Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities

Transcription

1 CHAPTER 4 LOUISIANA S GOVERNMENT: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Pages Focus on Skills Reading Graphs Page 110 Section 1 Democratic Government Pages Section 2 Structure of State Government Pages Section 3 Local Government Pages Section 4 Citizens and Government Pages Meeting Expectations The Electoral College Page 136 Chapter Summary Page 137 Activities for Learning Pages Focus Preview the terms and places in the Chapter Preview. Assign Vocabulary for Government on page 44 in the BLM book. Chapter4 Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities Chapter Preview Terms: government, parish, constitution, federalism, checks and balances, veto, executive branch, budget, legislative branch, bicameral, census, reapportionment, constituent, bill, judicial branch, civil law, criminal law, jury, taxes, police jury, home rule, municipality, open primary, lobbying People: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, speaker of the house, president of the senate Taylor Atkinson traveled from St. John Parish to Washington, D.C., to receive a special citizenship award. The Prudential Insurance Company honored one middle school student from each state. At the ceremony, Taylor and his family met Senator John Breaux and film star Whoopi Goldberg, along with students from all over the United States. Taylor s citizenship activity had begun when he was only a second grader. He saw an Adopt a Highway sign and told his mother he wanted to do that. She suggested they adapt his idea to his own environment, and so Taylor began a Clean Up Crew at his school. Soon, eight to ten students joined him after school once a week to pick up litter. Taylor remained at the same school, John L. Ory Communications Magnet, and continued his project every year. He said students seemed to litter less because they saw the Clean Up Crew in action. The school principal appreciated Taylor s contribution to his community and nominated him for the citizenship award. She said Taylor thinks of others before he thinks of himself. Another group of Louisiana students also showed that citizenship includes thinking of others. Art students from LSU Laboratory School and the Louisiana School for the Deaf held a fundraiser for the Baton Rouge Food Bank. Each student created a ceramic bowl to be filled with soup and sold at the event. People from the community bought the bowls of soup to provide money to feed the hungry. These Louisiana young people understood the meaning of citizenship. The Louisiana State Capitol building, the tallest in the nation, is the seat of government for the state. to identify the state capital. share any experiences they have had when visiting the state capitol. brainstorm a list of offices found at the state capitol. discuss the type of work that is done at the state capitol. The Old 1882 State Capitol houses many interesting educational and interactive exhibits. The Capitol Complex includes the Governor s Mansion; the Old Arsenal Powder Magazine from the Mexican War; the present State Capitol; the Pentagon Barracks, which served as the campus of LSU from 1866 through 1932; and the Old Governor s Mansion, which was built in Have students go to state.la.us/museums/osc/osc/chec k/check-welcome.htm to find links to tour the Old State Capitol. Have them tour one of the exhibits or the whole capitol. Ask them to list five things they learned from their tour. Tell students that as United States citizens they have certain rights. Ask them to list rights that they have at school and at home. Write the list on the chalkboard. Then tell them that along with the rights come responsibilities. Ask them to list things they do at school or home to demonstrate the responsibilities of citizenship. Record the list on the chalkboard. 108 Louisiana The History of an American State Civic Participation Generate a list of volunteer opportunities that exist at the school. Have students identify those that interest them. You may want to have a required civic school project, e.g., picking up litter, planting a flower garden, tutoring, assisting students that need extra help. if they have volunteered for projects similar to Taylor Atkinson s. to describe the value of such projects. (Evaluation) to tell how volunteering for community projects is an example of good citizenship. (Application) Chapter 4 Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities 109 Have students look at the map of Louisiana on page 557 in the Atlas and locate Baton Rouge. Discuss if Baton Rouge is the best location for the state capital. Give reasons to support or oppose the location. Prepare a scavenger hunt based on the web site for the Old State Capitol. Have students, individually or in groups, search to find the items. To find more information on the present Louisiana capitol, go to pitol/capitol.htm. T108 T109

2 Each Focus on Skills defines a skill, gives the teacher an opportunity to conduct a guided practice on the skill, and finally allows students to apply their understanding by practicing the skill on their own. Focus to identify the various uses of graphs. Ask how often they read or construct graphs. In what classes do they use graphs? to look through newspapers or magazines or go to the Internet to find examples of different kinds of graphs. Have them bring the examples they find to share with the class. (Instead of asking students to bring sample graphs, you may want to bring a number to show the students.) Graph Activity Collect data from students in the classroom. You may ask for birth dates, ages, shoe sizes, heights, etc. After acquiring the information, construct a class graph to display the data. what type of graph would be best to display certain data. Try This! 1. Police and fire services 2. 4% 3. Police and fire, sanitation, streets, recreation 4. Police and fire services It s Your Turn! 1. Louisiana s budget revenues 2. Fiscal year Taxes, fees, and licenses 4. Fees and self-generated revenues 5. Federal grants Focus on Skills Reading Graphs Defining the Skill Graphs provide a quick impression of data. Using Budget for Smalltown, USA graphs to obtain information may be quicker and easier than drawing conclusions or making comparisons from written information. Graphs can make learn- Streets, $45,000, 13% Sanitation Services, Recreation, ing more meaningful and increase the comprehension of written words. Graphs can be of several vari- $70,000, 20% $15,000, 4% eties, such as line graphs, bar graphs, and circle graphs. Chapter 4 contains two circle graphs on page 124. A circle graph is best used to illustrate the parts of something to the whole. A circle graph is also called Police and Fire Services, a pie graph. The whole circle represents 100 percent. Each part of the circle is referred to as a sec- $220,000, 63% tor, section, or segment. When reading a circle graph, notice the title, which tells you the subject of the graph, the general parts of the graph, 4. Which service receives more money than any trends, and the other three combined? any information that you can develop into questions or use to answer questions about It s Your Turn! the data. Look at Figure 11 on page 124 detailing Louisiana s sources of revenue. Use the information on Try This! the graph to answer the following questions. Look at the circle graph that displays the budget 1. What is the subject of the graph? for Smalltown. Use the information on the graph to 2. For what year does the graph reflect answer the following questions. revenue? 1. What service receives the largest amount of 3. From what source does most of the state s money? revenue come? 2. What percentage of the budget is set aside 4. From what source does a little more than for recreation? 12 percent of the state s revenue come? 3. What services are included in Smalltown s 5. What is Louisiana s second largest source of budget? revenue? 110 Chapter 4 Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities Addressing Learning Styles Verbal/Linguistic Using the data on the graph of Smalltown, USA, write a narrative detailing the information given. To debrief, ask students which took more space the graph or narrative. Was it easier to make a graph or write a narrative? Section1 Democratic Government As you read, look for: the purposes of government, how Louisiana s constitution sets out a plan for organizing the government, and vocabulary terms government, parish, constitution, and federalism. Government is an organization in a society with the authority to make, carry out, and enforce laws. In the United States, government is established by the people, and the authority to govern comes from the people. Government is established and organized to protect the individual rights of the people and to promote the common good. As a result, the U.S. government is said to be a democracy. The History of Louisiana Government Louisiana s government has been influenced by its colonial founders France and Spain. When Louisiana was a Spanish colony, the government established parishes as geographical divisions of the Catholic Church. These parishes later formed Louisiana s governmental divisions. Louisiana is the only state to have parishes instead of counties. The French and Spanish influence on Louisiana government can also be seen in the legal system. Louisiana civil laws are based on French and Spanish civil codes. These written guidelines explain how individuals deal with each other. Judicial decisions are based on these written laws. On the other hand, the British common law system used decisions made in earlier, similar cases as guidelines. These earlier decisions are known as precedents. Common law follows precedents, and civil law uses a written code. The common law system has influenced Louisiana s criminal laws, the laws that protect society from criminals. The common law system of the United States came to Louisiana with the Louisiana Purchase of Laws in the United States were based on the British common law system. Objectives Louisiana is the only state that still refers to the Napoleonic Code in its state law. Above: Louisiana s legal system is based in part upon the Napoleonic Code, the name given to the written civil laws of France. The code was named after Napoleon Bonaparte, emperor of France in the early 1800s, who helped formulate it. Section 1 Democratic Government 111 GLE 19: Describe the purposes of state constitutions and describe the relationship of the Louisiana Constitution and the U.S. Constitution. GLE 31: Explain how the Louisiana Constitution reflects the principles of government set forth in the U.S. Constitution (e.g., checks and balances, separation of powers). GLE 39: Identify individual rights guaranteed in the Louisiana Constitution. SECTION 1 DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT INTRODUCE Outline A. The History of Louisiana Government B. Foundations of Government C. The United States Constitution D. The State Constitution Materials Textbook, pages Blackline Masters Comparing Constitutions, page 45 A Bill of Rights, page 46 Teacher CD-ROM Transparencies Online textbook mystatehistory.com Focus Have students make a list of all the things they do in a 24-hour period. How many of those activities or actions are controlled by the government? Have them classify government control as federal or state. Tell students that Louisiana s government reflects its cultural heritage. NOTE: You may want to review the various cultures that have influenced Louisiana. TEACH to list the purposes of government. (Comprehension) describe how Louisiana s government was affected by France and Spain. (Comprehension) identify when British law came to Louisiana. Guiding Question 3-2 T110 T111

