> 00:03:30,276 over the Medicaid problem 127 00:03:30,276 --> 00:03:31,911 in the next year 128 00:03:31,911 --> 00:03:34,080 and be in a situation 129 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:34,714 where we're now 130 00:03:34,714 --> 00:03:35,415 going to be faced 131 00:03:35,415 --> 00:03:37,450 with $1,000,000,000 deficit? 132 00:03:37,450 --> 00:03:38,084 They wanted to get 133 00:03:38,084 --> 00:03:39,552 an early start, 134 00:03:39,552 --> 00:03:40,253 but slowing down 135 00:03:40,253 --> 00:03:41,688 the process is a natural 136 00:03:41,688 --> 00:03:43,890 political turf battle. 137 00:03:43,890 --> 00:03:44,524 For example, 138 00:03:44,524 --> 00:03:46,526 Senator John Guidry represents 139 00:03:46,526 --> 00:03:48,294 a mostly black urban 140 00:03:48,294 --> 00:03:50,196 quarter of Baton Rouge, 141 00:03:50,196 --> 00:03:51,130 where in lies 142 00:03:51,130 --> 00:03:53,166 Earl K. Long Hospital, 143 00:03:53,166 --> 00:03:54,500 the only medical option 144 00:03:54,500 --> 00:03:57,203 for many of Guidry's supporters. 145 00:03:57,203 --> 00:03:58,104 Is it out of place 146 00:03:58,104 --> 00:04:00,707 for him to ask for more money 147 00:04:00,707 --> 00:04:01,774 and better management 148 00:04:01,774 --> 00:04:02,542 at the hospital 149 00:04:02,542 --> 00:04:03,409 that cares for 150 00:04:03,409 --> 00:04:05,511 so many of his constituents? 151 00:04:05,511 --> 00:04:06,212 Because you see, 152 00:04:06,212 --> 00:04:07,447 it was this budget committee 153 00:04:07,447 --> 00:04:09,182 and it was this legislature 154 00:04:09,182 --> 00:04:11,417 who was raping and pillaging 155 00:04:11,417 --> 00:04:12,552 the public hospitals 156 00:04:12,552 --> 00:04:13,486 of this state. 157 00:04:13,486 --> 00:04:14,520 I resent the fact 158 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:15,255 that we took the money 159 00:04:15,255 --> 00:04:16,189 out of the OC 160 00:04:16,189 --> 00:04:17,156 in the first place. 161 00:04:17,156 --> 00:04:18,057 I resent that. 162 00:04:18,057 --> 00:04:19,158 Well, let me say this. 163 00:04:19,158 --> 00:04:20,727 This state has never deprived 164 00:04:20,727 --> 00:04:22,328 anybody any type of health care. 165 00:04:22,328 --> 00:04:23,062 When the last time you 166 00:04:23,062 --> 00:04:24,397 went there, Bo. Well, 167 00:04:25,431 --> 00:04:26,966 you were right. 168 00:04:26,966 --> 00:04:27,267 I'm sorry. 169 00:04:27,267 --> 00:04:28,201 And this is the 170 00:04:28,201 --> 00:04:29,569 order of the day. 171 00:04:29,569 --> 00:04:31,204 So many needs business, 172 00:04:31,204 --> 00:04:34,207 so little of the proverbial pie 173 00:04:34,507 --> 00:04:36,242 to go around. It's business. 174 00:04:36,242 --> 00:04:37,543 And to me it's important. 175 00:04:37,543 --> 00:04:38,745 It's as important to me 176 00:04:38,745 --> 00:04:40,446 as Southeastern is to you. 177 00:04:40,446 --> 00:04:41,848 Thank you, sir. 178 00:04:41,848 --> 00:04:43,616 In the midst of the fray, 179 00:04:43,616 --> 00:04:44,517 frustration. 180 00:04:44,517 --> 00:04:46,953 And sometimes of stagnation, 181 00:04:46,953 --> 00:04:47,687 which from time 182 00:04:47,687 --> 00:04:48,688 to time has begged 183 00:04:48,688 --> 00:04:49,522 for an above 184 00:04:49,522 --> 00:04:50,556 the fray 185 00:04:50,556 --> 00:04:53,026 set of equitable solutions. 186 00:04:53,026 --> 00:04:53,793 Every few years, 187 00:04:53,793 --> 00:04:54,260 it seems 188 00:04:54,260 --> 00:04:55,495 the thing to do is gather 189 00:04:55,495 --> 00:04:57,330 some outsiders together 190 00:04:57,330 --> 00:04:58,598 and have them investigate 191 00:04:58,598 --> 00:04:59,198 what's wrong 192 00:04:59,198 --> 00:05:00,733 with state government 193 00:05:00,733 --> 00:05:03,002 and then find ways to fix it. 194 00:05:03,002 --> 00:05:03,770 This time around 195 00:05:03,770 --> 00:05:05,405 is called SECURE, 196 00:05:05,405 --> 00:05:07,740 the Select Council on Revenues 197 00:05:07,740 --> 00:05:09,709 and Expenditures, 198 00:05:09,709 --> 00:05:11,244 and this is SECURE. 199 00:05:11,244 --> 00:05:12,178 Men and women meeting 200 00:05:12,178 --> 00:05:13,579 since August 201 00:05:13,579 --> 00:05:14,113 to plot 202 00:05:14,113 --> 00:05:14,580 where the state 203 00:05:14,580 --> 00:05:15,982 should go from here. 204 00:05:15,982 --> 00:05:17,350 How to retract ourselves 205 00:05:17,350 --> 00:05:19,719 from unnecessary infighting, 206 00:05:19,719 --> 00:05:20,353 how to cut, 207 00:05:20,353 --> 00:05:21,721 consolidate and 208 00:05:21,721 --> 00:05:23,456 change accounting. 209 00:05:23,456 --> 00:05:24,023 Lee Griffin 210 00:05:24,023 --> 00:05:26,025 is one of those outsiders. 211 00:05:26,025 --> 00:05:26,793 He's chairman 212 00:05:26,793 --> 00:05:29,762 and CEO of Premier Bank. 213 00:05:29,896 --> 00:05:30,463 The securities 214 00:05:30,463 --> 00:05:32,899 job comes in two phases. 215 00:05:32,899 --> 00:05:34,133 The report that will be out 216 00:05:34,133 --> 00:05:37,070 shortly is a Phase one report. 217 00:05:37,070 --> 00:05:39,005 Phase two report will be April 218 00:05:39,005 --> 00:05:40,006 of '95. 219 00:05:41,507 --> 00:05:43,042 And the first phase 220 00:05:43,042 --> 00:05:43,343 kind of 221 00:05:43,343 --> 00:05:43,943 takes a look 222 00:05:43,943 --> 00:05:46,646 at some of the things that are 223 00:05:46,646 --> 00:05:47,780 obvious, things 224 00:05:47,780 --> 00:05:48,348 that we can do 225 00:05:48,348 --> 00:05:49,382 kind of short term 226 00:05:49,382 --> 00:05:50,650 to save some dollars 227 00:05:50,650 --> 00:05:52,352 and to improve the state. 228 00:05:52,352 --> 00:05:52,952 It took a look 229 00:05:52,952 --> 00:05:54,620 at cash management 230 00:05:54,620 --> 00:05:55,621 organization 231 00:05:55,621 --> 00:05:58,157 and staffing at the state level 232 00:05:58,157 --> 00:06:00,593 and personnel and benefits 233 00:06:00,593 --> 00:06:02,795 and in the cash management area. 234 00:06:02,795 --> 00:06:05,798 Let's talk about it. 235 00:06:06,566 --> 00:06:07,500 Our analysis 236 00:06:07,500 --> 00:06:08,701 to date indicates 237 00:06:08,701 --> 00:06:10,903 that we could save the state 238 00:06:10,903 --> 00:06:12,338 $65 million, 239 00:06:12,338 --> 00:06:13,239 and I use the word 240 00:06:13,239 --> 00:06:14,140 save to mean 241 00:06:14,140 --> 00:06:16,409 that we can increase the income 242 00:06:16,409 --> 00:06:18,344 and reduce the expenses 243 00:06:18,344 --> 00:06:20,313 by consolidating 244 00:06:20,313 --> 00:06:21,447 our cash management 245 00:06:21,447 --> 00:06:22,382 efforts throughout the state. 246 00:06:22,382 --> 00:06:25,385 We have over 35 or so 247 00:06:25,451 --> 00:06:28,321 individual cash management 248 00:06:28,321 --> 00:06:29,522 efforts going on in the state. 249 00:06:29,522 --> 00:06:31,424 We need to consolidate that. 250 00:06:31,424 --> 00:06:32,258 We need to be able 251 00:06:32,258 --> 00:06:34,460 to invest some of our 8g money 252 00:06:34,460 --> 00:06:35,762 in equities. 