The Role of Legislators in Louisiana
What Legislators Do and How They Work
Legislators are members of the legislature who write and pass laws. They are elected. In Louisiana, legislators are part-time and usually have other jobs. Even though they are part-time, most legislators work long days, nights, and weekends. This includes work at the Capitol and attending meetings with other legislators and constituents.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Legislators are dedicated people who work for the public. Those long nights come at a cost.
- Legislators are elected to represent their constituents’ concerns. Constituents are people who live in the area the legislator represents.
- Legislators are people too! There is no need to be afraid to communicate with your legislator. They usually welcome input from advocates.
- They come from different backgrounds. They have different interests, experiences, and opinions.
- Do not make assumptions about legislators and their views. Some of the best disability advocates in the legislature do not have a family member with a disability.
- They are not experts on every policy issue the legislature considers.