1. Chapter 4 Notes
Section 1
The History of Louisiana Government
Influenced by its colonial founders.
Spanish: parishes (geographical)
French & Spanish government influences: civil laws based on civil
codes.
Also based on British common law system.
Common law (follows precedent)
Civil law (uses a written code)
Criminal law (protects society from criminals) Foundations of
Governments.
People given authority to write a state constitution prior to statehood.
April 30, 1812: Louisiana 18th state to enter the union.
Constitutional government
State powers derived wereUS Constitution describing US Constitution.
Reflects government by citizens: “We the People” (1st phase in
Preamble) identifies purpose, organization, and purpose of
government
Establishes division of power (federalism)
Article 4: US Constitution 1) Pursues shared relationship between state
and federal governments. 2) Indicates powers belonging to the state.
Bill of Rights
The State Constitution
Provides a framework for the state government
Acts in the US Bill of Rights 1) Non-discrimination laws stronger and
more detailed and specific
Louisiana history 11 constitutions

2. Section 2
Louisiana’s constitution
Patterned after US Constitution
3 branches of government
Power divided
Checks and Balances
Veto- refuse to approve
Executive Branch
Implements the laws
Operates state government
Oversee state services
Governor- chief executive officer other elected officials include-
lieutenant, governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general,
commissioner of agriculture & forestry
Governor (Bobby Jindal)
Must be at least 25 years old
A citizen of the US & Louisiana at least 5 years
Elected for a 4-year term
Can serve 2 back-to-back terms
Deties- prepares & submits a budget to the legislature
Appoints citizens to boards & commissions
Calls special sessions of the legislature
Lieutenant Governor (Jay Dardenne)
Serves as a public relations office for the state
Heads the State Department of culture, recreation, & tourism
Somewhat like being vice president of the United States
Acts as or replaces governor if needed.
Attorney General (James D. “Buddy” Caldwell)

3. Heads the state’s legal office, the Department of Justice
Provides opinions on questions of law to all states agencies & other
government groups
Can bring legal action
Secretary of State (Tom Schedler)
Chief election officer for Louisiana
Sole supervision duties of state held elections
Keeps official records
Treasurer (John Neely Kennedy)
Elected head of the Department of the Treasury
In charge of the state’s income and expenses
Invests state monies not needed
Provides the governor and the legislature a yearly financial report
Other Elected Officials:
Commissioner of Agriculture
Promotes agriculture & forestry (Mike Strain)
Oversees soil & water conservation
Commissioner of Insurance (James J. Donelon)
Enforces insurance laws passed by the legislature
The board of Elementary & Secondary Education (BESE) (Jay Gulliot)
Supervises education
Appoints the state superintendent of education
Legislature Branch
Consists 2 bodies
a) House of Representatives (Frank Hoffman)
b) Senate (Mike Walsworth)
Based on model called bicameral: camera
Contains 144 members (39 senators, 105 representatives) elected from
geographic districts
New districts redrawn every 10 years

4. State Legislatures
Old enough to vote; old enough to be elected
Candidate must be a registered voter
A resident of the state at least 2 years
One year resident of the district
Elected for 2-year term
Maximum of 2 terms (total of 12 years)
Legislature Sessions
Meets every year
Even-numbered years: meets 30 days during a 45 day period
Tax bills: can only be passed in even-numbered years
Odd-numbered years: meets 60 days during an 85-day period
Speaker of the House: resides over the House of Representatives
(Chuck Kleckly)
President of the Senate: resides over the Senate
Constituents-people legislatures represent