253 00:06:35,762 --> 00:06:37,330 Right now, 254 00:06:37,330 --> 00:06:39,532 the law does not allow 255 00:06:39,532 --> 00:06:40,533 any 8g money 256 00:06:40,533 --> 00:06:41,801 to be invested in equities 257 00:06:41,801 --> 00:06:43,503 where we're I mean, we've 258 00:06:43,503 --> 00:06:45,071 the world has gone by here 259 00:06:46,406 --> 00:06:47,640 where other funds throughout 260 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:48,875 all the rest of the states 261 00:06:48,875 --> 00:06:50,743 are investing in equities 262 00:06:50,743 --> 00:06:52,078 by a portion not, 263 00:06:52,078 --> 00:06:52,378 you know, 264 00:06:52,378 --> 00:06:53,679 maybe 25% 265 00:06:53,679 --> 00:06:55,882 or whatever of the fund 266 00:06:55,882 --> 00:06:56,816 so that you can keep up 267 00:06:56,816 --> 00:06:58,284 with inflation 268 00:06:58,284 --> 00:06:59,619 and take advantage of the growth 269 00:06:59,619 --> 00:07:01,421 in this country. 270 00:07:01,421 --> 00:07:04,424 We have 138 271 00:07:04,557 --> 00:07:07,326 payroll systems. 272 00:07:07,326 --> 00:07:10,263 Exxon has one. 273 00:07:10,263 --> 00:07:11,731 Why does the state need 274 00:07:11,731 --> 00:07:14,734 138 payroll systems, 275 00:07:14,734 --> 00:07:16,169 138 places 276 00:07:16,169 --> 00:07:16,969 where checks are written 277 00:07:16,969 --> 00:07:19,238 to make make payroll? 278 00:07:19,238 --> 00:07:20,506 If we consolidate that, 279 00:07:20,506 --> 00:07:21,374 we'll have not only 280 00:07:21,374 --> 00:07:23,142 operating savings, 281 00:07:23,142 --> 00:07:24,377 but we'll be able to again 282 00:07:24,377 --> 00:07:26,746 consolidate our handling of cash 283 00:07:26,746 --> 00:07:27,680 a lot better 284 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:28,147 and make some 285 00:07:28,147 --> 00:07:29,749 great improvements. 286 00:07:29,749 --> 00:07:30,983 The secure group includes 287 00:07:30,983 --> 00:07:31,951 only four members 288 00:07:31,951 --> 00:07:32,885 of the legislature. 289 00:07:32,885 --> 00:07:34,053 Senate President Sammy 290 00:07:34,053 --> 00:07:35,388 Nunez, Speaker of the House 291 00:07:35,388 --> 00:07:36,522 John Alario, 292 00:07:36,522 --> 00:07:37,590 Senate President Pro 293 00:07:37,590 --> 00:07:38,257 Tem Dennis 294 00:07:38,257 --> 00:07:39,959 Bagneris and House 295 00:07:39,959 --> 00:07:41,027 Point Man on Money, 296 00:07:41,027 --> 00:07:42,562 Steve Theriot, 297 00:07:42,562 --> 00:07:45,398 the other so-called outsiders. 298 00:07:45,398 --> 00:07:46,232 Kevin Reilly, 299 00:07:46,232 --> 00:07:46,866 the Secretary 300 00:07:46,866 --> 00:07:48,334 of Economic Development. 301 00:07:48,334 --> 00:07:49,335 There's Red Bourg, 302 00:07:49,335 --> 00:07:50,403 well-known lobbyist 303 00:07:50,403 --> 00:07:53,372 and treasurer for the AFL-CIO. 304 00:07:53,372 --> 00:07:54,640 Lafayette will recognize 305 00:07:54,640 --> 00:07:56,342 Parish Council President 306 00:07:56,342 --> 00:07:57,643 Walter Como. 307 00:07:57,643 --> 00:07:58,044 Dr. 308 00:07:58,044 --> 00:07:58,611 Gary Cook 309 00:07:58,611 --> 00:08:00,079 is president of Albemarle 310 00:08:00,079 --> 00:08:02,882 Chemical used to be Ethyl Corp. 311 00:08:02,882 --> 00:08:04,450 John Cordero is president 312 00:08:04,450 --> 00:08:06,886 of Louisiana Power and Light. 313 00:08:06,886 --> 00:08:08,488 George Tin Egg is a partner 314 00:08:08,488 --> 00:08:10,323 in a New Orleans law firm. 315 00:08:10,323 --> 00:08:11,624 Al Donovan 316 00:08:11,624 --> 00:08:12,725 is executive council 317 00:08:12,725 --> 00:08:13,559 to Edwin Edwards. 318 00:08:14,527 --> 00:08:15,728 Kay Foreman is a Lafayette 319 00:08:15,728 --> 00:08:17,730 political consultant. 320 00:08:17,730 --> 00:08:18,631 John Grantham 321 00:08:18,631 --> 00:08:19,999 represents Northeast 322 00:08:19,999 --> 00:08:21,734 Louisiana University. 323 00:08:21,734 --> 00:08:23,302 There's Dan Juneau, 324 00:08:23,302 --> 00:08:24,270 head of the Louisiana 325 00:08:24,270 --> 00:08:25,471 Association of Business 326 00:08:25,471 --> 00:08:27,773 and Industry LABI there. 327 00:08:27,773 --> 00:08:29,041 And there's Jonathan Roberts 328 00:08:29,041 --> 00:08:30,376 of Southern University. 329 00:08:30,376 --> 00:08:31,444 And Bobby Simpson, 330 00:08:31,444 --> 00:08:33,846 the mayor of the city of Baker 331 00:08:33,846 --> 00:08:34,480 Monroe's 332 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:35,781 Sharon Taylor is on the school 333 00:08:35,781 --> 00:08:36,616 board there. 334 00:08:36,616 --> 00:08:37,483 Erica Schwartz 335 00:08:37,483 --> 00:08:38,484 is student government 336 00:08:38,484 --> 00:08:39,852 president of Loyola 337 00:08:39,852 --> 00:08:40,686 in New Orleans. 338 00:08:40,686 --> 00:08:41,387 Not here today. 339 00:08:41,387 --> 00:08:42,421 The president of the Board 340 00:08:42,421 --> 00:08:43,523 of Trustees 341 00:08:43,523 --> 00:08:44,223 of Colleges 342 00:08:44,223 --> 00:08:45,124 and Universities, 343 00:08:45,124 --> 00:08:45,725 the president 344 00:08:45,725 --> 00:08:46,859 of the largest teacher 345 00:08:46,859 --> 00:08:48,060 union, PAR's 346 00:08:48,060 --> 00:08:48,728 Mark Drennen, 347 00:08:48,728 --> 00:08:49,295 the president 348 00:08:49,295 --> 00:08:51,030 of the optimistic oil company, 349 00:08:51,030 --> 00:08:51,931 another lawyer 350 00:08:51,931 --> 00:08:52,865 and another student 351 00:08:52,865 --> 00:08:54,233 body president. 352 00:08:54,233 --> 00:08:55,001 Was there a point 353 00:08:55,001 --> 00:08:56,135 when someone 354 00:08:56,135 --> 00:08:56,936 may have said something 355 00:08:56,936 --> 00:08:57,603 that you were actually 356 00:08:57,603 --> 00:08:58,804 surprised by, 357 00:08:58,804 --> 00:09:00,673 something you thought, gee, 358 00:09:00,673 --> 00:09:02,375 I didn't know 359 00:09:02,375 --> 00:09:04,277 or I didn't think that folks 360 00:09:04,277 --> 00:09:05,978 actually thought this? 361 00:09:05,978 --> 00:09:07,747 What really impressed me 362 00:09:07,747 --> 00:09:09,615 was the fact that these people 363 00:09:09,615 --> 00:09:10,449 who really don't know 364 00:09:10,449 --> 00:09:12,051 the workings of state government 365 00:09:12,051 --> 00:09:13,085 became so familiar 366 00:09:13,085 --> 00:09:14,687 with the internal structure 367 00:09:14,687 --> 00:09:15,388 of the 368 00:09:15,388 --> 00:09:16,689 of the state government 369 00:09:16,689 --> 00:09:19,091 and also very impressed with the 370 00:09:19,091 --> 00:09:19,392 and this 371 00:09:19,392 --> 00:09:20,393 is, quote unquote, 372 00:09:20,393 --> 00:09:21,661 by some of the people 373 00:09:21,661 --> 00:09:23,262 that the staff of 374 00:09:23,262 --> 00:09:24,096 both the committees 375 00:09:24,096 --> 00:09:25,331 of both the legislatures, 376 00:09:25,331 --> 00:09:27,066 both the Senate and the House 377 00:09:27,066 --> 00:09:28,167 and the private sector 378 00:09:28,167 --> 00:09:29,235 people who are here 379 00:09:29,235 --> 00:09:30,536 are very impressive 380 00:09:30,536 --> 00:09:31,971 and know that we can solve 381 00:09:31,971 --> 00:09:33,005 the problem of this state 382 00:09:33,005 --> 00:09:34,340 if we adhere to them. 383 00:09:34,340 --> 00:09:34,740 The problem 384 00:09:34,740 --> 00:09:35,775 is going to be passing 385 00:09:35,775 --> 00:09:36,275 these things 386 00:09:36,275 --> 00:09:37,777 through the process, 387 00:09:37,777 --> 00:09:38,311 passing them 388 00:09:38,311 --> 00:09:39,712 through the legislative process 389 00:09:39,712 --> 00:09:41,647 in a constitutional process. 