Deck 1: California Government: Promise and Practice

Question 1

From 2008 to 2012, California's median household income compared to the national median was

A) $8,000 lower.
B) $8,000 higher.
C) almost the same.
D) unknown due to a lack of data.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

In California, Proposition 140

A) eliminated affirmative action programs.
B) established term limits for members of the Assembly and Senate.
C) legalized marijuana for medical purposes.
D) established the three strikes law.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

A majoritarian government is one where

A) large numbers of people do not vote.
B) citizens have the power to influence political decisions through direct democracy.
C) direct democracy plays no role.
D) the courts make the majority of political decisions.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

From 1904 to 2012, how many initiatives has California had?

A) 352
B) 329
C) 209
D) 178

Question 5

What are the term limits for statewide offices such as the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state?

A) one term (6 years)
B) two terms (8 years)
C) two terms (12 years)
D) unlimited terms

Question 6

How many representatives from California serve in the House of Representatives?

A) 41
B) 39
C) 55
D) 53

Question 7

Most political observers believe that term limits have had what impact on the state legislature?

A) They reduced contributions to incumbents.
B) They worsened the legislature, not improved it.
C) They provided citizens with greater access to legislators.
D) They greatly reduced the number of lobbyists.

Question 8

What did Proposition 28 change?

A) It allows legislators to serve 12 years.
B) It allows the governor to seek unlimited terms.
C) It lowered the requirement for tax increases from two-thirds to a simple majority.
D) It permits the governor to appoint mayors in charter cities.

Question 9

California, in terms of its economy, is ranked

A) within the top ten economies of the world.
B) at a low level because of the loss of manufacturing jobs.
C) below most third world countries.
D) nineteenth because of the shale oil revolution.

Question 10

The largest number of immigrants living in California came from

A) Canada.
B) Philippines.
C) Mexico.
D) China.

Question 11

In 2010, California had approximately ________ citizens.

A) 19 million
B) 28 million
C) 37 million
D) 49 million

Question 12

California's government is more majoritarian than other states because of

A) direct democracy.
B) a greater number of lobbyists.
C) the plural executive.
D) low voter turnout.

Question 13

In California, the constitution requires the state budget to be passed by

A) a simple majority (50 percent plus 1) in both the Assembly and Senate.
B) 51 percent of the total membership in both the Assembly and Senate.
C) two-thirds of the members present in both the Assembly and Senate.
D) two-thirds of the total membership in both the Assembly and Senate.

Question 14

The California taxation system is dependent on income taxes paid on

A) real estate valuations.
B) interest paid on state bonds.
C) capital gains from the sale of stock.
D) savings deposit interest.

Question 15

California compared to other states

A) has less cultural diversity.
B) has about the same cultural diversity.
C) has more cultural diversity.
D) is unconcerned about cultural diversity.

Question 16

The proportion of immigrants over age five who speak English at home is

A) 40 percent.
B) 61 percent.
C) 72 percent.
D) 90 percent.

Question 17

From 2015 on, California's yearly income and expenditures are projected to

A) break even.
B) have an average surplus of $8 billion.
C) have an average deficit of $8 billion.
D) require massive borrowing.

Question 18

Proposition 11, passed in 2008, gave the power to redistrict to

A) the Assembly.
B) the Senate.
C) a citizens' commission.
D) the California Supreme Court.

Question 19

From 2008 to 2012, what was California's poverty rate?

A) 8.5 percent
B) 13.7 percent
C) 15.3 percent
D) 16.2 percent

Question 20

The percentage of foreign-born persons living in California is approximately

A) 12 percent.
B) 20 percent.
C) 27 percent.
D) 50 percent.

Question 21

What impact has term limits had on legislators in California and why have voters favored term limits?

Question 22

Why is it necessary to study California politics and government?

Question 23

What impacts will continued population growth have on government at the state and local levels?

Question 24

What are some of the differences between liberals and conservatives regarding the political reforms that are needed in California? What are the major arguments made by both sides?

Question 25

In 2003, the people of California recalled Governor

A) Pete Wilson.
B) Ronald Reagan.
C) Arnold Schwarzenegger.
D) Gray Davis.

Question 26

Which one of the following reform ideas is suggested by liberals?

A) instituting performance base budgeting
B) restricting the initiative process to allow for more citizen participation
C) engaging in multi-year budgeting and planning
D) imposing caps on public sector pensions

Question 27

Proposition 25, which passed in November 2010,

A) maintained the two-thirds vote in both houses to pass a budget.
B) increased the requirement to pass a budget to 75 percent in both houses.
C) gave full power to the governor in the budget process.
D) lowered the requirement to pass a budget to 50 percent plus one in both houses.

Question 28

What is one of the major problems California faces to balance the budget?

A) Legislators do not attend the necessary budget meetings, thereby causing serious delays.
B) California's constitution requires citizen approval of the budget before the legislature can pass a budget bill.
C) California requires a two-thirds vote to raise or lower taxes.
D) Legislators have used filibusters to stop the budget committee.

Question 29

Which one of the following reform ideas is suggested by conservatives?

A) public financing of elections
B) investing more in K-12 education
C) encouraging state and local leaders to reform public pensions
D) changing the legislature from full-time to part-time

Question 30

What are the major factors that continue to fuel a crisis in California and how can they be changed?