3 to describe the purpose of a constitution. (Comprehension) Guiding Question 3-2 Reading Strategy Building GLE Vocabulary Limited government: A government in which a constitution, statement of rights, or other laws define the limits of those in power. Everyone, including all authority figures, must obey the laws. The U.S. has a limited government with powers delegated to different branches of government by the U.S. Constitution and its amendments. Unlimited government: A government in which control is held solely by the ruler and his or her appointees, and there are no limits imposed on the ruler s authority. Federalism: A form of political organization in which governmental power is divided between a central government and various territorial subdivision Concurrent powers: Powers that may be exercised by both the national (federal) government and state governments (taxing) BLM Assign Comparing Constitutions on page 45 in the BLM book. Guiding Question 3-2 Group Activity Have the students write a class constitution. Ask them to follow the format of the U.S. Constitution include articles and a bill of rights. why the Bill of Rights was added to the U.S. Constitution. (Comprehension) to name the provisions of the Bill of Rights. Above: A statue of George Washington stands in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention. Because of the dominance of French in Louisiana, Congress required the state s first constitution to safeguard the rights of English-speakers. When Louisiana became a territory of the United States, the colonists had to learn their role as citizens in a republic. The idea of self government of the people, by the people, and for the people was new to them. Colonial Louisiana had been run by government officials, with little input from the people. Adjusting to this new type of government deeply affected the developing state in many ways. The colonists struggled to find their role, and the newly arriving Americans expected to have a strong voice. Foundations of Government Louisiana became the eighteenth state to enter the Union on April 30, Just before it became a state, the people were given the authority to write a state constitution. The constitution of a government explains its purpose, describes its organization, and states its powers. The United States government, the state government, and local governments have specific powers and responsibilities as described in the United States Constitution and the Louisiana constitution. The United States Constitution The first phrase of the Preamble to the United States Constitution is We, the People. These words reflect a constitution for a government formed by its citizens. The people agree on the power and purpose of the government. The United States Constitution identifies powers given only to the United States (federal) government, powers shared by the states and the federal government, and specific state powers. For example, only the federal government can print money and make treaties with other countries. Both the federal government and the state governments can collect taxes. State governments can establish schools and conduct elections. This division of powers is called federalism. Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution discusses the relationship between the states and the federal government. The U.S. Constitution also guarantees citizens the right to elect people to represent them in a state government. The Tenth Amendment of the Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution) states that all powers not given to the federal government or prohibited to the states belong to the states. This right is called the reserved powers doctrine. The State Constitution The powers of the state government come from the constitution of the United States and the citizens of the state. The constitution of each state provides the framework for its government. Louisiana s constitution establishes the power of the government to act in the interest of the people. At the same time, it includes limits to protect the rights of citizens. The present Louisiana constitution follows the federal constitution more closely than any of the earlier state constitutions. The bill of rights the sec- 112 Chapter 4 Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities BLM Assign The Bill of Rights on page 46 in the BLM book. Have students explain how the Louisiana constitution reflects the principles of government set forth in the United States Constitution. Guiding Question 3-10 Research Activity Have students research the method by which the United States chooses its president. Make a chart outlining the steps in the electoral process, including the role of the Electoral College. Have students determine how many electoral votes Louisiana has. Guiding Question 3-12 tion that guarantees basic rights is even stronger than the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution, adding the right to individual dignity and freedom from discrimination. That protection is included because of the civil rights struggle of the 1960s. It goes on to say that laws cannot discriminate because of birth, age, sex, culture, physical conditions, or political ideas or affiliations. Although the current constitution is more like a framework for government than the earlier state constitutions, it is still more specific than critics think it should be. The state constitution should give a broad structure for government; laws should provide the specific details. The history of government in Louisiana includes eleven constitutions. No other state has had so many constitutions. Why do you suppose the Louisiana constitution has been rewritten so many times? Each time political power shifted, the new controlling group used the constitution to protect its ideas of government. Constitutional protection is stronger than passing laws. Details of government were included in the constitution so they would be harder to change. Our state constitutions have not been a broad framework for government like the U.S. Constitution, but rather detailed plans imposing a very specific structure of government. Sometimes a new constitution led to more restrictions on the people and sometimes rights were broadened. The present constitution was approved by the voters in Louisiana voters elected delegates to this constitutional convention. More than one hundred people worked for over a year to develop the 1974 Louisiana constitution. Check for Understanding 1. What is the purpose of democratic government? 2. What are Louisiana s civil laws based on? 3. What are three functions of a constitution? 4. Name one power that is shared by the federal government and the state government. 5. Why has the Louisiana constitution been rewritten so many times? Have students go to senate. legis.state.la.us/documents/const itution and edu/constitution/constitution. overview.html to find copies of the Louisiana and U.S. constitutions. Guiding Question 3-10 Above: This painting of the members of the U.S. Constitutional Convention hangs in the east stairway in the House wing of the U.S. Capitol. Louisiana s 1921 constitution was amended more than 500 times in 50 years! Section 1 Democratic Government 113 what criticism has been made of the Louisiana constitution. if a constitution should be very definitive or should it be a loose set of ideas. (Application) if it is a good idea to change a constitution frequently. (Evaluation) Using Photos and Illustrations What seems to be the mood of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention? What is happening in the picture? Who is the presiding officer? What might the delegates be saying or what questions might they be asking? Have students analyze the Bill of Rights (use the copy in the BLM book on page 46). Ask them to decide which provision is the most important. Have them give reasons for their choice. if anything should be added to the Bill of Rights. Have them propose an addition. Ask students to share their ideas. Come to a class consensus. ASSESS Check for Understanding 1. To protect the rights of the people and provide for the common good 2. French and Spanish civil codes 3. A constitution explains the purpose of government, describes its organization, and states its powers. 4. Collect taxes 5. To protect the ideas of the controlling group Alternative Assessment Have students tell how the U.S. Constitution and the Louisiana constitution are different. Lesson Closure Have students write a journal entry explaining What Government Means to Me. Have students complete the thought: Good government is... or Good government is like... T112 T113