390 00:09:41,647 --> 00:09:43,649 It seems like 391 00:09:43,649 --> 00:09:45,318 another of those studies that 392 00:09:46,652 --> 00:09:47,920 you could have done with 393 00:09:47,920 --> 00:09:49,055 that excellent staff 394 00:09:49,055 --> 00:09:50,923 with your 39 auditors 395 00:09:50,923 --> 00:09:51,557 here at the Senate, 396 00:09:51,557 --> 00:09:52,892 an equal number in the House. 397 00:09:52,892 --> 00:09:53,659 Those folks, 398 00:09:53,659 --> 00:09:54,594 if they're so good, 399 00:09:54,594 --> 00:09:55,761 they can come up with these kind 400 00:09:55,761 --> 00:09:56,796 of common sense solutions. 401 00:09:56,796 --> 00:09:58,164 They do it all the time for 402 00:09:58,164 --> 00:09:59,599 regular legislation. 403 00:09:59,599 --> 00:10:01,467 Why can't we ever seem to listen 404 00:10:01,467 --> 00:10:03,302 to just the regular auditors 405 00:10:03,302 --> 00:10:04,770 without having to come up with 406 00:10:04,770 --> 00:10:05,705 with a big document, 407 00:10:05,705 --> 00:10:07,073 a big committee like this? 408 00:10:07,073 --> 00:10:08,174 The problem is 409 00:10:08,174 --> 00:10:09,875 that when you have 410 00:10:09,875 --> 00:10:11,077 problems that address themselves 411 00:10:11,077 --> 00:10:11,277 from a 412 00:10:11,277 --> 00:10:12,645 constitutional standpoint, 413 00:10:12,645 --> 00:10:13,646 that you've got to pass that 414 00:10:13,646 --> 00:10:14,647 by the public. 415 00:10:14,647 --> 00:10:15,781 Now, there may be 416 00:10:15,781 --> 00:10:16,616 some interests out there 417 00:10:16,616 --> 00:10:18,651 who do not want to address this, 418 00:10:18,651 --> 00:10:19,318 solve the problem 419 00:10:19,318 --> 00:10:20,252 the same way 420 00:10:20,252 --> 00:10:21,554 that the legislature indicated 421 00:10:21,554 --> 00:10:22,121 that they think 422 00:10:22,121 --> 00:10:23,189 it ought to be solved. 423 00:10:23,189 --> 00:10:24,724 So we've got to look at that. 424 00:10:24,724 --> 00:10:25,958 What what what I'm saying? 425 00:10:25,958 --> 00:10:27,093 Of course, it's another study, 426 00:10:27,093 --> 00:10:28,561 but it's a good study 427 00:10:28,561 --> 00:10:29,161 and it's one 428 00:10:29,161 --> 00:10:30,062 that has a lot of input 429 00:10:30,062 --> 00:10:31,163 from a lot of people. 430 00:10:31,163 --> 00:10:32,431 It's one we've never had 431 00:10:32,431 --> 00:10:33,733 the we've never had 432 00:10:33,733 --> 00:10:34,634 a consulted team 433 00:10:34,634 --> 00:10:35,735 from outside the state 434 00:10:35,735 --> 00:10:36,936 or from inside the state 435 00:10:36,936 --> 00:10:37,770 that have looked at 436 00:10:38,838 --> 00:10:40,906 ten or 12 other states 437 00:10:40,906 --> 00:10:42,241 that have managed 438 00:10:42,241 --> 00:10:44,110 that same type of problem 439 00:10:44,110 --> 00:10:45,511 that people have outside 440 00:10:45,511 --> 00:10:46,946 this area, outside the state. 441 00:10:46,946 --> 00:10:47,480 They're looking at it 442 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:48,614 from a different perspective. 443 00:10:48,614 --> 00:10:50,182 What Secure has produced 444 00:10:50,182 --> 00:10:51,884 so far is a draft of what 445 00:10:51,884 --> 00:10:53,586 they will eventually propose 446 00:10:53,586 --> 00:10:55,021 to the legislature. 447 00:10:55,021 --> 00:10:55,688 It contains 448 00:10:55,688 --> 00:10:57,990 dozens of suggestions on cuts, 449 00:10:57,990 --> 00:10:58,858 consolidation 450 00:10:58,858 --> 00:11:00,326 and accounting changes. 451 00:11:00,326 --> 00:11:02,161 Among them, add 20 auditors 452 00:11:02,161 --> 00:11:02,828 and see if they 453 00:11:02,828 --> 00:11:03,796 can do a better job 454 00:11:03,796 --> 00:11:04,764 managing state money 455 00:11:04,764 --> 00:11:05,831 than the private companies 456 00:11:05,831 --> 00:11:07,466 are doing for us now. 457 00:11:07,466 --> 00:11:08,467 Move up the deadline 458 00:11:08,467 --> 00:11:11,003 for paying state income taxes, 459 00:11:11,003 --> 00:11:11,704 make the lottery 460 00:11:11,704 --> 00:11:14,140 pay up its share each month, 461 00:11:14,140 --> 00:11:15,641 use standardized tax forms 462 00:11:15,641 --> 00:11:16,742 and get more machines 463 00:11:16,742 --> 00:11:18,544 and people to process them. 464 00:11:18,544 --> 00:11:19,779 Invest more education, 465 00:11:19,779 --> 00:11:21,580 trust fund money, 466 00:11:21,580 --> 00:11:23,649 consolidate 130 different 467 00:11:23,649 --> 00:11:25,351 payroll centers, 468 00:11:25,351 --> 00:11:26,285 streamline management 469 00:11:26,285 --> 00:11:27,253 of state workers, 470 00:11:27,253 --> 00:11:28,354 replace the state worker 471 00:11:28,354 --> 00:11:29,055 rating system 472 00:11:29,055 --> 00:11:30,523 with an appraisal system, 473 00:11:30,523 --> 00:11:31,624 Increase training 474 00:11:31,624 --> 00:11:32,491 for state workers. 475 00:11:32,491 --> 00:11:34,193 Simplify the benefit package 476 00:11:34,193 --> 00:11:35,494 for state workers. 477 00:11:35,494 --> 00:11:36,062 Listen to the 478 00:11:36,062 --> 00:11:38,330 legislative auditor and abolish 479 00:11:38,330 --> 00:11:40,232 40 boards and commissions. 480 00:11:40,232 --> 00:11:41,467 Request the Board of Regents 481 00:11:41,467 --> 00:11:42,835 continue its ongoing 482 00:11:42,835 --> 00:11:43,769 review of college 483 00:11:43,769 --> 00:11:44,804 programs, 484 00:11:44,804 --> 00:11:46,105 continue to operate the 485 00:11:46,105 --> 00:11:47,573 charity hospitals system, 486 00:11:49,041 --> 00:11:50,876 study more policies, find 487 00:11:50,876 --> 00:11:52,044 efficiencies, 488 00:11:52,044 --> 00:11:53,145 cut, consolidate 489 00:11:53,145 --> 00:11:54,847 and change accounting. 490 00:11:54,847 --> 00:11:55,414 He called in 491 00:11:55,414 --> 00:11:56,615 and made some wordsmithing 492 00:11:56,615 --> 00:11:57,483 change. 493 00:11:57,483 --> 00:11:58,284 Normally, 494 00:11:58,284 --> 00:11:59,652 big changes 495 00:11:59,652 --> 00:12:01,587 don't occur overnight. 496 00:12:01,587 --> 00:12:04,590 They evolve and ultimately 497 00:12:04,657 --> 00:12:05,891 you have to face the music. 498 00:12:05,891 --> 00:12:07,259 I think Louisiana is at 499 00:12:07,259 --> 00:12:07,593 the place 500 00:12:07,593 --> 00:12:07,893 where it's 501 00:12:07,893 --> 00:12:09,395 got to face the music. 