Deck 1: California Government: Promise and Practice

Question 1

What did Proposition 28 change?

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

Answer 1

A

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

From 1912 to November 2018, how many initiatives has California had?

A) 318
B) 373
C) 209
D) 178

Answer 3

B

Question 4

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 5

In 2016, California's poverty rate was

A) 8.5 percent.
B) 12.9 percent.
C) 14.3 percent.
D) 19.6 percent.

Question 6

A republican system of government is one where

A) the courts make the majority of the political decisions.
B) elected representatives make the decisions for the voters.
C) large numbers of citizens do not vote.
D) citizens control the political process through direct democracy.

Question 7

In 2010 the voters changed the state's party primary elections to a

A) top-two primary system.
B) a run-off system.
C) nonpartisan system.
D) recall primary system.

Question 8

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, California's median household income in 2012-2016 compared to the national median income was

A) $8,000 lower.
B) $8,500 higher.
C) almost the same.
D) unknown due to a lack of data.

Question 9

What are the term limits for statewide offices such as 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 10

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 11

Over the last 35 years, income equality in California has

A) decreased.
B) increased.
C) remained the same.
D) not been studied.

Question 12

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 13

California is home to approximately ________ people.

A) 19 million
B) 28 million
C) 39 million
D) 52 million

Question 14

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 rather than improved it.
C) They provided citizens with greater access to legislators.
D) They greatly reduced the number of lobbyists.

Question 15

To raise or lower taxes in California requires a ________ vote of the absolute number of legislators in both houses.

A) 50 percent
B) two-thirds
C) 60 percent
D) three-quarters

Question 16

As of 2014 there were approximately ________undocumented immigrants in California.

A) 1.5 million
B) 2.4 million
C) 500,000
D) 5 million

Question 17

Voters in the inland regions of California are

A) liberal and aligned with the Democratic Party.
B) conservative but still aligned with the Democratic Party.
C) more likely to be independents.
D) conservative and aligned with the Republican Party.

Question 18

In general, the initiative has ceased to promote direct democracy and has become a tool of

A) Internet providers.
B) whistle-blowers.
C) local school districts.
D) special interests.

Question 19

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

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

Question 20

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

A) 41
B) 39
C) 65
D) 53

Question 21

Why do California voters support term limits? How have term limits been implemented in California?

Question 22

What is one of the major problems California faces in balancing 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 of the legislature to raise or lower taxes.
D) Legislators have used filibusters to stop the budget committee.

Question 23

Why is it so difficult to raise taxes in California? What impact does this have on the state's budget plans?

Question 24

California was declared a sanctuary state, meaning that

A) it pursues complete religious freedom.
B) it invites refugees to settle in California.
C) the state limits cooperation with the federal government in the enforcement of immigration laws.
D) it protects businesses operating solely within the state.

Question 25

Why is California considered to have a more majoritarian form of government than other states?

Question 26

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

Question 27

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

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

Question 28

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

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