4 SECTION 2 STRUCTURE OF STATE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCE Outline A. Executive Branch 1. Governor 2. Lieutenant Governor 3. Attorney General 4. Secretary of State 5. Treasurer 6. Other Elected Officials B. Legislative Branch 1. State Legislators 2. Legislative Sessions 3. Law Making C. Judicial Branch 1. Civil and Criminal Law 2. Juries 3. Funding State Government Materials Textbook, pages Blackline Masters Checks and Balances, page 47 Requirements for Office, page 48 How a Bill Becomes a Law, page 49 Louisiana State Budget, page 50 State Government on the Internet, page 51 Teacher CD-ROM Transparencies Online textbook mystatehistory.com Focus Remind students that, in a representative democracy, they do not directly interact with their representatives on a day-to-day basis. Rather, they elect representatives to go to Washington or Baton Rouge to work on their behalf. why it is impractical for the Louisiana legislators to work directly with the citizens of the state each day. T114 Section2 The election for governor is held in the odd-numbered year before a presidential election for example, in 2007, 2011, and so on. Figure 8 Branches of State Government Branch Executive Legislative Judicial Responsibility Implements and enforces the laws passed by the legislature Makes laws Interprets and applies the constitution and laws of the state Structure of State Government As you read, look for: the structure of Louisiana s government, the responsibilities of each branch of government, how a bill becomes law, and vocabulary terms checks and balances, veto, executive branch, governor, budget, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, legislative branch, bicameral, census, reapportionment, speaker of the house, president of the senate, constituent, bill, judicial branch, civil law, criminal law, jury, and taxes. Louisiana s constitution follows the pattern of the U.S. Constitution, with three branches of government and separation of powers among these branches. Like the United States government, the powers of the state government are divided among the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches. This arrangement creates a system of checks and balances so that each branch can use its powers to protect the rights of the people. The powers of each branch are balanced by the powers of the other two branches. Each branch has checks (controls) to keep the other branches from misusing their powers. Each branch has the primary responsibility for some functions of the government. But all branches share the power and no branch can function without the others. As part of the system of checks and balances, the governor can veto (refuse to approve) bills passed by the legislature. The governor can also use a lineitem veto on any part of the budget passed by the legislature. This means the governor can oppose specific items the legislature wants in the budget. The one kind of legislation that the governor cannot veto is a proposed constitutional amendment. Also as part of the checks and balances, the legislature can override the governor s veto, but it must do so by a two-thirds vote. 114 Chapter 4 Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities Objectives GLE 18: Identify the powers of state government as defined in the Louisiana constitution and compare/contrast those powers to the powers of the federal government. GLE 20: Identify the structure and powers of the three branches of the state government, the limits of those powers, and key positions within each branch. GLE 22: Describe the powers/responsibilities and limits of power for government officials at the local and state levels in Louisiana. GLE 23: Identify qualifications and terms of office for key leaders/representatives at the state and local levels. GLE 24: Identify current government leaders at the state, local, and national levels in the United States. GLE 25: Explain how a bill becomes law at the state level. The judicial branch also acts to limit the power of the other two branches. If the legislature passes a law that some citizens consider unconstitutional, the Louisiana supreme court must decide if the law follows the state and federal constitutions. This power of judicial review is an important part of the system of checks and balances. Executive Branch The executive branch implements the laws passed by the legislative branch. This branch also operates the state government and oversees state services. The chief executive officer of the state is the governor. There are other elected officials in the executive branch: lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, commissioner of agriculture and forestry, and commissioner of insurance. Governor The governor of Louisiana must be at least twenty-five years old and a citizen of the United States and Louisiana for at least five years. The governor is elected for a four-year term and can serve two consecutive (back-to-back) terms. One of the governor s important duties is to prepare and submit a budget to the legislature. This plan sets out how money should be obtained and spent by the state government. In this way, the governor influences the way the state spends its money. Objectives (Cont.) Top: The Louisiana Governor s Mansion is one of the most beautiful in the nation. Above: Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of Lafayette was elected in Section 2 Structure of State Government 115 GLE 26: List and apply criteria for evaluating rules and laws. GLE 28: Explain why taxes are needed and purposes for which tax monies/ revenues are used. GLE 29: Identify types of taxes collected by the local, state, and federal government. GLE 32: Describe various peaceful ways of resolving political or social conflicts, including majority vote vs. consensus. GLE 33: Analyze how the democratic process has been used to institute change in Louisiana. GLE 34: Explain how the U.S. Census is used in the political process and how it affects Louisiana representation in Congress. GLE 35: Describe the role of the Electoral College and how Louisiana participates in that system. GLE 56: Identify various types of taxes and user fees and predict their consequences. TEACH Assign Requirements for Office from page 48 in the BLM book. Tell students to search for information on the requirements of office, terms of office, and duties of the president of the United States, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives. Have them record the information they find on the blackline master. Reading Strategy Compare and Contrast Have students locate the requirements to serve as governor of Louisiana. Ask them to draw a graphic organizer on which to compare the requirements for governor and for president of the United States. Requirements to serve Duties President Guiding Question 3-6 to identify personal and professional qualities a governor should possess. Have them rank the qualities and come up with a class list. Governor Research Activity Have students research past Louisiana governors and rank them according to each class criteria. Research Activity to select a governor and prepare a report on the person s background as well as accomplishments as governor. Have each student give an oral presentation. (NOTE: Develop a rubric to assess the presentation or use one from the BLM book.) T115

5 to identify duties of the governor. list other offices in the executive branch of Louisiana s government. Guiding Question 3-5 Social Studies Skill Reading a Chart Have students look at the chart in Figure 9. Ask them to identify which offices are elective. identify which offices are appointed. predict what various departments do. Guiding Question 3-3 Group Activity Place students in groups of three or four. Assign each group one department of the state government to research. Have students find out who heads each department, what agencies are within the department, and what services are provided. Multidisciplinary Activity Art Make a chart or mobile illustrating one of the departments in Louisiana state government. Include various agencies that are included in the department. Guiding Question 3-3 if they think the requirements for governor or president should be changed. Ask if good, qualified persons have been excluded from the presidency because of the requirements. Figure 9 Organization of the Executive Branch Departments under direct control of the Governor and the Civil Service Civil Service (Independent) Environmental Quality Public Safety and Corrections Social Services Division of Administration Economic Development Department of Health and Hospitals Natural Resources Transportation and Development At the secretary of state s web site, you can get the results of statewide elections back to Education Labor Revenue Wildlife and Fisheries Governor Office of Lieutenant Governor Culture, Recreation and Tourism Department of State Justice The governor appoints citizens to hundreds of boards and commissions. These appointments give the governor power and influence. The executive branch can also influence the legislative branch through administration bills, laws the governor wants passed. Legislators who support the governor introduce these bills in the legislature. The governor can also call special sessions of the legislature to discuss specific subjects. These special sessions are usually called when the governor believes the state has a need that cannot wait until the regular legislative session. In recent years, special sessions have dealt with Medicaid funding problems, the New Orleans land casino, and budget problems. The salary of the governor is not as much as that paid to the heads of large businesses, but the job has other benefits. The governor s mansion and staff, a car and driver, and bodyguards are all provided. Lieutenant Governor The lieutenant governor serves much like a public relations officer for the state. The State Culture, Recreation and Tourism is headed by this elected official. 116 Chapter 4 Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities Multidisciplinary Activity Language Arts Have students follow news stories about the governor and other public officials for several days. Write a summary of the activities involving these persons. Art Have students watch the newspaper or Internet for political cartoons. to develop a political cartoon based on a news story. Statewide elected officials and the Public Service the Treasury Insurance Agriculture and Forestry Public Service Commission Being the lieutenant governor of Louisiana is somewhat like being the vice president of the United States. If the governor is out of the state, the lieutenant governor acts as governor. According to the constitution, if the governor leaves office or is unable to act, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. Attorney General The attorney general heads the state s legal office, the Department of Justice. The attorney general provides opinions on questions of law to all state agencies and other government groups. The attorney general can also bring legal action on behalf of the state. In the late 1990s, the Louisiana attorney general joined with forty-five other states to sue tobacco companies to recover the costs of treating smoking-related illnesses. The Louisiana attorney general also defends Louisiana laws if they are challenged in the federal courts. That might happen if the legislature passes a law that a citizen thinks is a violation of the U.S. Constitution. For example, in a 1975 case, Taylor v. Louisiana, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the state had to call women to jury duty in the same way men were called. Before this ruling, Louisiana juries were mostly men. The U.S. Supreme Court said state law violated the right to have a jury from a cross section of the community. Secretary of State The secretary of state is the chief election officer for Louisiana. All duties connected with elections are now supervised by the secretary of state. Some of those duties had been handled by an elected commissioner of elections, an office eliminated in The secretary of state also keeps Louisiana s official records and publishes the acts and journals of the legislature. The secretary of state is the keeper of the Great Seal of the state of Louisiana, which is used to give official approval to documents. All of Louisiana s official records are now preserved at the State Archives Building in Baton Rouge. These records include some of Louisiana s historic legal documents. Treasurer The elected head of the the Treasury, the state treasurer is in charge of the state s money. The treasurer keeps records of the state s income and expenses. State money not needed immediately must be invested. The law requires the treasurer to give the governor and the legislature a yearly financial report, one month before each regular session of the legislature. The treasurer also returns unclaimed property to citizens. Louisiana s state seal has changed over the years. At one point there were a dozen chicks in the nest. Since pelicans normally do not have large numbers of chicks at one time, the present version is more realistic. It also makes you feel a bit better knowing that the pelican doesn't have to pull itself apart for more than three of the young. Above: Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu was elected in Section 2 Structure of State Government 117 Using Photos and Illustrations Have students look at the picture of the lieutenant governor. Ask them to look at the list of governors in the appendix or go to and determine which lieutenant governors have become governor. Have students find out under what circumstances that happened. Verbal/Linguistic Have students write an essay in which they identify a statewide elective office they would like to hold. Have them explain why they would like to hold that office as well as what goals they would like to accomplish. Reading Skill Compare and Contrast Have students prepare a graphic organizer on which they list elected officials lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, commissioner of agriculture, and commissioner of insurance. Have them list the duties of each. Guiding Question 3-5 which elective office in the executive branch, excluding the governor, has the most power. (Application) Guiding Question 3-5 which elective office is closer to the people. (Comprehension) Visual/Spatial The secretary of state is the keeper of the Great Seal. Have students look at the State Seal on the title page. The official state seal of Louisiana was adopted in It features a pelican tending its three young chicks in their nest. The story is that the pelican is actually tearing some of its own flesh to feed the chicks, which apparently a pelican will do rather than allow its young to starve. The Louisiana motto "Union, justice, confidence" surrounds the birds on the present seal. to design a new seal for Louisiana. T116 T117