502 00:12:09,395 --> 00:12:09,729 Okay. 503 00:12:09,729 --> 00:12:11,397 The plan is 504 00:12:11,397 --> 00:12:12,531 get a group of people, 505 00:12:12,531 --> 00:12:14,467 diverse people together, 506 00:12:14,467 --> 00:12:17,470 come up with a list of ideas. 507 00:12:17,536 --> 00:12:18,771 And the third part 508 00:12:18,771 --> 00:12:19,739 sounds kind of nebulous 509 00:12:19,739 --> 00:12:20,840 to me, though. 510 00:12:20,840 --> 00:12:22,808 Well, that idea of taking action 511 00:12:22,808 --> 00:12:24,310 will be taken rather than. 512 00:12:24,310 --> 00:12:25,111 Well, sure. 513 00:12:25,111 --> 00:12:25,678 I mean, 514 00:12:25,678 --> 00:12:26,078 I mean, it's 515 00:12:26,078 --> 00:12:26,645 easy to come up 516 00:12:26,645 --> 00:12:27,646 with ideas sometimes, 517 00:12:27,646 --> 00:12:29,081 but it's all hard to implement 518 00:12:29,081 --> 00:12:29,782 a lot of things 519 00:12:29,782 --> 00:12:31,550 through the political process. 520 00:12:31,550 --> 00:12:33,719 But think about our timing, 521 00:12:33,719 --> 00:12:34,253 which we didn't 522 00:12:34,253 --> 00:12:35,755 create just happened. Okay. 523 00:12:36,756 --> 00:12:38,023 The elections 524 00:12:38,023 --> 00:12:39,792 will come up in the fall in '95 525 00:12:39,792 --> 00:12:41,861 our phase one report 526 00:12:41,861 --> 00:12:43,262 submitted shortly, 527 00:12:43,262 --> 00:12:43,829 our a phase 528 00:12:43,829 --> 00:12:45,297 two report will be submitted 529 00:12:45,297 --> 00:12:48,300 April of '95. 530 00:12:48,801 --> 00:12:49,802 People will be running 531 00:12:49,802 --> 00:12:50,870 for office 532 00:12:50,870 --> 00:12:53,072 in the fall of that year. 533 00:12:53,072 --> 00:12:53,773 Now, why would this 534 00:12:53,773 --> 00:12:55,541 be a wonderful document 535 00:12:55,541 --> 00:12:58,444 for people to say, to endorse 536 00:12:58,444 --> 00:12:58,878 and say, 537 00:12:58,878 --> 00:12:59,845 this is good government, 538 00:12:59,845 --> 00:13:00,479 this is what our 539 00:13:00,479 --> 00:13:01,580 state needs to do? 540 00:13:01,580 --> 00:13:02,081 I'm afraid 541 00:13:02,081 --> 00:13:02,982 it's gonna end up on the shelf 542 00:13:02,982 --> 00:13:03,616 just like the others 543 00:13:03,616 --> 00:13:05,451 in the long run. 544 00:13:05,451 --> 00:13:05,885 I think 545 00:13:05,885 --> 00:13:06,952 it's going to run another year 546 00:13:06,952 --> 00:13:09,121 and some of the recommendations 547 00:13:09,121 --> 00:13:09,455 are just going 548 00:13:09,455 --> 00:13:11,690 to get put back on the shelf 549 00:13:11,690 --> 00:13:13,025 and it's going to be 550 00:13:13,025 --> 00:13:13,893 another expenditure 551 00:13:13,893 --> 00:13:14,760 that the state don't need 552 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:16,095 at the stage of key. 553 00:13:16,095 --> 00:13:17,897 And a lot of it is state funds. 554 00:13:17,897 --> 00:13:19,265 Just take it as an example. 555 00:13:19,265 --> 00:13:20,733 The legislative auditor 556 00:13:20,733 --> 00:13:21,600 has assigned, 557 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:22,601 I think, 32 558 00:13:22,601 --> 00:13:24,203 people who are working 559 00:13:24,203 --> 00:13:25,237 daily on this. 560 00:13:25,237 --> 00:13:26,272 That is a cost 561 00:13:26,272 --> 00:13:27,206 to State government. 562 00:13:27,206 --> 00:13:28,607 Those 32 people could 563 00:13:28,607 --> 00:13:29,909 be used elsewhere 564 00:13:29,909 --> 00:13:31,343 to help us control some of the 565 00:13:31,343 --> 00:13:32,711 problems in state government. 566 00:13:33,746 --> 00:13:34,313 If there are 567 00:13:34,313 --> 00:13:35,414 already complaints, 568 00:13:35,414 --> 00:13:36,081 this is just 569 00:13:36,081 --> 00:13:37,383 another study group. 570 00:13:37,383 --> 00:13:38,150 The next steps 571 00:13:38,150 --> 00:13:39,652 are even more controversial 572 00:13:39,652 --> 00:13:40,986 and potentially 573 00:13:40,986 --> 00:13:42,788 more disappointing. 574 00:13:42,788 --> 00:13:43,589 The secure report 575 00:13:43,589 --> 00:13:45,624 will be presented for action 576 00:13:45,624 --> 00:13:48,060 to the legislature 577 00:13:48,060 --> 00:13:48,661 and a lot of it 578 00:13:48,661 --> 00:13:50,062 is not going to be done today. 579 00:13:50,062 --> 00:13:51,130 A lot of it won't be done 580 00:13:51,130 --> 00:13:51,964 this year. 581 00:13:51,964 --> 00:13:52,932 It's going to take a phase 582 00:13:52,932 --> 00:13:53,766 one or phase two 583 00:13:53,766 --> 00:13:55,334 and possibly a phase three, 584 00:13:55,334 --> 00:13:56,769 but it's an ongoing project. 585 00:13:56,769 --> 00:13:58,470 It's an ongoing workload 586 00:13:58,470 --> 00:13:59,538 that this legislature 587 00:13:59,538 --> 00:14:00,739 has adopted 588 00:14:00,739 --> 00:14:01,607 in conjunction 589 00:14:01,607 --> 00:14:03,475 with the private sector 590 00:14:03,475 --> 00:14:04,176 funds raised 591 00:14:04,176 --> 00:14:05,110 by the private sector 592 00:14:05,110 --> 00:14:06,145 going into this project. 593 00:14:06,145 --> 00:14:06,812 So, you know, 594 00:14:06,812 --> 00:14:07,880 you've got some well-meaning 595 00:14:07,880 --> 00:14:08,581 people out there 596 00:14:08,581 --> 00:14:11,150 who want something to happen. 597 00:14:11,150 --> 00:14:12,084 There have been study 598 00:14:12,084 --> 00:14:13,419 groups in the past, 599 00:14:13,419 --> 00:14:14,520 but there's been no study 600 00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:15,988 group like this before 601 00:14:15,988 --> 00:14:16,922 because we've got 602 00:14:16,922 --> 00:14:18,424 just about every 603 00:14:18,424 --> 00:14:19,658 special interest group 604 00:14:19,658 --> 00:14:20,926 represented on this commission. 605 00:14:20,926 --> 00:14:22,261 And that was done by design 606 00:14:22,261 --> 00:14:23,896 because we wanted 607 00:14:23,896 --> 00:14:25,231 to get the people 608 00:14:25,231 --> 00:14:26,131 that could really make 609 00:14:26,131 --> 00:14:27,900 a difference in this state 610 00:14:29,401 --> 00:14:30,302 to get 611 00:14:30,302 --> 00:14:31,604 together, put their 612 00:14:31,604 --> 00:14:33,272 heads together, cooperate 613 00:14:33,272 --> 00:14:34,406 if possible. 614 00:14:34,406 --> 00:14:35,608 And we've had great success. 615 00:14:35,608 --> 00:14:36,775 So far 616 00:14:36,775 --> 00:14:38,310 in trying to figure out together 617 00:14:38,310 --> 00:14:38,878 what we've got to 618 00:14:38,878 --> 00:14:39,778 do for this state. 619 00:14:39,778 --> 00:14:41,981 And now you find 620 00:14:41,981 --> 00:14:43,048 people 621 00:14:43,048 --> 00:14:43,515 that might have 622 00:14:43,515 --> 00:14:44,316 a different opinion 623 00:14:44,316 --> 00:14:45,751 than you have or that I have. 624 00:14:45,751 --> 00:14:46,452 But we've got a lot 625 00:14:46,452 --> 00:14:47,553 of good people in this state 626 00:14:47,553 --> 00:14:49,021 that care about the state. 