Chapter 13: Our State Government

Themes:• Government for All People; Articles of

Confederation (pp. 336-337)• The Constitution; The Bill of Rights (pp.

338-339)• Checks and Balances; Branches of

Government (pp. 340-341)• Political Parties (pp. 342-343) • A State Constitution (pp. 344-349) • Louisiana Government-Executive,

Legislative, Judicial (pp. 344-349)

Themes:• Local Government (pp. 349-351)• Being a Good Citizen (pp. 352-353)• Chapter Review (pp. 354-355)

I. Government for All People• Governments maintain order, provide protection, and

promote economic growth. • Ancient Greeks developed a democracy-a system in

which every citizen votes, and decisions are made by majority rule.

• During the Middle Ages, England and France created monarchies-where one person, usually a king or queen, rules and makes all the important decisions.

• Oligarchies-only a few powerful people ruled• Dictatorship-one person has complete control over the

government

GLEs: 40

A. The Federal Government• The US adopted a federal republic-government is divided between

federal, state, and local government. • Voters vote for representatives, and decisions are made by a

majority rule of the representatives voters have chosen. • Our nation’s government is a single body called the federal

government. • Purpose is to carry out functions that are too much for local

government. • It establishes uniform rules and regulations to keep society and the

economy running. • Regulates interstate trade• Federal government establishes laws that affect every state

II. Articles of Confederation• First federal government was based on the

Articles of Confederation. • Founding fathers were afraid of government

becoming too strong like England. • States had most of the power• Because the federal government was too weak

to maintain control, states were competing rather than working together.

• This caused economic problems, and it was feared the nation would collapse if something wasn’t done.

The Articles of Confederation

III. The Constitution of the United States

GLEs: 18, 19, 39, 40

A. The Constitutional Convention• 1787, 55 delegates representing 12

states met in Pennsylvania.• Determined the Articles of Confederation

were too weak • Madison truly understood politics and

philosophy—Became known as the “Father of the Constitution”.

• He incorporated many of these ideas into the new Constitution.

The U.S. Constitutional Convention

B. A New Constitution • Was stronger than the Articles of Confederation. • The English government was a monarch where kings

had absolute power and believed God placed them on the throne.

• Leaders wanted the new Constitution to create a government that could maintain order and protect people, but not be oppressive.

• They felt power must be based on the consent of the people, who had the right to change the government.

• The framers also felt government should be based on law and operate within the limits of the Constitution.

The U.S. Constitution

IV. Bill of Rights • Four states refused to ratify the new Constitution

because it didn’t specifically guarantee basic freedoms, such as speech and religion.

• The framers of the Constitution agreed, added ten amendments to the Constitution, and called them the Bill of Rights.

• Other countries have modeled their constitutions on ours for many reasons.

• It is strong yet flexible. • Power resides with the people. • Due to its design, the Constitution has allowed our

country to survive many challenging times, political crisis, economic upheaval, social change, and war.

The Preamble (Read more about it on page 338)

• Opening paragraph of the U.S. Constitution

• States goals of the Constitution

V. Checks and Balances• Means power is spread amongst the

different branches of government so no one branch becomes too powerful or abusive.

• Created 3 branches of government—Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

GLEs: 18, 20, 21, 28, 29, 31, 34, 35

VI. Branches of Government

A. Executive• The president is the commander-in-chief of the

military. • He or she nominates federal judges and

ambassadors, proposes a budget, signs bills into law, and make domestic and foreign policy for the nation.

• The president also appoints cabinet members who advise and lead their respective departments.

• The vice president presides over the Senate and assumes the office of president if the he or she dies or is unable to fulfill official duties.

B. Legislative• Congress, which includes the Senate and the House of

Representatives, is responsible for passing laws and taxes.

• 100 US senators and 435 House of Representatives • Members of Congress and senators serve on

committees, attend fact-finding hearings, and participate in debates.

• The members have the power to declare war and impeach federal judges or the president.

• The Senate has to ratify treaties with foreign nations and approve presidential nominations.

C. Judicial• Includes the Supreme Court and the federal court

system. • Judges who hold their positions for life are nominated

by the president and approved by the Senate. • They pass judgment on matters of law and settle

disputes between the executive and legislative branches.

• They decide if laws passed by Congress are constitutionally legal.

