Chapter 13: Our State Government

1. Chapter 13: Our State Government

2. 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)

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

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 he 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 • Who Can Impose Taxes???????? • Federal and state - income tax (taxes on money made from jobs) • Parish and local - property taxes (taxes on homes and land) **All parts of the gov’t rely on taxes to fund gov’t 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. State Executive Branch

29. A. The Governor- Bobby Jindal • Qualifications: • 25 years old • citizen of the state & country for at least five years • Term: - four-year term, limit of two terms 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

30. B. The Lieutenant Governor (Jay Dardenne) • 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. X. State Legislative Branch

33. 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 • at least 18 • lived in the state for 2 years • lived in their districts for 1 year • serve no more than 3 consecutive 4-year terms (12 yrs)

34. B. Role of the State Legislature 1. Speaker of the house presides over the House of Representatives 2. Senate president presides over the senate 3. Legislature meeting once a year for a specific period of time 4. Special sessions are called if both houses agree 5. Work in committees

35. 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

36. I’m Just A Bill http://youtu.be/tyeJ55o3El0

37. **Lobbyists (Read more about it on page 347) • Individuals who work for large corporations or special interest groups. • They meet with legislators to provide information about proposed bills and to persuade members to support their interests. • They want laws to pass or fail. • They are very controversial.

38. *Reform Measures- give voters power • Initiative- gives voters the right to submit an ordinance for consideration. • Referendum- voters can demand the right to vote on a bill before it becomes law. • Recall- voters can remove an elected official • Today, on the state level, Louisianians only have the right of recall.

39. XI. State Judicial Branch

40. 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

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

42. C. Juvenile Courts • 5 juvenile courts in the state • Judges are elected • Handle criminal cases involving juveniles, adoptions, and custody cases

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

44. E. Courts of Appeal • 5 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

45. F. The Supreme Court • The state’s highest court is located in New Orleans • Its 7 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 • licensed to practice law in LA for 5 years preceding the election • resident of the district for the last 2 years.

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

47. 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

48. B. Mayor and city Council • Mayor is chief executive (Peter Gitz- Madisonville) • City Council is like the legislature • Both are elected • Duties vary from town to town

49. 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 • Madisonville Town Council: Mark Badeaux, Mayor Pro Tempore James Bouey Timothy Bounds Jean Pelloat Lawrence P. Ostendorf

50. D. Parish Government • Only state to have parishes and police juries • Each parish is divided into districts (wards) with 5-15 jurymen • Jurymen: - must be 18 - lived in LA for two years prior to the election - lived in the district for one year