627 00:14:49,021 --> 00:14:50,422 Now the group heads into phase 628 00:14:50,422 --> 00:14:51,991 two of its work, 629 00:14:51,991 --> 00:14:53,058 studying the problems 630 00:14:53,058 --> 00:14:54,093 in more detail. 631 00:14:54,093 --> 00:14:54,660 A summit 632 00:14:54,660 --> 00:14:56,061 for the area of education 633 00:14:56,061 --> 00:14:56,762 is proposed. 634 00:14:56,762 --> 00:14:57,596 More details 635 00:14:57,596 --> 00:14:58,864 for cuts, consolidations 636 00:14:58,864 --> 00:14:59,565 and accounting 637 00:14:59,565 --> 00:15:01,066 changes are called for. 638 00:15:01,066 --> 00:15:02,401 Secure will continue 639 00:15:02,401 --> 00:15:05,404 to talk about problems. 640 00:15:05,471 --> 00:15:07,306 Whether any change comes 641 00:15:07,306 --> 00:15:08,374 from all that talk 642 00:15:08,374 --> 00:15:10,509 and fact finding 643 00:15:10,509 --> 00:15:13,512 is, of course, another matter. 644 00:15:14,013 --> 00:15:14,980 Chairman Lee Griffin 645 00:15:14,980 --> 00:15:16,815 says the group can only achieve 646 00:15:16,815 --> 00:15:17,583 real success 647 00:15:17,583 --> 00:15:18,183 in pushing 648 00:15:18,183 --> 00:15:20,219 for the reforms that it wants. 649 00:15:20,219 --> 00:15:21,720 If people learn more about 650 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:23,322 what the group is proposing 651 00:15:23,322 --> 00:15:24,223 and then those people 652 00:15:24,223 --> 00:15:24,924 put pressure 653 00:15:24,924 --> 00:15:26,325 on lawmakers to pass 654 00:15:26,325 --> 00:15:27,993 secures recommendations. 655 00:15:29,194 --> 00:15:29,762 Ordinary 656 00:15:29,762 --> 00:15:31,096 citizens spoke up in 657 00:15:31,096 --> 00:15:32,798 another area this week. 658 00:15:32,798 --> 00:15:35,000 Health care reform was the topic 659 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:36,802 and the US Secretary of Health 660 00:15:36,802 --> 00:15:38,037 and Human Services 661 00:15:38,037 --> 00:15:38,771 was the target 662 00:15:38,771 --> 00:15:40,439 of some pointed questions 663 00:15:40,439 --> 00:15:41,707 at a town meeting in Baton 664 00:15:41,707 --> 00:15:43,042 Rouge this week. 665 00:15:43,042 --> 00:15:44,810 Arcie Chapa has some highlights 666 00:15:44,810 --> 00:15:47,813 from that gathering. 667 00:15:50,549 --> 00:15:52,418 Almost 15 years ago, Dr. 668 00:15:52,418 --> 00:15:53,852 Gary Wiltz was fresh 669 00:15:53,852 --> 00:15:54,954 out of medical school 670 00:15:54,954 --> 00:15:56,555 and in need of a job. 671 00:15:56,555 --> 00:15:58,490 He found himself in Franklin, 672 00:15:58,490 --> 00:16:00,459 only 100 miles from his home 673 00:16:00,459 --> 00:16:01,727 in New Orleans. 674 00:16:01,727 --> 00:16:03,228 He came to work at the 675 00:16:03,228 --> 00:16:04,396 Teche Action Clinic, 676 00:16:04,396 --> 00:16:04,997 a community 677 00:16:04,997 --> 00:16:06,332 based health care center 678 00:16:06,332 --> 00:16:08,200 founded for the area poor 679 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:09,601 by the Southern Mutual Health 680 00:16:09,601 --> 00:16:11,103 Association. 681 00:16:11,103 --> 00:16:12,304 For years, the clinic 682 00:16:12,304 --> 00:16:14,239 struggled to keep physicians. 683 00:16:14,239 --> 00:16:15,441 They obtained Wiltz 684 00:16:15,441 --> 00:16:16,575 through the National Health 685 00:16:16,575 --> 00:16:17,810 Service Corps. 686 00:16:17,810 --> 00:16:19,411 The program pays tuition 687 00:16:19,411 --> 00:16:20,746 for medical students 688 00:16:20,746 --> 00:16:22,281 in return for a three year 689 00:16:22,281 --> 00:16:23,949 commitment to work in areas 690 00:16:23,949 --> 00:16:25,117 where doctors are in 691 00:16:25,117 --> 00:16:26,218 short supply. 692 00:16:26,218 --> 00:16:28,687 I tell the story that I used to 693 00:16:28,687 --> 00:16:29,922 take out my calendar, 694 00:16:31,523 --> 00:16:32,758 as my wife could attest 695 00:16:32,758 --> 00:16:34,226 to that first year, 696 00:16:34,226 --> 00:16:35,461 I couldn't wait 697 00:16:35,461 --> 00:16:36,795 to get back to New Orleans. 698 00:16:36,795 --> 00:16:37,930 But about halfway 699 00:16:37,930 --> 00:16:39,264 through his tour of duty, 700 00:16:39,264 --> 00:16:41,400 he decided to stay in Franklin 701 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:42,735 and become the full time 702 00:16:42,735 --> 00:16:44,770 medical director of the clinic. 703 00:16:44,770 --> 00:16:45,270 Today, 704 00:16:45,270 --> 00:16:47,306 he routinely turns down, offers 705 00:16:47,306 --> 00:16:48,774 to move to urban areas 706 00:16:48,774 --> 00:16:49,375 where he could 707 00:16:49,375 --> 00:16:50,843 double his salary. 708 00:16:50,843 --> 00:16:51,944 The beneficiaries 709 00:16:51,944 --> 00:16:52,778 of his decision 710 00:16:52,778 --> 00:16:53,479 are the poor 711 00:16:53,479 --> 00:16:54,747 and uninsured of Saint 712 00:16:54,747 --> 00:16:55,948 Mary Parish, 713 00:16:55,948 --> 00:16:57,416 who receive quality, low 714 00:16:57,416 --> 00:16:59,318 cost, routine medical care 715 00:16:59,318 --> 00:17:00,586 without having to travel 716 00:17:00,586 --> 00:17:02,321 40 miles to Lafayette 717 00:17:02,321 --> 00:17:03,889 to visit a large university 718 00:17:03,889 --> 00:17:04,890 medical center. 719 00:17:04,890 --> 00:17:05,691 A lot of my friends 720 00:17:05,691 --> 00:17:06,959 in New Orleans were surprised 721 00:17:06,959 --> 00:17:09,228 that I elected to stay. 722 00:17:09,228 --> 00:17:11,964 But as I mentioned 723 00:17:11,964 --> 00:17:12,765 to many people, 724 00:17:12,765 --> 00:17:14,133 if you can 725 00:17:14,133 --> 00:17:15,334 put your head down at night 726 00:17:15,334 --> 00:17:15,901 and feel good 727 00:17:15,901 --> 00:17:16,301 about what 728 00:17:16,301 --> 00:17:17,102 you've accomplished 729 00:17:17,102 --> 00:17:17,770 in those days, 730 00:17:17,770 --> 00:17:19,638 and that to me is the bottom 731 00:17:19,638 --> 00:17:20,205 line of what you're 732 00:17:20,205 --> 00:17:20,806 trying to do. 733 00:17:20,806 --> 00:17:22,641 And when you're helping people 734 00:17:22,641 --> 00:17:24,309 and the people you're serving 735 00:17:24,309 --> 00:17:25,744 are truly needy and grateful, 736 00:17:25,744 --> 00:17:26,445 I think that's 737 00:17:26,445 --> 00:17:27,780 the biggest reward 738 00:17:27,780 --> 00:17:28,814 you can get in medicine. 739 00:17:30,549 --> 00:17:31,750 The rest of the state 740 00:17:31,750 --> 00:17:33,385 is not so lucky. 741 00:17:33,385 --> 00:17:35,054 While Louisiana takes pride 742 00:17:35,054 --> 00:17:36,121 in its wide ranging 743 00:17:36,121 --> 00:17:37,956 charity hospital system, 744 00:17:37,956 --> 00:17:39,158 basic medical care, 745 00:17:39,158 --> 00:17:39,992 such as treatment 746 00:17:39,992 --> 00:17:42,394 for colds, flu, sore throat, 747 00:17:42,394 --> 00:17:44,229 routine gynecological exams 748 00:17:44,229 --> 00:17:45,130 is non-existent 749 00:17:45,130 --> 00:17:46,698 in many parts of the state. 