LaPolitics Report

Like every episode, No. 61 opens with an audio blast from the past in the form of a 1935 Universal Newsreel on a topic near and dear to Louisiana politics. After weighing in on our regular history feature, Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Chairman Franklin Foil dives into a winding interview that culminates with news on the proposed constitutional convention. A member of Gov. Jeff Landry’s constitutional transition council, Foil talks about the enabling legislation, delegate format, article specifics and the required ratification vote. Foil also touches on the ongoing regular session, next year’s fiscal session and his personal path to public service through the U.S. Navy.

Recorded in January 2017, this show from the LaPolitics archives (episode 17 from season one) featured E.L. "Bubba" Henry, the former House speaker and Young Turks member who chaired the 1973 Constitutional Convention in Louisiana. Bubba discussed what life was like on the House floor during the late 1960s and 1970s, and he shared what he learned from running for governor. Does Louisiana need another constitutional convention? What was it really like to be commissioner of administration? Bubba dished on all of this, and much more. Plus, this episode kicked off with a blast-from-the-past audio clip from another Young Turk, the late John Hainkel (a former House speaker and Senate president), whose words helped frame this lively episode.

[Editor's note: This episode was recorded prior to the release of "The Last Constitution," and actually served as the inspiration for the book to come.]

The tax breaks enjoyed by business and industry will once again be under review by lawmakers soon, House Ways and Means Chairwoman Julie Emerson said on the latest episode of the LaPolitics Report podcast. She also discusses where her family tree intersects with public service and offers an overview of the next two year’s worth of regular sessions. Plus, we dive into the special connection shared between a legendary blues artist and a Louisiana governor!

Recorded in November 2016, during his first term, former Gov. John Bel Edwards reflected on a gubernatorial hunting trip that ended with him taking an elk from 260 yards away in the snow, from one edge of a canyon to another. Edwards also discussed structural budget challenges and the difficulty of getting Republicans to support taxes. Plus, this episode opens with a history feature focusing on late U.S. Sen. Russell Long, who explains in his own voice why the definition of "a statesman is a dead politician."

To kickoff season five of The LaPolitics Report podcast, Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson dives into his background in the intelligence community and explains what it was like to be struck by lightening. In between, Nelson also uses this special relaunch episode to adjust odds on the income tax elimination effort and outline the top policy proposals to watch in next year's fiscal session. This episode was underwritten by Advantous Consulting and Louisiana Farm Bureau.

Recorded in March 2017, this episode of The LaPolitics Report podcast featured late Gov. Edwin Edwards, who enjoyed one of the longest terms of any American governor. He discussed everything from gambling and romance to his past elections and biggest fears. (Make sure you listen for that at the end of the interview.) Other topics included lessons learned from a life in politics, thoughts about his time in federal prison and reflections on books that have been written about his career.