• People can appeal state court decisions to the federal court.

**The Electoral College (Read more about it on page 340)• Our founding fathers were worried people would choose a candidate

based on emotion, not the person’s qualifications, so the Electoral College system was created.

• Those chosen to be electors were supposed to be the smartest and most respected citizens, people who could wisely choose the best person for president.

• Each state had a number of electors equal to the number of senators and representatives from their state.

• Today political parties select their electors. • When we vote for a presidential candidate, we are actually voting for

the candidate’s electors. • It is possible for a candidate to win the popular vote in the United

States, but not get enough votes in the Electoral College to become president.

Taxes (Read more about it on page 341)

• Federal and state government can impose an income tax.• Parish and local government can impose property taxes• All parts of the government rely on taxes to fund government

programs and activities

VII. Political Parties• A political party is a group of people who

share a lot of the same ideas about government.

• The work together to get candidates with the same beliefs elected to office.

GLEs: 36

Political Party Symbols

A. A Two-Party System1. US has usually had two political parties2. Since 1850s, these two parties have been the

Democrats and Republicans 3. The Democratic Party is considered more

liberal and more representative of the working class

• Supports a large government

4.The Republican Party is considered more conservative

• Supported by business interest and industry• Believe government has become too large

VIII. Louisiana’s State Government

• The state has three branches of government with checks and balances to keep the power of each separate and in control.

• The state government’s power is limited

GLEs: 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 31, 39, 40, 41

A. A State Constitution • Our basic form of government was created

by the Constitution of 1812.• All La. Constitutions are modeled after the

U.S. Constitution. • Basic rights such as trial by jury, freedom of

religion, and the right to bear arms are guaranteed by the state’s constitution.

Our State Seal (Read more on page 343)

IX. Executive Branch

A. The Governor1. Must by 25 years old and a citizen of the state

and country for at least five years. 2. He or she is elected to a four-year term, with a

limit of two terms in office. 3. The governor manages the state government.

• Enforces laws passed by the legislature• Submits a state budget• Signs bills into law or vetoes them• Calls out the Louisiana National Guard • Appoints several state positions• Make reports and recommendations to the legislature• Pardons or commutes the sentences of convicts

B. The Lieutenant Governor1. Is elected every four years

2. Supervises• The Department of Culture, Recreation, and

Tourism • Replaces the governor if he or she is unable to

finish a term• Acts in the place of the governor if he or she is

out of state

C. Departments in the Executive Branch1. Are supervised by secretaries and

commissioners• Some are appointed by the Governor• Others are elected by the state’s voters.

Executive Branch Positions (Chart on page 344)

X. Legislative Branch

A. Representation1. Louisiana has 105 representatives and 39

senatorial districts2. Representation is based on population 3. Districts are redrawn when population shifts

take place4. Requirements

– Candidates must be at least 18– Heave lived in the state for two years– Have lived in their districts for one year– Can serve no more than three consecutive four-year

terms

B. Role of the State Legislature • Speaker of the house presides over the

House of Representatives

• Senate president presides over the senate

• Legislature meeting once a year for a specific period of time

• Special sessions are called if both houses agree

• Work in committees

C. How a Bill Becomes a Law in Louisiana 1. Bills are proposed by a representative or a senator 2. Read aloud by introducing house3. Referred to a committee4. Committee holds a public hearing and can be amended (changed)5. If approved, it is sent to introducing house where it is debated and voted on

—It can be amended. 6. Sent to other house and is debated and voted on—if agreed upon ….7. Goes to the governor (Veto or Sign into law)8. Bills that have been changed, or on which the house and senate disagree,

can go to a conference committee where members from both houses seek a compromise.

9. After both houses accept it, the bill goes to the governor (see above).10. If governor vetoes the bill, it goes back to the house and senate where a

two-thirds majority vote in both houses is necessary to override the veto.