6 to name the two state boards that have elective members. describe who makes up the BESE. name the two bodies that make up Louisiana s legislature. identify the number of members of each body. Guiding Question 3-3 Social Studies Skill Reading Maps Have students look at Map 15. to locate their senate district. to discuss why some districts are larger than others. why there are eight districts in New Orleans. why the districts have different shapes. Making a Map Using an outline map of Louisiana, have students label each parish that is in their local senate district. Introduce students to the term reapportionment. Use a search engine or go to quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22000.html to find the latest census figures. There is a link from this site to each parish in Louisiana. Population trends since the 2000 census are noted. Based on the population shifts since the state s latest reapportionment, have students predict what changes might occur in state senatorial districts in to research the population in each of Louisiana s parishes and propose new boundaries for the state s senatorial districts. Social Studies Skill Reading Maps Have students look at Map 16. to locate their house of representatives district. to discuss why some districts are larger than others. Making a Map Using an outline map of Louisiana, have students label each parish that is in their local house district. Reading Skill Decision Making Louisiana legislators are limited by law to three terms. Have students list the advantages and disadvantages of having term limits. Have the class come to a consensus as to whether this practice is good or bad. Guiding Question 3-5 if legislative districts should be based on land area or population. Ask them who benefits the most from each configuration. how often the Louisiana legislature meets. the names of the officials who preside over the Louisiana legislature. why the legislators take a break after proposing laws. T118 T119

7 Research Project Have students obtain a copy of the bills that were passed in the last state legislative session. Categorize the types of bills that became law, e.g., education, health and human services. Have students also identify unique laws as well as the subjects of some bills that were not passed. Writing Activity Tell students that they will be participating in a mock legislature in which some will serve as representatives in the state senate or state house of representatives. write and submit a bill. serve on appropriate committees to study bills. participate in committee hearings. debate and pass or reject bills. To begin the activity, have students brainstorm a list of possible bills. (NOTE: Ask them to look at the language and topics of bills they examined in the research project.) Have each student write a bill and then ask the class to select a number of the bills to use in a role-playing activity. Guiding Question 3-7 Writing a Bill Before students begin to write a bill, have them brainstorm the criteria for a good rule or bill, such as the bill must have a title. the language of the bill must be easily understood. the bill must have clearly stated consequences. the consequences must be appropriate for any infractions to the bill. the bill must be fair to all the citizens. Above: The state senate chamber has been the scene of many political debates. The state house and senate chambers are at opposite ends of the Capitol lobby. Law Making The legislature writes and approves laws. Proposed laws, called bills, may be introduced in either chamber of the legislature. A bill becomes law only when it is approved by both the house and the senate and is signed by the governor. About 2,500 bills are introduced in a session. Only about one-third of those become laws. When a bill becomes law, it becomes a numbered act of the legislature. Legislative committees study and debate the proposed laws. Some of the committees are permanent. These standing committees include education, finance, health and welfare, natural resources, environment, insurance, and transportation. Other committees are temporary, appointed for a special purpose. Committees and committee chairs are appointed by the speaker of the house and the president of the senate. Each legislator serves on at least one committee. Suppose that a bill is introduced in laws take effect on the the senate. It is assigned to a senate 60th day after the end of a committee, either standing or temporary, for discussion and debate. The legislative session. committee may hold hearings so that 120 Chapter 4 Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities New Writing a Bill (Cont.) To illustrate the criteria, you might want to list some class rules and ask students to apply the criteria to each, e.g., If you are late to class, you will be suspended for ten days. (This rule does not have consequences that are appropriate to the infraction.) Have students use the criteria to write bills for the mock legislative session. Guiding Question 3-8 Have students go to senate. legis.state.la.us/senators/seating.asp to find profiles of Louisiana state senators. Ask them to identify their state senator and find out something about his or her background. This site has links to each senator s homepage, which contains information about the person s background as well as information on issues. Figure 10 How a Bill Becomes Law Legislator introduces a bill in the house or senate. If passed, the bill is sent to the other chamber, where it goes through the same process. Bill is introduced and assigned to a committee for discussion. Bill is sent to a committee for review. Members debate and vote on the bill. Members debate and vote on the bill. If signed, the bill becomes law. If vetoed, legislature may override the veto by a two-thirds vote of each chamber. interested persons can testify (speak) about the bill. After the hearings, the committee members vote to (1) approve the bill and send it on to the full senate for consideration, (2) amend the original bill, or (3) kill it. If the bill is approved by the full senate, it is sent to the house of representatives, where the entire process is repeated. If either chamber votes no, the bill is dead. A bill must pass both chambers in exactly the same form if it is to become law. If the versions of the bill passed by each chamber are different, the two versions are sent to a conference committee. The conference committee contains members from both the senate and the house. They work out the differences and return the revised bill to both chambers for another vote. After the legislature passes a bill, it must be delivered to the governor within three days. The governor has ten days (twenty if the legislative session has ended) to act on the bill. The governor may sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow the bill to become law without signing it. The absence of the governor s signature is a way of showing his or her opposition to the bill. Committee holds hearings on the bill. Committee discusses the bill, makes any changes to it, and reports the bill to the full chamber. If passed in identical form, the bill is sent to the governor. Governor may sign or veto the bill. Section 2 Structure of State Government 121 Social Studies Skill Using Community Resources Invite one of your state legislators to visit the classroom before or after the role-playing activity. Have students generate a number of questions to ask the legislator about the law-making process. Social Studies Skill Reading a Chart Have students examine Figure 10, How a Bill Becomes Law. Be sure they understand what happens in each step so they can be prepared to role play the process of how a bill becomes a law. Guiding Question 3-7 Reading Strategy Building GLE Vocabulary Laws: Regulations that are issued and enforced by a government or other authority and that bind every member of society Role-Playing Have students decide which committees are needed to study the bills the class has chosen. Assign certain students to serve on committees and other students to represent citizens who will testify before the committee during the hearings. (NOTE: Be sure you establish senate and house committees.) After the committee hearings, send the bill to the full legislative body for discussion and vote. If the bill passes, send it on to the other legislative body and go through the procedures again. If the bill passes the second house, send it to the governor. If the bill is amended in the second house, send it to a conference committee to resolve the differences. Guiding Question 3-7 why a governor might allow a bill to become law without his signature. BLM Assign How a Bill Becomes a Law on page 49 in the BLM book. Guiding Question 3-7 T120 T121

