Governor of Louisiana

History

Louisiana ratified its first constitution in 1812. The document provided for a governor who would serve a four-year term and was responsible for appointing all non-elected state officials, William C. C. Claiborne served as the state's first governor.

The 1845 constitution eliminated minimum property requirements for gubernatorial candidates and weakened the qualifications for candidates seeking the office.

Election

Only qualified voters in Louisiana are eligible to be elected governor. Any candidates for the office must be at least 25 years of age and have resided in the state for the five previous years. Gubernatorial elections in Louisiana occur concurrently with the elections of other statewide officials in the year prior to the United States' next presidential election. The governor serves a four-year term and may serve no more than two terms consecutively. There are no limits on nonconsecutive terms.

Powers and duties

Executive authority and responsibilities

The governor is the chief executive of state government in Louisiana, though they share executive authority with other elected officials. They are empowered to request agency heads in state government to report to them on subjects relating to the operation of governmental departments. They are ex officio commander in chief of Louisiana's armed forces—except when the guard is pressed into federal service—and are authorized to call it into service "to preserve law and order, to suppress insurrection, to repel invasion, or in other times of emergency." They are empowered to grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations to convicted criminals.

Legislative authority and responsibilities

The governor is constitutionally required to report the legislature on "the affairs of state, including its complete financial condition" at the beginnings of their regular sessions. The constitution also obligates the governor to submit an annual operating budget proposal to the legislature as well as a "five-year capital outlay program" during each such session. The governor can exercise veto power over all bills passed by the legislature except proposed constitutional amendments. They have line-item veto power over appropriations bills and are constitutionally obligated to issue line-item vetoes when necessary to ensure that state government operates on a balanced budget. A veto can be overridden by a two-thirds majority vote of the legislature. The governor is also empowered to call the legislature into special session at their discretion to consider matters of their choosing.

Vacancies and succession

Article 4, Section 14 of the state constitution enumerates the line of succession in the event there is a permanent vacancy in the governor's office. The position of governor passes sequentially as follows: first to the lieutenant governor, then the secretary of state, then the attorney general, then the state treasurer, then the presiding officer of the Senate, and finally the Speaker of the House. They serve the remainder of the original governor's term. In the event of the governor's momentary absence from Louisiana, the constitution tasks the lieutenant governor with serving as acting governor. While there is no firm legal direction regarding temporary succession in the event both the governor and lieutenant governor are out of state at the same time, in practice the position of acting governor is passed down the line of succession enumerated for permanent vacancies.

Office structure

The office of the governor is made up of several departments: Chief of Staff's Office, Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Special Assistants to the Governor, Communications and Press, Constituent Services, Legal, Legislative Affairs, Policy, Programs and Planning, the Office of Coastal Activities, Boards and Commissions, Finance and Administration, and the Office of Elderly Affairs. There are 12 executive agencies under the governor's purview. The appointed secretaries which lead the agencies constitute the governor's cabinet. The governor's compensation is determined by law. They collect an annual salary of $130,000.

Political dynamics

Governors usually informally serve as the state leader of whatever political party to which they belong. In this political capacity they often raise funds for their party, recruit candidates for elections, and advocate for major policy proposals. Vetoes issued by governors of the state are typically not overturned.

Timeline

Notes

References

Works cited

References

1. Jones, Terry L.. (August 23, 2017). "Louisiana's Constitution of 1812". Country Roads Magazine.
2. Billings, Warren. (May 4, 2023). "Louisiana Constitutions". Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.
3. (January 11, 2020). "Louisiana inauguration overshadowed by football championship". Scripps Media, Inc.
4. (2016). "Louisiana inauguration history". Louisiana Television Broadcasting.
5. "Branches of Government : Executive Branch : Overview". Government of Louisiana.
6. "Branches of Government : Executive Branch : Judicial Powers". Government of Louisiana.
7. "Branches of Government : Executive Branch : Legislative Powers". Government of Louisiana.
8. Hutchinson, Piper. (June 21, 2023). "Louisiana's governor and lt. governor are out of the country. Who's running the state?". Louisiana Illuminator.
9. "Branches of Government : Executive Branch : Office Of The Governor". Government of Louisiana.
10. "Administration". Office of the Governor of Louisiana.
11. Rosato, Chris. (July 25, 2023). "Lawmakers consider additional funding for Office of Elderly Affairs". Gray Media Group.
12. "Branches of Government : Executive Branch : Officers". Government of Louisiana.
13. Stebbins, Samuel. (November 9, 2022). "How the Louisiana Governor's Salary Compares to Other States". Le Observateur.
14. Cross, Pearson. (July 11, 2023). "Louisiana Government in the Modern Era". Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.
15. Rojas, Rick. (July 23, 2023). "In Louisiana, a Democratic Governor Leans on Vetoes to Stall Conservative Agenda". The New York Times.