750 00:17:46,698 --> 00:17:47,299 For people 751 00:17:47,299 --> 00:17:47,933 who don't have 752 00:17:47,933 --> 00:17:50,936 private insurance, which 753 00:17:51,537 --> 00:17:52,204 this week. 754 00:17:52,204 --> 00:17:52,971 Wiltz, along 755 00:17:52,971 --> 00:17:53,972 with a group of experts 756 00:17:53,972 --> 00:17:55,340 ranging from state officials 757 00:17:55,340 --> 00:17:57,142 to consumer groups, advocates 758 00:17:57,142 --> 00:17:58,377 joined Donna Shalala, 759 00:17:58,377 --> 00:17:59,378 secretary of the U.S. 760 00:17:59,378 --> 00:18:00,145 Department of Health 761 00:18:00,145 --> 00:18:01,513 and Human Services 762 00:18:01,513 --> 00:18:02,948 for a town meeting on health 763 00:18:02,948 --> 00:18:04,016 care reform. 764 00:18:04,016 --> 00:18:05,250 He used the opportunity 765 00:18:05,250 --> 00:18:06,385 to push the community 766 00:18:06,385 --> 00:18:07,953 health center concept. 767 00:18:07,953 --> 00:18:09,188 Community health centers, 768 00:18:09,188 --> 00:18:09,888 in my mind, 769 00:18:09,888 --> 00:18:11,023 represent to medicine 770 00:18:11,023 --> 00:18:11,423 what Head 771 00:18:11,423 --> 00:18:13,559 Start has done to education. 772 00:18:13,559 --> 00:18:14,159 We're probably 773 00:18:14,159 --> 00:18:15,227 the best kept secret 774 00:18:15,227 --> 00:18:18,230 in this country. 775 00:18:19,131 --> 00:18:20,432 We will run 776 00:18:20,432 --> 00:18:21,333 if you want to talk about 777 00:18:21,333 --> 00:18:22,634 consumer responsive, 778 00:18:22,634 --> 00:18:24,970 consumer sensitive boards. 779 00:18:24,970 --> 00:18:25,938 50% of our 780 00:18:25,938 --> 00:18:26,872 board of directors 781 00:18:26,872 --> 00:18:28,107 and we're nonprofit have to 782 00:18:28,107 --> 00:18:29,641 be consumer representatives. 783 00:18:30,742 --> 00:18:32,311 We operate 80% of 784 00:18:32,311 --> 00:18:33,745 the people that I treat. 785 00:18:33,745 --> 00:18:34,713 80% of the people 786 00:18:34,713 --> 00:18:37,316 that we see are uninsured 787 00:18:37,316 --> 00:18:38,784 and they're not welfare people. 788 00:18:38,784 --> 00:18:40,619 They're working people. 789 00:18:40,619 --> 00:18:41,186 A lot of them 790 00:18:41,186 --> 00:18:41,987 are schoolteachers. 791 00:18:41,987 --> 00:18:42,955 A lot of them are middle 792 00:18:42,955 --> 00:18:44,790 class people who cannot afford 793 00:18:44,790 --> 00:18:46,091 health insurance. 794 00:18:46,091 --> 00:18:46,758 They can afford 795 00:18:46,758 --> 00:18:48,393 maybe two or $300 a month, 796 00:18:48,393 --> 00:18:49,261 but they can't afford 797 00:18:49,261 --> 00:18:51,196 $500 a month premiums. 798 00:18:51,196 --> 00:18:51,864 So what they do 799 00:18:51,864 --> 00:18:53,599 is they choose to go without. 800 00:18:53,599 --> 00:18:54,333 The result 801 00:18:54,333 --> 00:18:55,667 is that large numbers 802 00:18:55,667 --> 00:18:56,135 of the state's 803 00:18:56,135 --> 00:18:57,903 citizens depend on charity 804 00:18:57,903 --> 00:19:00,072 hospitals for the routine care 805 00:19:00,072 --> 00:19:01,340 that is usually provided 806 00:19:01,340 --> 00:19:02,407 in a private doctor's 807 00:19:02,407 --> 00:19:03,942 office or clinic. 808 00:19:03,942 --> 00:19:05,177 That means they must 809 00:19:05,177 --> 00:19:05,944 often travel 810 00:19:05,944 --> 00:19:07,713 many miles to one of the state's 811 00:19:07,713 --> 00:19:09,715 nine charity institutions. 812 00:19:09,715 --> 00:19:11,016 And when they get there, 813 00:19:11,016 --> 00:19:11,850 long waits 814 00:19:11,850 --> 00:19:13,519 or the order of the day. 815 00:19:13,519 --> 00:19:15,187 It is not unusual for patients 816 00:19:15,187 --> 00:19:17,256 to sit unattended for 10 hours 817 00:19:17,256 --> 00:19:19,091 before seeing a doctor. 818 00:19:19,091 --> 00:19:19,858 Rose Forrest, 819 00:19:19,858 --> 00:19:20,926 secretary of Department 820 00:19:20,926 --> 00:19:22,561 of Health and Hospitals knows, 821 00:19:22,561 --> 00:19:24,029 the system is inefficient. 822 00:19:24,029 --> 00:19:25,097 Do you know that 823 00:19:25,097 --> 00:19:26,498 we need 824 00:19:26,498 --> 00:19:28,867 health care reform in Louisiana? 825 00:19:30,302 --> 00:19:30,969 We believe 826 00:19:30,969 --> 00:19:32,004 that we too 827 00:19:32,004 --> 00:19:35,007 are in crisis in Louisiana. 828 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:35,607 We know 829 00:19:35,607 --> 00:19:37,009 also that 830 00:19:37,009 --> 00:19:39,778 we are a charitable state. 831 00:19:39,778 --> 00:19:41,313 We run a system of 832 00:19:41,313 --> 00:19:43,081 charity hospitals 833 00:19:43,081 --> 00:19:44,249 that have been 834 00:19:44,249 --> 00:19:46,018 all things to all people. 835 00:19:46,018 --> 00:19:47,586 I try to be all things 836 00:19:47,586 --> 00:19:48,587 for all people 837 00:19:48,587 --> 00:19:50,022 all of these years. 838 00:19:50,022 --> 00:19:50,656 But clearly, 839 00:19:50,656 --> 00:19:52,291 we also know that 840 00:19:52,291 --> 00:19:53,792 that system is broken. 841 00:19:53,792 --> 00:19:55,093 And like most of the rest 842 00:19:55,093 --> 00:19:56,762 of the systems. 843 00:19:56,762 --> 00:19:57,729 Well, President Clinton's 844 00:19:57,729 --> 00:19:59,131 health care plan promises 845 00:19:59,131 --> 00:20:00,299 to offer some relief 846 00:20:00,299 --> 00:20:01,867 by providing universal coverage 847 00:20:01,867 --> 00:20:03,302 for all citizens. 848 00:20:03,302 --> 00:20:04,269 Not everyone agrees 849 00:20:04,269 --> 00:20:04,903 the government 850 00:20:04,903 --> 00:20:05,804 should be involved 851 00:20:05,804 --> 00:20:07,005 in the business of health 852 00:20:07,005 --> 00:20:09,374 care, liberty 853 00:20:09,374 --> 00:20:11,009 and organized business. 854 00:20:11,009 --> 00:20:11,877 And this includes, 855 00:20:11,877 --> 00:20:12,578 for the most part, 856 00:20:12,578 --> 00:20:13,912 the National Federation 857 00:20:13,912 --> 00:20:15,380 of Business 858 00:20:15,380 --> 00:20:16,215 believes that we need 859 00:20:16,215 --> 00:20:16,949 to have 860 00:20:16,949 --> 00:20:19,751 market based health care reform, 861 00:20:19,751 --> 00:20:22,354 not business taxes, 862 00:20:22,354 --> 00:20:24,289 not business mandates. 863 00:20:24,289 --> 00:20:25,891 Voluntary purchasing. 864 00:20:29,595 --> 00:20:30,395 There's a lot that's 865 00:20:30,395 --> 00:20:32,164 right with the system. 866 00:20:32,164 --> 00:20:33,265 Competition works 867 00:20:33,265 --> 00:20:34,132 every place else. 868 00:20:34,132 --> 00:20:36,902 Competition can be made to work. 869 00:20:36,902 --> 00:20:39,705 And this context, 870 00:20:39,705 --> 00:20:40,205 that's where 871 00:20:40,205 --> 00:20:41,807 the focus ought to be. 872 00:20:41,807 --> 00:20:42,874 Marcus Carson 873 00:20:42,874 --> 00:20:43,709 with the Louisiana 874 00:20:43,709 --> 00:20:44,743 Health Care Campaign 875 00:20:44,743 --> 00:20:46,345 says the American health care 876 00:20:46,345 --> 00:20:48,580 system is simply not working. 