8 to define the purpose of the judicial branch of government. (Comprehension) Guiding Question 3-3 Reading Strategy Compare and Contrast Have students make a graphic organizer to compare and contrast civil and criminal law. Group Activity Have students make an organizational chart to illustrate the court system in Louisiana. Guiding Question 3-5 Social Studies Skill Making a Map Have students look at Map 17 and locate the supreme court district where they live. Ask them to use an outline map to identify the parishes that are located in each district. The Louisiana State Supreme Court is located in New Orleans. It is composed of seven justices who are elected to ten-year terms. For more information on Louisiana s supreme court, go to to identify which members of the state court system are elected and which ones are appointed. Guiding Question 3-3 if judges should be elected. Have them give reasons for their choices. Sometimes these cases are also appealed to the highest court in the state, the Louisiana supreme court. This court hears appeals from lower-level courts. If a lower court has declared a law unconstitutional, the supreme court must evaluate that decision. If a defendant in a criminal case has been sentenced to death, the case is always reviewed by the state supreme court. Juries A citizen may go to court as a witness, as a participant in a civil lawsuit, or even as a person charged with a crime. But any citizen may also be called to serve on a jury. This group of citizens hears evidence on a legal case and makes a decision based on that evidence. Serving on a jury is an important responsibility. A person accused of a crime has the right to be tried before a jury of his or her peers. Citizens may also serve on a grand jury. A grand jury consists of twelve citizens who serve for six months. These citizens are involved in the first step of legal action against an accused criminal. After listening to the district attorney, the grand jury must decide if there is enough evidence to indict a person (formally charge the person with a crime). A regular trial jury would then hear the evidence during the trial. Funding State Government Governments need money to function. Louisiana, like other states and the federal government, gets this money in several ways. Planning for the needs of state government starts with a detailed budget. The State Budget A budget is a detailed plan for receiving and spending money. Each year, the state government estimates how much money (revenue) it will collect for the year. Then the state can decide how to spend the money (distribute the revenue) to meet the needs of the state. The governor prepares the budget and presents it to the legislature. Revenue and expenditures (amounts spent) must match because the state constitution requires a balanced budget. In other words, the state government cannot spend more than it takes in. Taxes Much of the state revenue comes from taxes. Taxes are amounts charged citizens by their governments (federal, state, and local) to help provide government services. A sales tax is charged on items as they are purchased; it is the largest single source of tax revenue. An excise tax is imposed on specific products such as gasoline, alcohol, soft drinks, and cigarettes. Indict is pronounced to rhyme with kite. Above: Both civil and criminal cases are heard in parish courthouses, like this one in Alexandria in Rapides Parish. Section 2 Structure of State Government 123 to describe how Louisiana gets funds to operate its government. (Comprehension) identify taxes and fees that are included in the state s revenue. Guiding Question 3-9 identify the person who has the responsibility for making the budget. what types of cases are heard in the state supreme court. to describe two types of juries. (Comprehension) Using Photos and Illustrations Look at the courthouse in Alexandria. Have students discuss what activities occur in the local courthouse. Ask them to choose a courthouse in a parish other than their own to research. Ask them to find out when the courthouse was built, how much it cost, and any special features that make it unique. Have students go to www. colemanandhenderson.com/louisi ana's_courthouses.htm to find links to photographs of several Louisiana courthouses. to look at the pictures and compare the architecture of the buildings. if they think Louisiana should maintain a balanced budget. Ask them what might happen if the state budget exceeded the state s revenue. Logical/Mathematical Help students understand the concept of sales tax by giving them problems in which they have to figure sales tax. Tell them that Mary purchased a new dress for $42.50, a new sweater for $28.75, and a new pair of shoes for $ Ask them how much Mary had to pay for her purchases when she added the 4% state sales tax. You may also want students to add local sales taxes to the purchase amount. Guiding Question 3-14 T122 T123

9 Have students go to state.la.us/museums/osc/exhibits/ people/budget/budgetscreen.htm to connect with an interactive site that gives them an opportunity to create a budget for Louisiana. The site gives information on budget categories and students have the opportunity to assign a percentage of state funds to each category. BLM Assign students Louisiana s State Budget from page 50 in the BLM book. Guiding Question 3-9 Reading Strategy Compare and Contrast Have students create a graphic organizer to compare and contrast the various types of taxes and fees that Louisiana citizens pay. Type of Tax Excise tax Sales tax Severance tax Income tax Guiding Question 3-9 Description Imposed on products like gasoline, alcohol, soft drinks, and cigarettes Imposed on purchased items Imposed on the removal of natural resources, ie., timber, oil, and gas Imposed on the amount of money one makes which taxes most directly affect Louisiana s citizens. Guiding Question 3-9 Figure 11 Budget Revenues, Interagency transfers, 7.51% Federal grants, 31.01% Other funds, 8.37% Fees and self-generated revenues, 12.21% The budget is prepared for a fiscal year. Louisiana s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. General fund nonrecurring revenue, 0.08% Taxes, fees, and licenses, 40.83% Figure 12 Budget Expenditures, Louisiana also has a severance tax, a charge for removing (severing) natural resources from the state. Louisiana s severance tax is imposed on timber and on minerals such as oil and gas. The severance tax is based on the idea that resources taken from the environment will not be available for future generations. Individual citizens pay a state income tax each year. Louisiana businesses also pay income taxes. Other taxes include taxes on vehicles. Louisiana has lower property taxes than most other states. One reason for this is the homestead exemption, which excuses part of the value of the home from the property tax. In other words, the homeowner pays property tax only on the value of a home above the level set by the homestead exemption. For example, with a $75,000 homestead exemption, a home valued at $100,000 would pay property tax on $25,000. Other Sources of Revenue In addition to taxes, the state receives other revenue. This includes fees such as drivers licenses and business licenses. The state also earns interest by investing state funds. Oil and gas royalties also bring more money to the state. Companies that extract these resources pay the landowner for them. Louisiana collects royalties from state-owned land. The state has won court disputes with two major oil companies about royalties owed on state land. The companies paid hundreds of millions of dollars to the state in these settlements. 124 Chapter 4 Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities Logical/Mathematical To help students understand income tax, give them a salary figure and ask them to withhold 28% for federal income tax and 7% for state income tax. How much of their salary is left? Guiding Question 3-14 Public safety, 1.62% Executive Department, 2.71% All others, 10.78% Corrections, 2.12% Transportation/ Development, 2.06% Capital Outlay, 4.76% Education, 31.37% Ancillary Appropriations, 7.16% Dept. of Health and Hospitals, 31.41% Social Services, 4.52% Elected officials, 1.5% Who owns the oil in the Gulf of Mexico? This dispute between the federal government and the state has gone on for years. The federal government claimed the land and its valuable oil deposits that was three miles or more off the coast. Louisiana considered this too close and said the three-mile limit would deprive the state of its fair share of the royalties. Congress finally settled this dispute in From 1986 through 2001, the state received millions of dollars each year for past royalties. (The funds had been held until the issue was decided.) This money is called the 8g fund because 8g is the federal law that established the royalty settlement. The money was invested in a special fund for education, called the Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund. Another special fund invested for Louisiana came from the settlement of a nationwide lawsuit against the tobacco industry. The money from this settlement is invested in the Millennium Trust Fund and is divided between health and education needs. Louisiana and other states also receive money from the federal government. These funds help the state carry out programs required by Congress. Federal matching funds require the state to add money for the programs. About one-third of Louisiana s budget comes from federal funds. The government also borrows money by selling bonds to investors. Bonds are a way to borrow money for projects that require more money than the state has available. Another source of money for the state budget is gaming, the legal term for gambling. Louisiana has joined other states in holding weekly lotteries. Riverboat casinos also pay special taxes. The state receives huge revenues from these sources, but critics say problems make it a bad decision. Check for Understanding 1. What are two functions of the executive branch? The legislative branch? The judicial branch? 2. What are the two parts of the legislative branch? 3. What are the two categories of state law? What is the purpose of each? 4. What is meant by a balanced budget? 5. Name three kinds of taxes. Top: Homeowners pay property taxes on the value of any real estate they own. However, the homestead exemption excludes a portion of a home s value from taxation. Owners of smaller homes, like this one in Cheneyville, may pay little or no property tax at all. Above: Natural resources, such as the timber shown here, that are removed from the land are subject to a severance tax. Section 2 Structure of State Government 125 Assign students State Government on the Internet from page 51 in the BLM book. Guiding Question 3-6 what funds the state of Louisiana receives from royalties. what funds the state receives from a tobacco settlement. what funds the state receives from the federal government. how the government can borrow money. (Comprehension) ASSESS Check for Understanding 1. Executive: sign or veto bills, prepare budget, make appointments Legislative: pass bills, override executive veto Judicial: judicial review, enforce laws 2. Senate and House of Representatives 3. Criminal law protects society from wrongdoing by an individual; Civil law brings a lawsuit to settle a dispute between two people or between an individual and a business or government. 4. A budget where revenues (amounts of money collected) and expenditures (amounts spent) match 5. Sales, income, excise, severance Alternative Assessment Have students outline the major divisions of the three branches of state government. Guiding Question 3-3 Lesson Closure Go around the room and ask each student to name a position in state government. Have them identify the name of the person who holds that position. T124 T125