**Lobbyists (Read more about it on page 347)

• Work for large corporations or special interest groups to provide information about proposed bills and to persuade members of the legislature to support their interests

**Reform Measures (Read more about it on page 347)

XI. Judicial Branch

Courthouse in Homer

A. Justices of the Peace1. Local elected judicial officials who serve

parts of cities or parishes • Can perform marriages and try minor cases• Nearly 400 in Louisiana

B. Parish and City Courts1. Three parish courts and 50 city

courts

2. Judges are elected • Handle traffic and less serious

criminal and civil cases

C. Juvenile Courts1. Five juvenile courts in the state

2. Judges are elected• Handle criminal cases involving

juveniles, adoptions, and custody cases

D. District Courts1. 42 state district courts

2. Judges are elected• Handle serious legal matters like

murder, rape, and robbery

E. Courts of Appeal1. Five courts hear appeals from anyone

convicted of a crime in a district court

2. Judges are elected• Judges determine if mistakes were

made in the lower court• The can order a new trial, overturn

conviction, or uphold the original decisions

F. The Supreme Court1. The state’s highest court is located in New Orleans2. Its seven justices are elected from their respective

districts and serve 10-year terms 3. This Court has several responsibilities

• It disciplines the state’s lawyers and judges• It hears appeals from lower courts• It passes final judgment on whether a law passed by

the legislature is constitutional – Qualifications for judges

• Must have been licensed to practice law in Louisiana for five years preceding the election

• Must have been a resident of the appropriate district for the preceding two years.

XII. Local Government

GLEs: 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 40

A. Municipal Government• Several hundred in LA

• May pass local laws called ordinances

• May collect taxes to fund local services

• May have a mayor/city manager and city council

B. Mayor and city Council• Mayor is chief executive

• City Council is like the legislature

• Both are elected

• Duties vary from town to town

C. City Manager and City Council• Voters elect city council members who

appoint/hire a city manager

• This allows a professionally trained person to run the city’s affairs

D. Parish Government• Only state to have parishes and police juries• These are basically the same as counties and

county commissions in other states • Each parish is divided into districts or wards

with 5-15 jurymen• Jurymen must be 18, lived in LA for two years

prior to the election and have lived n the district for one year.

Louisiana Parishes

E. Police Juries• Only state to have police juries• Police juries act as a legislature to pass

ordinances, establish programs, and set policies.

• they prepare budgets, hire, negotiate contracts, spend funds

• Most police juries have committees with members carrying out specific duties

• 41 of 64 parishes have police juries

F. President-Council Parish Government• The 1974 Constitution granted

municipalities and parishes home rule authority – the right to form different types of governments.

• Several parishes have president-council forms of government

• The parish is divided into districts and one commissioner is elected from each district.

G. Consolidated Government• Four parishes have combined city-parish

government for efficiency

• Voters in New Orleans elect a mayor and seven council members

• Baton Rouge/East Baton Rouge Parish, Lafayette/Lafayette Parish, and Houma/Terrebonne Parish have consolidated governments.

H. Council-Administrator Government • Caddo Parish has a council administrator

government

• Council members are elected

• They appoint the administrator

• The administrator manages and supervises all parish operations

**Public Education (Read more about it on page 349)

• Board members hire teachers and administrators

• They choose textbooks and ensure schools follow state requirements

• They can collect taxes to support the schools and supplement state-provided teacher salaries

XIII. Being a Good Citizen• Citizens enjoy freedoms guaranteed by

the Bill of Rights and the state Constitution

• It is a citizen’s responsibility to participate in government by obeying laws, paying taxes, and voting.

GLEs: 19, 32, 33, 36, 39, 40, 41

A. Voting• One of the most important privileges and

responsibilities • Elected officials represent us and we can

vote for someone else in the next election if we are not happy with their service.

• Voters must register to vote and can vote for any political party they choose.

B. Our Responsibility• It is very important to make intelligent informed

decisions when placing a vote with a certain candidate.

• Voters must be able to research beyond the propaganda a politician uses to get elected.

• Propaganda is information that is slanted or biased in one direction

• Good citizens should learn about the political parties, the candidates, and the issues

• Reading newspapers, watching the news with caution, and attending public meeting will help keep citizens informed of the major issues.

• Citizens can also petition and boycott peacefully

**Voting: A Great Privilege (Read more about it on page 352)

**The Louisiana Declaration of Rights (Read more about it on page 353)

• Located in Article I of the LA Constitution

• Guarantees citizens certain rights

**Civic Responsibility (Read more about it on page 353)

**Petitions (Read more about it on page 353)

Louisiana Governors: Page 356

Review and Assessment (page 354-355)

GLEs: 26, 28, 29, 32, 67