1. Chapter 13: Our State Government

2. Themes:
Government for All People; Articles of Confederation (pp )
The Constitution; The Bill of Rights (pp )
Checks and Balances; Branches of Government (pp )
Political Parties (pp )
A State Constitution (pp )
Louisiana Government-Executive, Legislative, Judicial (pp )

3. Themes: Local Government (pp. 349-351)
Being a Good Citizen (pp )
Chapter Review (pp )

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. The Articles of Confederation

8. III. The Constitution of the United States
GLEs: 18, 19, 39, 40

9. 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.

10. The U.S. Constitutional Convention

11. 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.

12. The U.S. Constitution

13. 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.

14. The Preamble (Read more about it on page 338)
Opening paragraph of the U.S. Constitution
States goals of the Constitution

15. 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

16. VI. Branches of Government

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. **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.

21. 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

22. 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

23. Political Party Symbols

24. A. A Two-Party System 1. US has usually had two political parties
2. 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

25. 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

26. 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.

27. Our State Seal (Read more on page 343)

28. IX. Executive Branch

29. A. The Governor
Must by 25 years old and a citizen of the state and country for at least five years.
He or she is elected to a four-year term, with a limit of two terms in office.
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

30. B. The Lieutenant Governor
Is elected every four years
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

31. C. Departments in the Executive Branch
Are supervised by secretaries and commissioners
Some are appointed by the Governor
Others are elected by the state’s voters.

32. Executive Branch Positions (Chart on page 344)

33. X. Legislative Branch

34. A. Representation
1. Louisiana has 105 representatives and 39 senatorial districts
2. Representation is based on population
3. Districts are redrawn when population shifts take place
4. 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

35. 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

36. C. How a Bill Becomes a Law in Louisiana
Bills are proposed by a representative or a senator
Read aloud by introducing house
Referred to a committee
Committee holds a public hearing and can be amended (changed)
If approved, it is sent to introducing house where it is debated and voted on—It can be amended.
Sent to other house and is debated and voted on—if agreed upon ….
Goes to the governor (Veto or Sign into law)
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.
After both houses accept it, the bill goes to the governor (see above).
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.

37. **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

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

39. XI. Judicial Branch

40. Courthouse in Homer

41. A. Justices of the Peace
Local elected judicial officials who serve parts of cities or parishes
Can perform marriages and try minor cases
Nearly 400 in Louisiana

42. B. Parish and City Courts
Three parish courts and 50 city courts
Judges are elected
Handle traffic and less serious criminal and civil cases

43. C. Juvenile Courts Five juvenile courts in the state
Judges are elected
Handle criminal cases involving juveniles, adoptions, and custody cases

44. D. District Courts 42 state district courts Judges are elected
Handle serious legal matters like murder, rape, and robbery

45. E. Courts of Appeal
Five courts hear appeals from anyone convicted of a crime in a district court
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

46. F. The Supreme Court
The state’s highest court is located in New Orleans
Its seven justices are elected from their respective districts and serve 10-year terms
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.

47. XII. Local Government
GLEs: 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 40

48. 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

49. B. Mayor and city Council
Mayor is chief executive
City Council is like the legislature
Both are elected
Duties vary from town to town

50. 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

51. 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.

52. Louisiana Parishes

53. 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

54. 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.

55. 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.

56. 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

57. **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

58. 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

59. 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.

60. 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

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

62. **The Louisiana Declaration of Rights (Read more about it on page 353)
Located in Article I of the LA Constitution
Guarantees citizens certain rights

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

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

65. Louisiana Governors: Page 356

66. Review and Assessment (page 354-355)
GLEs: 26, 28, 29, 32, 67