10 SECTION 3 LOCAL GOVERNMENT INTRODUCE Outline A. Parish Government 1. Police Jury 2. Other Parish Government Plans 3. School Boards B. Municipalities Materials Textbook, pages Blackline Masters Parish Government, page 52 How the Parishes Got Their Names, page 53 Local Officials, page 54 Teacher CD-ROM Transparencies Online textbook mystatehistory.com Focus Have students locate the parish in which they live. Ask them to brainstorm information about their home parish. Ask them to complete a KWL chart to determine what they know about local government. TEACH Research Activity Have students create a chart containing the various forms of local government in Louisiana. They may use the textbook or the Internet to find information. Two good Internet sites are and Forty-six of Louisiana s sixty-four parishes have the traditional police jury form of government. The other eighteen operate under home rule charters, including four city-parish consolidations Orleans, East Baton Rouge, Terrebonne, and Lafayette. Guiding Questions 3-4 and 3-6 Objectives GLE 21: Describe the various forms of local government in Louisiana. GLE 22: Describe the powers/responsibilities and limits of power for government officials at the local and state levels in Louisiana. GLE 23: Identify qualifications and terms of office for key leaders/ representatives at the state and local levels. GLE 24: Identify current government leaders at the state, local, and national levels in the United States. GLE 29: Identify types of taxes collected by the local, state, and federal government. GLE 56: Identify various types of taxes and user fees and predict their consequences. Parish Government The primary local government division is the parish. Louisiana has had its present number of sixty-four parishes since The parish government and courthouse are located in the town or city known as the parish seat. In other states, these are called counties and county seats. Why does Louisiana have parishes instead of counties? During Spanish colonial Louisiana, the church divisions were called parishes, and local government followed these divisions. In 1807, the territory of Louisiana used these parishes for local government divisions. Police Jury During Louisiana s Spanish colonial days, the local government resembled today s parish police jury. A group of citizens was chosen to supervise or police the parish. This group was referred to as a jury. Forty-six of Louisiana s parishes still refer to the parish-elected government as the police jury. Today, the police jury has five to fifteen elected members. The police jury passes local laws for the parish government. The police jury is also responsible for building and maintaining parish roads and buildings such Above: The parish courthouse is the seat of government for a parish. This is the DeSoto Parish courthouse in Mansfield. Section 3 Local Governments 127 Using Photos and Illustrations Compare the photo of the courthouse in DeSoto Parish with those described in Section 2. Research Project Have students research to find information on the history of one of Louisiana s parishes. Have them complete a poster highlighting the information they find, including population statistics, geographical features, industry, and fairs and festivals. to describe the purpose of the police jury. (Comprehension) how identifying local divisions of government as parishes is a reflection of their cultural heritage. (Application) T126 T127

11 Have students an 8th grade classroom in a school in each of Louisiana s 64 parishes. in each of the other parishes to take a photograph of their local courthouse and it to your classroom. Make a bulletin board display or calendar using the photos of the courthouses found throughout Louisiana. Writing Activity Have students write a description of their local courthouse. Share the description and photos with students in neighboring parishes. Verbal/Linguistic Have students interview a local government official who has an office in the local courthouse. Ask what services that department offers. Spotlight Louisiana s Oldest Courthouses The courthouse is the government building in each parish. Each courthouse is located in the town or city known as the parish seat, meaning the seat of justice and government. In some parishes, the earliest court trials were held in rough log buildings that were also homes. The oldest courthouse building in the state is no longer used as a courthouse because the parish seat was moved to another town. The town of Jackson was the first seat of Feliciana Parish. Jackson s small courthouse, dating from 1820, still stands today. When the parish was divided into East and West Feliciana, the courthouse was relocated to Clinton. The Clinton courthouse was built in 1840 and is the oldest Louisiana courthouse still in use today. Three other courthouses were also built before the Civil War. The Lafourche Parish Courthouse was built in 1856, the St. Martin Parish Courthouse was built in 1859, and the Claiborne Parish Courthouse was built in All of these buildings have the Greek columns that chitectural style also shows the connection between reflect the strong interest in the classic Greek culture that was part of antebellum Louisiana. This ar- the Greek philosophers. American democracy and the democratic ideals of 128 Chapter 4 Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities The courthouse in Jackson is the oldest courthouse building in the state (opposite page, above). Only four courthouses built before the Civil War are still being used. They are in Clinton (above left), Thibodaux (above right), St. Martinville (opposite page, below), and Homer (below). Section 3 Local Governments 129 Civic Participation to attend a meeting of the local government. Have them make note of the issues that are discussed. Guiding Question 3-11 Logical/Mathematical Have students identify the ten fastest-growing parishes in Louisiana and show that growth on a graph detailing population from 1950 through (NOTE: Have students access census information on the Internet to find the data.) You might want them to also look at data since the 2000 census. T128 T129

12 BLM Assign How the Parishes Got Their Names on page 53 in the BLM book. Social Studies Skill Being an Informed Citizen Have students follow stories in the local newspaper or local television news concerning local government offices and/or officials. Set aside 5-10 minutes on certain days to have students bring in their news stories to share with the class. Have students brainstorm services that are provided from tax monies. Ask them if parish money should pay for these services. Guiding Question 3-14 Civic Participation Have students select a local concern, e.g., potholes, a stop sign blocked by a tree, missed trash pickup. Have them write a letter to local government officials asking that they look into correcting the problem. Guiding Questions 3-5 and 3-11 Have students log on to to access the home page for each of Louisiana s parishes. Have each student go to a different parish home page to find information including the type of local government, the names of local government officials. Guiding Questions 3-4, 3-6 In 1810, the office of sheriff was created. Above: The courthouse in Houma is the center of Terrebonne Parish government, a home rule parish. as the jail and the courthouse. The jury has the authority to raise money for parish expenses. The police jury also appoints the parish registrar of voters and the treasurer. Parishes have other elected officials. The sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer and tax collector. The assessor determines the value of property for tax purposes. The district attorney is the chief prosecutor who represents the parish in criminal cases. The clerk of court maintains the court records and other official records such as marriage licenses. These officials are not under the control of local government; they report only to the voters. The parish police juries sometimes create special districts to perform a specific service for a local area. The most common special districts include school, fire protection, levee, and water districts. Other Parish Government Plans Louisiana s current constitution gave local governments more power than did earlier constitutions. This power of political subdivisions to govern themselves is known as home rule. In other words, parishes and municipalities can manage their own affairs unless specifically prohibited by the state constitution or state law. Before this constitutional change, the legislature directed much of the business of local governments. Some parishes have a home rule charter, which allows a community to organize its local government in a form other than the police jury. These other 130 Chapter 4 Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities Multidisciplinary Activity Art Have students use magazines to make a mobile illustrating at least twelve services that are provided to citizens by their parish government. if there are some services that your parish does not provide that you think are needed. What are they? Students might add a line to their mobile and designate it as Desired Services. forms of government include an elected parish president and an elected parish council or an elected parish council and an administrator selected by this council. Some of the largest urban areas, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge, have one combined government for the city and the parish government. School Boards Louisiana s local school systems have the same political boundaries as the parishes, except that there are four additional city districts in Baker, Bogalusa, Monroe, and Zachary. A school board is elected from districts based on population, and the members serve four-year concurrent terms. In other words, all school board members are elected at the same time and their terms all end at the same time. The school boards are special local governments that are not part of parish governments. However, they are more closely regulated by the state than the other local governments. Local school boards receive money from the state for the education of the children in the district. A local school board can also collect funds through taxes and bonds. The board appoints a superintendent to supervise the school system. Above: The West Feliciana Parish government is a police jury. Left: School districts are separate bodies, which are not controlled by the local government. Section 3 Local Governments 131 Research Activity Have students find the names of current members of their school board as well as the name of the local superintendent of schools. Guiding Question 3-6 Logical/Mathematical Find out how much money the school system budgeted and how the funds were expended. Prepare a circle graph illustrating the expenditures. Prepare a bar graph to illustrate sources of revenue for the school system. to describe the advantages and disadvantages of having all members of the board of education serve concurrently. to brainstorm ways in which their local school is regulated by the state. Research Activity to check the agenda of the school board. Find what types of issues are discussed at school board meetings. BLM Assign Local Officials on page 54 in the BLM book. Guiding Question 3-6 If your school has a student council, ask students how student councils are like local government, i.e., is there a president or other executive figures. what services a student council provides. how a student council is similar to a city council. in what ways a student council can serve students. T130 T131