877 00:20:48,580 --> 00:20:49,448 We pay roughly 878 00:20:49,448 --> 00:20:51,550 $100 billion today 879 00:20:51,550 --> 00:20:52,784 to support a private health 880 00:20:52,784 --> 00:20:54,052 insurance bureaucracy 881 00:20:54,052 --> 00:20:54,820 that makes government 882 00:20:54,820 --> 00:20:56,221 look efficient. 883 00:20:56,221 --> 00:20:57,756 It not only drives up 884 00:20:57,756 --> 00:20:59,791 health care costs. 885 00:20:59,791 --> 00:21:02,461 Thank you. 886 00:21:02,461 --> 00:21:04,162 Not only does it drive up cost 887 00:21:04,162 --> 00:21:05,230 and deny 888 00:21:05,230 --> 00:21:06,164 people health insurance, 889 00:21:06,164 --> 00:21:07,933 but also rationed your care. 890 00:21:07,933 --> 00:21:08,700 And both doctors 891 00:21:08,700 --> 00:21:09,268 and patients 892 00:21:09,268 --> 00:21:11,003 are increasingly frustrated 893 00:21:11,003 --> 00:21:11,770 with the private 894 00:21:11,770 --> 00:21:12,771 insurance bureaucrats 895 00:21:12,771 --> 00:21:13,672 who intervene between 896 00:21:13,672 --> 00:21:14,573 doctor and patient 897 00:21:14,573 --> 00:21:15,240 and interfere 898 00:21:15,240 --> 00:21:18,210 with medical treatment. 899 00:21:18,910 --> 00:21:20,045 And we have eight more minutes. 900 00:21:20,045 --> 00:21:20,646 So we're going to get to 901 00:21:20,646 --> 00:21:21,913 as many questions as possible. 902 00:21:21,913 --> 00:21:22,948 Yes, I will try to give 903 00:21:22,948 --> 00:21:23,649 shorter answers. 904 00:21:23,649 --> 00:21:24,516 I'll be fast, actually. 905 00:21:24,516 --> 00:21:25,284 I'll give you a break. 906 00:21:25,284 --> 00:21:26,218 I'd like to direct 907 00:21:26,218 --> 00:21:27,819 my question to Mr. Frost. 908 00:21:27,819 --> 00:21:29,421 My name is Leslie Leininger, 909 00:21:29,421 --> 00:21:30,722 and I would like to know why 910 00:21:30,722 --> 00:21:31,390 the businesses 911 00:21:31,390 --> 00:21:32,557 that you represent 912 00:21:32,557 --> 00:21:34,526 are supporting, By and large, 913 00:21:34,526 --> 00:21:35,460 the current system, 914 00:21:35,460 --> 00:21:36,028 like a system 915 00:21:36,028 --> 00:21:37,863 in which it costs $750 916 00:21:37,863 --> 00:21:39,564 to build a car in America 917 00:21:39,564 --> 00:21:40,165 because of the health 918 00:21:40,165 --> 00:21:40,832 costs built 919 00:21:40,832 --> 00:21:43,201 in, as opposed to 250 in Canada. 920 00:21:43,201 --> 00:21:44,803 And my second question is 921 00:21:44,803 --> 00:21:46,638 why does your group seem 922 00:21:46,638 --> 00:21:47,306 to be opposed to 923 00:21:47,306 --> 00:21:49,241 comprehensive health coverage? 924 00:21:49,241 --> 00:21:50,275 Well, because 925 00:21:51,643 --> 00:21:52,944 not to sound like the gentleman 926 00:21:52,944 --> 00:21:53,211 who kept 927 00:21:53,211 --> 00:21:54,579 referring to the Constitution. 928 00:21:54,579 --> 00:21:56,515 It is still a free country. 929 00:21:56,515 --> 00:21:57,849 And if Wal-Mart chooses 930 00:21:57,849 --> 00:21:59,551 not to provide 931 00:21:59,551 --> 00:22:00,485 health insurance 932 00:22:00,485 --> 00:22:01,920 to its employees, 933 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:03,155 then the people in this room 934 00:22:03,155 --> 00:22:03,889 are free 935 00:22:03,889 --> 00:22:06,158 not to shop at Wal-Mart. 936 00:22:06,158 --> 00:22:07,326 The employees are free 937 00:22:07,326 --> 00:22:08,560 not to work at Wal-Mart 938 00:22:08,560 --> 00:22:10,062 or to organize. 939 00:22:10,062 --> 00:22:11,463 There are still avenues 940 00:22:11,463 --> 00:22:13,031 for people out there 941 00:22:13,031 --> 00:22:15,400 to make decisions 942 00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:16,835 that affect their own lives 943 00:22:16,835 --> 00:22:18,403 and to take responsibility 944 00:22:18,403 --> 00:22:20,372 for those decisions. 945 00:22:20,372 --> 00:22:23,375 Our members, by and large, 946 00:22:23,375 --> 00:22:25,444 will make the right decision 947 00:22:25,444 --> 00:22:26,712 given the freedom 948 00:22:26,712 --> 00:22:28,947 and the opportunity to do that. 949 00:22:28,947 --> 00:22:31,016 Our goal in this process 950 00:22:31,016 --> 00:22:32,017 is to make sure 951 00:22:32,017 --> 00:22:33,118 that those freedoms 952 00:22:33,118 --> 00:22:34,553 and opportunities 953 00:22:34,553 --> 00:22:36,888 aren't artificially directed 954 00:22:36,888 --> 00:22:37,856 and restricted 955 00:22:37,856 --> 00:22:39,524 by government programs. 956 00:22:39,524 --> 00:22:40,492 But frankly, 957 00:22:40,492 --> 00:22:41,626 as I pointed out earlier, 958 00:22:41,626 --> 00:22:42,527 if you look at government, 959 00:22:42,527 --> 00:22:43,362 their track record 960 00:22:43,362 --> 00:22:45,263 is worse than ours. 961 00:22:45,263 --> 00:22:46,798 And there's no evidence 962 00:22:46,798 --> 00:22:47,566 that they can do it 963 00:22:47,566 --> 00:22:49,167 better than we can. And 964 00:22:51,336 --> 00:22:52,270 Mr.. 965 00:22:52,270 --> 00:22:52,604 Mr.. 966 00:22:52,604 --> 00:22:53,739 Frost, could I make 967 00:22:53,739 --> 00:22:54,539 two comments 968 00:22:54,539 --> 00:22:56,041 on your comment first? 969 00:22:56,041 --> 00:22:57,743 If Wal-Mart chooses 970 00:22:57,743 --> 00:23:00,312 not to provide health coverage 971 00:23:00,312 --> 00:23:01,413 for its employees, 972 00:23:01,413 --> 00:23:02,881 the rest of us pay. 973 00:23:02,881 --> 00:23:04,182 That's the point. 974 00:23:04,182 --> 00:23:05,283 There is a mandate 975 00:23:05,283 --> 00:23:07,252 in this country. 976 00:23:07,252 --> 00:23:08,286 There is a mandate 977 00:23:08,286 --> 00:23:09,054 in this country. 978 00:23:09,054 --> 00:23:09,788 And that is that 979 00:23:09,788 --> 00:23:10,522 anyone that walks 980 00:23:10,522 --> 00:23:11,790 into an emergency room 981 00:23:11,790 --> 00:23:12,691 in this country 982 00:23:12,691 --> 00:23:14,526 has to get taken care of 983 00:23:14,526 --> 00:23:16,294 so the rest of us pay 984 00:23:16,294 --> 00:23:18,730 when part of the community 985 00:23:18,730 --> 00:23:20,532 doesn't cover their employees. 986 00:23:20,532 --> 00:23:20,832 Second, 987 00:23:20,832 --> 00:23:22,200 I really don't understand 988 00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:22,868 why it isn't 989 00:23:22,868 --> 00:23:23,535 in the interest 990 00:23:23,535 --> 00:23:25,003 of American business. 991 00:23:25,003 --> 00:23:25,871 And the businessmen 992 00:23:25,871 --> 00:23:26,671 I know believe 993 00:23:26,671 --> 00:23:27,939 it's in their interest 994 00:23:27,939 --> 00:23:28,807 to slow down 995 00:23:28,807 --> 00:23:30,409 the growth of health costs. 