Changes

In 1981, Long opposed the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]] tax cuts, citing two objections: (1) The major tax relief rested with families earning more than $50,000 annually, (2) The tax cuts could lead to "staggering deficits." However, forty-eight House Democrats provided the margin of victory for the tax cuts, which Republicans thereafter cited as the centerpiece of the revitalization of a dormant economy.<ref>Margie Dale and Vicky Harris, "Pro and Con of Tax Cut: [[Buddy Roemer]] vs. [[Gillis Long]]," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' July 31, 1981, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1981, Long opposed the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]] tax cuts, citing two objections: (1) The major tax relief rested with families earning more than $50,000 annually, (2) The tax cuts could lead to "staggering deficits." However, forty-eight House Democrats provided the margin of victory for the tax cuts, which Republicans thereafter cited as the centerpiece of the revitalization of a dormant economy.<ref>Margie Dale and Vicky Harris, "Pro and Con of Tax Cut: [[Buddy Roemer]] vs. [[Gillis Long]]," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' July 31, 1981, p. 1.</ref>​

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In 1982, Long defeated Democratic State Senator Edward Gordon "Ned" Randolph, Jr. (1942-2016), of Alexandria, with 71,103 ballots (59.6 percent) to Randolph's 46,656 (39.1 percent). After the 1982 election, Long expected to become the new chairman of the [[House Rules Committee]]; however, [[Claude Pepper]] of [[Florida]] pulled rank and took that chairmanship.<ref>"Congressmen lose bids for power," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 22, 1982, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1982, Long defeated Democratic State Senator Edward Gordon "Ned" Randolph, Jr. (1942-2016), of Alexandria, with 71,103 ballots (59.6 percent) to 46,656 (39.1 percent). After the 1982 election, Long expected to become the new chairman of the House Rules Committee; however, [[Claude Pepper]] of [[Florida]] pulled rank and took that chairmanship.<ref>"Congressmen lose bids for power," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 22, 1982, p. 1.</ref>​

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In 1984, in what was his last election, Long defeated the Republican Kilyun Darrell Williamson (1945-2013), a native of [[Mississippi]], a  member of the Rapides Parish Police Jury from 1980 to 1982, the chairman of the Red River Waterway Commission and the Sabine River Authority, and from 1987 to 1993 the chief financial officer of the City of Alexandria and the municipal public works director. Williamson continued as public works director from 1993 to 2003 as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thetowntalk/obituary.aspx?n=kilyun-darrell-williamson&pid=166651753&fhid=6588#fbLoggedOut|title=Kilyun Darrell Williamson|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|accessdate=August 28, 2013}}</ref> Long polled 116,141 votes (80 percent) to Williamson's 32,780 (20 percent). Years later in 2005, then Mayor Ned Randolph, Long's previous political opponent, asked Williamson to resign without explanation after two years of service as the director of Alexandria Planning & Economic Development Department. Randolph fired two other city officials, Harold Chambers and Sonny Craig; both joined with Williamson to file suit, and each collected a $25,000 settlement. Randolph issued a statement saying that all three had done nothing wrong and even wrote letters of recommendation on behalf of each man. In his last years, Williamson was project manager for the Alexandria engineering firm, Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix & Hixson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20130829/NEWS01/308290016/Darrell-Williamson-remembered-get-things-done-person|title=Darrell Williamson remembered as a 'get things done' person, August 29, 2013|publisher=''The Town Talk''|accessdate=August 29, 2013}}</ref>​

In 1984, in what was his last election, Long defeated the Republican Kilyun Darrell Williamson (1945-2013), a native of [[Mississippi]], a  member of the Rapides Parish Police Jury from 1980 to 1982, the chairman of the Red River Waterway Commission and the Sabine River Authority, and from 1987 to 1993 the chief financial officer of the City of Alexandria and the municipal public works director. Williamson continued as public works director from 1993 to 2003 as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thetowntalk/obituary.aspx?n=kilyun-darrell-williamson&pid=166651753&fhid=6588#fbLoggedOut|title=Kilyun Darrell Williamson|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|accessdate=August 28, 2013}}</ref> Long polled 116,141 votes (80 percent) to Williamson's 32,780 (20 percent). Years later in 2005, then Mayor Ned Randolph, Long's previous political opponent, asked Williamson to resign without explanation after two years of service as the director of Alexandria Planning & Economic Development Department. Randolph fired two other city officials, Harold Chambers and Sonny Craig; both joined with Williamson to file suit, and each collected a $25,000 settlement. Randolph issued a statement saying that all three had done nothing wrong and even wrote letters of recommendation on behalf of each man. In his last years, Williamson was project manager for the Alexandria engineering firm, Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix & Hixson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20130829/NEWS01/308290016/Darrell-Williamson-remembered-get-things-done-person|title=Darrell Williamson remembered as a 'get things done' person, August 29, 2013|publisher=''The Town Talk''|accessdate=August 29, 2013}}</ref>​