13 Write the name of your community (town or city) on the overhead in large letters. Go around the room and ask each student to contribute one fact they know about their community. Record the facts on the overhead or chalkboard. Add to the list as you continue a discussion of municipalities. Write the words SERVICES and PROTECTION on the chalkboard or overhead. Have students define the two terms and discuss ways their municipal government serves them and protects them. List their responses on the board. Make sure their examples include a range of fire and police protection, transportation, parks and recreation. ASSESS Check for Understanding 1. Police jury 2. Sheriff, assessor, district attorney, clerk of court 3. President and council; council and administrator; city/parish consolidation 4. To administer local schools Alternative Assessment Have students list a service provided by parish or municipal government. Have students name a local government position and identify the person who currently holds that position. Lesson Closure Have students reflect on their parish and community. Have them describe at least five positive factors associated with each. Have students tell at least three things they learned about their parish or community. Right: Municipalities, such as Gretna, provide such services as police and fire protection to residents. Figure 13 Louisiana s Ten Largest Cities, New Orleans 484, Baton Rouge 227, Shreveport 200, Lafayette 110, Lake Charles 71, Kenner 70, Bossier City 56, Monroe 53, Alexandria 46, New Iberia 32,623 Municipalities Within the political boundaries of the parishes are municipalities (cities and towns) of different sizes. Some people who live in a parish also live in a municipality, while others live in the rural area of the parish and have no municipal government. The smallest municipalities are villages, with a population from 150 to 999. A village becomes a town when the population reaches 1,000. An increase to 5,000 earns the label of city. Each local government elects a mayor and a council or a group of commissioners. Check for Understanding 1. What kind of government do most parishes have? 2. Name two officials elected for a parish. 3. What is one other kind of parish government? 4. What is the purpose of the school board? 132 Chapter 4 Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities Have students compare the services provided by their community to the services provided by their parish. Discuss whether there is a duplication of services. Ask if it would be more economical to the taxpayers to have one local government (parish) rather than two local governments (parish and municipality). Why or why not? Multidisciplinary Activity Economics where municipal governments get the money to provide goods and services. to research their local city or town s budget for the past year. Make two circle graphs showing where the revenue comes from and how the money is spent. Guiding Question 3-9 Section4 Citizens and Government As you read, look for: the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and vocabulary terms open primary and lobbying. Abraham Lincoln described American democracy as a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. When people join together to form a government, each citizen is an equal member of that government. All have rights and Civic: Relating to a citizen responsibilities. Responsibility for personal actions and respect for the rights of others are expected from Figure 14 Voter Qualifications citizens. Civic responsibilities include obeying the law, paying taxes, and serving on a jury. To register to vote in Louisiana, a citizen must be Citizens have personal rights that are named in the U.S. Constitution and the state constitution. These include free speech, freedom of A U.S. citizen At least 18 years old prior to the next election religion, and the right to vote. Voting is both a right and a responsibility of citizens. Not in prison or have been convicted of a felony Voting and Elections In 1971, the Twenty-sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution lowered the voting age from twenty-one to eighteen. This is now the legal age for voting in every state, including Louisiana. Voters must live in the parish where they are registering to vote. They may register at the registrar of voters office, by mail, or even at the Office of Motor Vehicles. Seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds at some Caddo Parish high schools registered to vote at school on a special voter registration day. They wanted to be ready to vote in the next election. Statewide elections in Louisiana are held as open primaries. All candidates from all parties compete in the first, or primary, election. There are no limits based on political party in the Louisiana open primary. Voters can vote for any candidate and are not limited to voting for a candidate from their political party. A voter can register as a member of the Republican Party and vote for a candidate from the Democratic Party. The reverse is also true. Not judged mentally incompetent A person must register to vote at least 30 days before an election in order to vote in that election. A resident of Louisiana and the parish in which the person seeks to vote Section 4 Citizens and Government 133 Objectives GLE 27: Describe ways by which public policies are formed, including the role of lobbyists, special interest groups, and constituents. GLE 36: Explain how political parties, campaigns, and elections provide opportunities for citizens to participate in government. GLE 40: Describe ways by which citizens can organize, monitor, or influence government and politics at the local, state, and national levels. GLE 41: Explain the importance of being an informed citizen on public issues, recognizing propaganda, and knowing the voting issues. SECTION 4 CITIZENS AND GOVERNMENT INTRODUCE Outline A. Voting and Elections B. Political Parties C. Campaigns D. Lobbying Materials Textbook, pages Blackline Masters Oath of Allegiance, page 55 The Electoral College, page 56 Responsibilities of Citizenship, page 57 Being Informed, page 58 Teacher CD-ROM Transparencies Online textbook mystatehistory.com Focus Have students complete a citizenship acrostic. Have them write CITIZENSHIP vertically on a piece of paper and then write a word that describes citizenship for each letter. TEACH to brainstorm specific things they can do during the next several weeks to improve their school or community. Guiding Question 3-13 BLM Assign Oath of Allegiance on page 55 in the BLM book. Have students go to uscis.gov/ graphics/exec/natz/natztest.asp to take a sample test that is given to immigrants who want to become U.S. citizens. BLM Assign The Electoral College from page 56 in the BLM book. T132 T133

14 BLM Assign Responsibilities of Citizenship on page 57 in the BLM book. Guiding Question 3-13 why they are asked to choose a political party when they register to vote. (Comprehension) what is the purpose of political parties. (Comprehension) to identify pros and cons of going to the polls to vote. (Analysis) to discuss how they would feel if they were not permitted to vote. Compare their right to vote to voting in other countries around the world. Multidisciplinary Activity Art Have students brainstorm a list of reasons why people do not vote. Suggest ways to assure that citizens do vote. to make a poster encouraging people to vote. (NOTE: You may want to present their ideas to Louisiana s secretary of state.) Civic Participation Have students describe ways by which citizens can organize, monitor, or influence government and politics at the local, state, and national levels. Have them identify one or more ways they as individuals impact government and politics. Guiding Question 3-13 Above: Democrat Kathleen Blanco and Republican Bobby Jindal held several debates during the 2003 runoff election for governor. In addition to campaign buttons, political candidates have given away nail files, pocket combs, paper fans, and rulers printed with their names and campaign slogans. The two candidates receiving the most votes then have a runoff election. The two candidates could be from the same political party or from different political parties. Political Parties Political parties are organizations of people who have similar ideas about how government should be run. The political party system in the United States developed early in our country s history. The first two political parties formed around Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. These two men who served in the cabinet of President George Washington had very different views on the role of government. Since that time, parties have come and gone, but the United States has, for the most part, a two-party system. Today, the two major political parties are the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. More Louisiana voters are registered as Democrats than as Republicans. In recent years, however, many of those Democrats have voted for Republican candidates. Louisiana voters often vote more by faction than by party. Groups of voters with common interests, attitudes, and goals tend to vote alike. Factions in Louisiana have included Catholics, Protestants, Acadians, African Americans; North Louisiana, South Louisiana, New Orleans; and urban or rural. Some of these groups overlap; for example, North Louisiana is mostly rural and Protestant. 134 Chapter 4 Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities Have students access or to find historical as well as current information on the Democratic and Republican Parties. Divide the students into groups. Have each group research one of these topics: History of the Democratic Party History of the Republican Party Current Platform of the Democrats Current Platform of the Republicans History of the Donkey symbol History of the Elephant symbol Campaigns All candidates for public office campaign to win votes. Technology has changed campaign styles. In the past, the best way to get votes was to speak directly to the people in the town square. Candidates once walked the streets of the town, going door to door to ask for votes. Today districts are larger, people are busier, and television reaches many more people than personal contacts can. Candidates hire political consultants to run their campaigns. These consultants use public opinion polls surveys of a random group of people to help their candidates. The consultants also plan the television spots and newspaper advertisements. This increased use of the media requires much more money. Television, radio, and newspaper advertising are expensive. Fund-raising is now essential for candidates and political parties. Concern about campaign financing has increased as more and more money is spent. Campaign finance laws limit the amount of money an individual or group can contribute. Candidates must also report their campaign spending and contributors names to a state campaign board. Lobbying Trying to influence a legislator about a proposed law is called lobbying. Every citizen can be a lobbyist. Lobbyists write letters to legislators or visit them at the Capitol. Some lobbyists work as volunteers, while others are paid to speak on behalf of organizations. Paid and volunteer lobbyists may testify at committee hearings about the possible effects of proposed laws. Citizens with a common interest or concern form groups to lobby the legislature for their cause. In the early 1980s, citizens lobbied for laws to reduce the high number of accidents and deaths caused by drunk drivers. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) convinced the legislature to increase the penalties for DWI (driving while under the influence). The influence of paid lobbyists is part of the political debate in Baton Rouge and in Washington. Laws have been passed to set guidelines and limits on the actions of lobbyists. Paid lobbyists often have large sums of money available from the groups they represent. Using that money to buy influence is illegal. Check for Understanding 1. What is one responsibility of a citizen? 2. What is one right of a citizen? 3. What is an open primary? 4. What is a political party? 5. What is the purpose of a political campaign? 6. What is the debate about the influence of lobbyists? Lesson Closure Have students write a description of what they would change about the election process. Or, you may want them to describe how they, as students, could become involved in the election process. Have students give an example of how the democratic process has been used to institute change in Louisiana. Guiding Question 3-11 Above: Citizens show their interest and involvement in elections in various ways. These homemade signs appeared on a St. Martinville lawn. The term lobbyist is said to have been coined by President Ulysses Grant. He used the term to describe the people who waited in the lobby of the Willard Hotel hoping to get his attention. Section 4 Citizens and Government 135 Alternative Assessment Use the mock election as an alternative assessment. Evaluate students on how well they display their understanding of the election process. You may want to develop a rubric to assess their understanding. Group Activity Have students conduct a mock election. Tell students they will select candidates, have a campaign, and choose the winner. One major concern of today s political process is the amount of money spent on campaigning. Ask students how campaign funds are raised and if there should be spending limits. Group Activity Divide the class into groups of four. Have each group represent a special interest group that wants to lobby the legislature (e.g., Division of Tourism, Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Education Association, seafood industry). Have the group develop a proposal to enact into law and choose one of its members to speak to the whole class (which will represent the lawmakers) in an attempt to gain their support for a specific bill. Have the class vote for the group that made the most effective argument. Guiding Question 3-8 ASSESS Check for Understanding 1. Obey laws, pay taxes, serve on juries 2. Freedom of speech and religion, right to vote 3. Voters can vote for any candidate and are not limited to voting for a candidate from their own political party. 4. An organization of people with similar ideas about how government should be run 5. To win votes 6. How much influence they should have T134 T135