996 00:23:30,409 --> 00:23:31,343 It's been called 997 00:23:31,343 --> 00:23:32,878 the last great social policy 998 00:23:32,878 --> 00:23:34,679 debate of the century 999 00:23:34,679 --> 00:23:36,181 since the mid 1940s, 1000 00:23:36,181 --> 00:23:37,149 when Harry Truman 1001 00:23:37,149 --> 00:23:38,116 proposed a system 1002 00:23:38,116 --> 00:23:39,618 for national coverage. 1003 00:23:39,618 --> 00:23:41,052 Health care has been an issue 1004 00:23:41,052 --> 00:23:42,220 of varying importance 1005 00:23:42,220 --> 00:23:44,222 in 11 administrations. 1006 00:23:44,222 --> 00:23:45,357 This administration 1007 00:23:45,357 --> 00:23:47,159 has made it a top priority, 1008 00:23:47,159 --> 00:23:48,193 and it doesn't intend 1009 00:23:48,193 --> 00:23:49,928 to let special interest groups 1010 00:23:49,928 --> 00:23:51,363 slow down the debate 1011 00:23:53,165 --> 00:23:54,966 that's going along. 1012 00:23:54,966 --> 00:23:55,801 Finally this evening, 1013 00:23:55,801 --> 00:23:56,568 we want to tell you 1014 00:23:56,568 --> 00:23:57,602 about a contest 1015 00:23:57,602 --> 00:23:58,069 to find 1016 00:23:58,069 --> 00:23:59,638 the best geography 1017 00:23:59,638 --> 00:24:02,340 students in Louisiana. 1018 00:24:02,340 --> 00:24:03,241 What is Spain's 1019 00:24:03,241 --> 00:24:04,576 cheap industrial city 1020 00:24:04,576 --> 00:24:06,678 along the French border? 1021 00:24:06,678 --> 00:24:07,512 Well, for these four 1022 00:24:07,512 --> 00:24:08,680 through eighth graders, 1023 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:09,714 the nail biting 1024 00:24:09,714 --> 00:24:11,116 and the waiting for an easier 1025 00:24:11,116 --> 00:24:13,485 question lasted all day. 1026 00:24:13,485 --> 00:24:14,853 103 finalists 1027 00:24:14,853 --> 00:24:16,488 met at LSU for this, 1028 00:24:16,488 --> 00:24:18,390 the sixth annual Geography 1029 00:24:18,390 --> 00:24:21,393 bee. 1030 00:24:23,395 --> 00:24:24,362 It was the birthplace 1031 00:24:24,362 --> 00:24:25,430 of Dixieland jazz 1032 00:24:25,430 --> 00:24:26,431 and more recently, a 1033 00:24:26,431 --> 00:24:28,400 zydeco music geography. 1034 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:29,501 Education has moved 1035 00:24:29,501 --> 00:24:30,969 into high gear with programs 1036 00:24:30,969 --> 00:24:31,803 like we're in 1037 00:24:31,803 --> 00:24:33,972 the World is Carmen San Diego. 1038 00:24:33,972 --> 00:24:34,706 Last year's 1039 00:24:34,706 --> 00:24:35,907 national representative 1040 00:24:35,907 --> 00:24:38,043 from Louisiana was Ralph Kerry. 1041 00:24:38,043 --> 00:24:39,511 Ever since I looked at the first 1042 00:24:39,511 --> 00:24:40,779 map, Louisiana, 1043 00:24:40,779 --> 00:24:42,781 I trace that map over and over 1044 00:24:42,781 --> 00:24:43,982 and over and all, like, 1045 00:24:43,982 --> 00:24:46,051 all my notebooks and stuff. 1046 00:24:46,051 --> 00:24:48,553 And and every time I would see 1047 00:24:48,553 --> 00:24:49,254 a different map, 1048 00:24:49,254 --> 00:24:50,889 I would trace it over and over 1049 00:24:50,889 --> 00:24:52,324 in our finger like, 1050 00:24:52,324 --> 00:24:52,791 Hey, look, 1051 00:24:52,791 --> 00:24:53,992 the city of living gray. 1052 00:24:53,992 --> 00:24:55,794 I wonder what Leningrad is like. 1053 00:24:55,794 --> 00:24:57,329 I look up and encyclopedia. 1054 00:24:57,329 --> 00:24:58,597 What Leningrad looked like. 1055 00:24:58,597 --> 00:24:59,764 And I imagined myself 1056 00:24:59,764 --> 00:25:00,932 being there. 1057 00:25:00,932 --> 00:25:03,168 So the answer is, I mean, 1058 00:25:04,936 --> 00:25:05,537 these are the best 1059 00:25:05,537 --> 00:25:06,605 geography students 1060 00:25:06,605 --> 00:25:08,373 from more than 400 schools 1061 00:25:08,373 --> 00:25:09,608 in Louisiana. 1062 00:25:09,608 --> 00:25:11,042 They compete for a chance 1063 00:25:11,042 --> 00:25:12,944 to go to Washington, D.C., 1064 00:25:12,944 --> 00:25:14,012 and participate 1065 00:25:14,012 --> 00:25:15,347 in the national bee. 1066 00:25:15,347 --> 00:25:16,047 Plus, 1067 00:25:16,047 --> 00:25:17,215 just like the Carmen 1068 00:25:17,215 --> 00:25:18,650 San Diego game show, 1069 00:25:18,650 --> 00:25:21,453 the prizes are real. 1070 00:25:21,453 --> 00:25:22,587 Thousands of dollars 1071 00:25:22,587 --> 00:25:23,955 for college. 1072 00:25:23,955 --> 00:25:24,856 Congratulations 1073 00:25:24,856 --> 00:25:26,725 to all of our winning students, 1074 00:25:26,725 --> 00:25:28,226 as well as to all of those 1075 00:25:28,226 --> 00:25:30,862 who gave it a great transfer. 1076 00:25:30,862 --> 00:25:31,229 By the way, 1077 00:25:31,229 --> 00:25:32,330 the winner of this year's 1078 00:25:32,330 --> 00:25:34,432 state round is Michael Bobo, 1079 00:25:34,432 --> 00:25:36,601 an eighth grader at Vernon Hanes 1080 00:25:36,601 --> 00:25:39,070 Middle School in Metairie. 1081 00:25:39,070 --> 00:25:40,105 Well, that is our program 1082 00:25:40,105 --> 00:25:40,772 for this evening. 1083 00:25:40,772 --> 00:25:41,473 Our story 1084 00:25:41,473 --> 00:25:42,407 on flooding along 1085 00:25:42,407 --> 00:25:42,874 the Amite 1086 00:25:42,874 --> 00:25:43,975 River will be seen 1087 00:25:43,975 --> 00:25:45,210 at a later date. 1088 00:25:45,210 --> 00:25:46,478 We invite you to join us again 1089 00:25:46,478 --> 00:25:47,178 next week 1090 00:25:47,178 --> 00:25:48,280 when we will continue 1091 00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:49,981 to preview upcoming issues 1092 00:25:49,981 --> 00:25:51,783 in the legislative session, 1093 00:25:51,783 --> 00:25:53,485 as well as the special session 1094 00:25:53,485 --> 00:25:54,753 that's just been called 1095 00:25:54,753 --> 00:25:56,655 for the week of the 17th. 1096 00:25:56,655 --> 00:25:57,589 Until then. 1097 00:25:57,589 --> 00:25:58,690 That's the state we're in. 1098 00:26:31,656 --> 00:26:32,624 Production funding for 1099 00:26:32,624 --> 00:26:33,825 this program is provided 1100 00:26:33,825 --> 00:26:34,626 by the Fred B. 1101 00:26:34,626 --> 00:26:36,261 and B. Zigler Foundation 1102 00:26:36,261 --> 00:26:37,996 of Jennings, Louisiana. 1103 00:26:37,996 --> 00:26:39,598 Visit the Zigler Museum Tuesday 1104 00:26:39,598 --> 00:26:41,399 through Saturday from 9 to 5 1105 00:26:41,399 --> 00:26:42,000 and Sunday 1106 00:26:42,000 --> 00:26:43,268 from 1 to 5, 1107 00:26:43,268 --> 00:26:43,702 featuring 1108 00:26:43,702 --> 00:26:44,603 a distinctive collection 1109 00:26:44,603 --> 00:26:45,236 of European 1110 00:26:45,236 --> 00:26:46,137 and American fine 1111 00:26:46,137 --> 00:26:48,340 art and wildlife dioramas 1112 00:26:48,340 --> 00:26:49,541 and by the Louisiana 1113 00:26:49,541 --> 00:26:51,509 Trial Lawyers Association. 1114 00:26:51,509 --> 00:26:52,611 LTLA members 1115 00:26:52,611 --> 00:26:53,511 work for consumers 1116 00:26:53,511 --> 00:26:54,613 rights, workplace 1117 00:26:54,613 --> 00:26:56,281 safety and for equal and fair 1118 00:26:56,281 --> 00:26:57,515 representation before 1119 00:26:57,515 --> 00:26:58,350 a court of law.