The legislature may override a veto by a two thirds vote, but this has occurred only once in modern times. The line item veto allows the governor to remove from the appropriation bills pet projects or programs tacked on by legislators. The governor may call the legislature into special session and specify the subjects to be considered. In recent years, special sessions have become more numerous than regular. The governor has the right to grant reprieves, issue pardons, commute sentences and remit fines and forfeitures for crimes against the state.
Reprieves are delays in the imposition of a sentence.
To commute a sentence is to reduce it while a pardon is a full release from sentence. In this role, the governor serves as the court of last resort. The governor is the commander in chief of the state's military forces, except when they are called into federal service. The governor may call up the national guard to preserve law and order, suppress insurrection, repel invasion or in emergencies. Louisiana's forces are frequently called to assist residents in floods and hurricanes.