15 Answers to Questions 1. All the electors from every state 2. To elect the president of the United States based on the votes cast in each state 3. The number of representatives in Congress 4. The system has worked well for 200 years, and changing it may cause new problems 5. The system is not fair because the candidate who won the popular vote might not win the electoral vote 6. Bush/Cheney Verbal/Linguistic Have students debate or discuss the Electorial College system. Give students the following arguments for and against the College. Students can decide the point of view they will represent and prepare comments. Against A candidate may win the popular vote but lose the electoral vote. There may be faithless electors who would not vote according to their state s election. The possibility of having the election decided by the House of Representatives is not a democratic vote by the citizens. In the House, each state has one vote, which penalizes states with large populations. Since each state has two electors that are not based on population, rural states have an advantage. For Despite some problems, the system has worked. Changing the system may have unforeseen and unintended consequences. The system encourages a two party system. A direct election could lead to many parties, making it harder to govern. The system acknowledges population centers by giving urban areas electoral power. Meeting Expectations What is the Electoral College? The president of the United States is elected state by a winner-take-all system. That is, the winner in the state, using a system based on population. Each state s election gets all the state s electoral votes. official vote is cast by a representative group of people The winning candidate s electors become the official state electors. They cast their state s electoral called electors. The Electoral College is the name for the entire group of electors from every state. votes for their party s candidate. After the electors The concept of the Electoral College was established by the U.S. Constitution. The members of the jority of the electoral votes is elected president. from all states vote, the candidate who wins a ma- Constitutional Convention debated several methods The Electoral College system has been debated since of selecting the president. They considered the role its beginning. In the elections of 1824, 1876, 1888, of the states in the new republic and balanced the and 2000, the candidate who won the popular vote interests of small states and large states. They compromised to create the plan that provides for an in- College say this shows that the system is not fair be- did not win the electoral vote. Critics of the Electoral direct election of the president. cause more people voted for the other candidate. Supporters say the system has worked for two hundred The Constitution sets the number of electors for each state equal to the number of its senators and years and changing it may create new concerns. representatives in Congress. Louisiana has 9 electors 1. What is the Electoral College? (for its 2 senators + 7 representatives). Each state 2. What is its main purpose? legislature decides how the electors are chosen for 3. What determines how many electors a state has? the state and how the votes will be distributed. 4. What is one argument for keeping the Electoral How are state electors chosen, and how do they College system? decide who to vote for? First, each political party 5. Why do some people want to do away with the chooses a list of electors for its candidate. Then, on Electoral College system? election day, the registered voters vote for their candidates. In most states, including Louisiana, there is in the 2004 presidential election? 6. Which candidate won Louisiana s electoral votes 2004 United States Presidential Election United States Louisiana Popular Vote Electoral Vote Popular Vote Electoral Vote Bush/Cheney (R) 62,039, ,102,169 9 Kerry/Edwards (D) 59,027, ,299 0 Other 1,157, ,638 0 Totals 122,284, ,943, Chapter 4 Louisiana s Government: Rights and Responsibilities Reading Strategy to define college. Remind them that some words can have more than one definition. Explain the Electoral College as a group of people who serve to elect the president. Another college that elects a leader is the College of Cardinals, which elects the Pope. Ask them to connect this with their definition of a college. Point out that an academic college is also a group of people with a common purpose. In Maine and Nebraska, two electors vote for the statewide winner and the other electors vote by congressional district. Another proposal for changing the electoral vote would have each state s electors cast votes in proportion to the distribution of votes in the state. how this is different and what impact it might have. Chapter Summary Democratic Government Government is an organization in a society with the authority to make, carry out, and enforce laws. In a democracy, this power comes from the people and is limited by the people. A democratic government protects individual rights and promotes the common good. Louisiana government has roots in the state s colonial days, with some of today s laws based on French and Spanish ideas. When Louisiana became a state in 1812, a constitution was written. The United States government, the state government, and local governments have specific powers and responsibilities as described in the U.S. Constitution and the Louisiana constitution. The U.S. Constitution gives some powers to states, shares other powers with the states, and keeps some powers only for the federal government. The state constitution receives its power from the U.S. Constitution and the people of the state. The Structure of State Government The state government has three branches the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch and a separation of powers among those branches. Each branch of state government checks and balances the power of the other two branches. The executive branch carries out the laws and runs the government. The legislative branch makes the laws. The Louisiana legislature has two bodies the house of representatives and the senate. The judicial branch interprets and applies the laws. Louisiana has two kinds of law civil and criminal. Above: There is a seat for each of the 105 members in the state house of representatives chamber. The state court system has three levels: district courts, courts of appeal, and the Louisiana supreme court. The state budget is an annual plan for receiving and spending money. The money comes mainly from taxes but also from some other sources. Local Governments The state has sixty-four parishes, and most parishes have a police jury form of government. Cities and towns also have local governments. A school board is a special local government. Citizens and Government Citizens have rights and responsibilities. You can vote when you are 18. Candidates campaign to win votes. A candidate is usually a member of a political party. Elections in Louisiana have the open primary system. Chapter Summary 137 Think, Pair, Share to review the main points covered in the chapter. Then pair students and ask them to discuss the main points with one another. Body/Kinesthetic Have students write questions to illustrate the main points in the chapter. You might divide the class into four groups and assign one of these main headings Democratic Government, The Structure of State Government, Local Governments, and Citizens and Government to each group. After they have written the questions, organize them into four levels of difficulty. Then play baseball. Divide the class into two teams. Name two captains. Determine which team will be at bat first and allow the captains to submit a batting order. Then follow the batting order and ask one question at a time. Allow each batter to choose anything from a single (easiest question) to a home run (most difficult question). Follow the rules of regular baseball to determine outs and runs. T136 T137