Deck 9: Californias Local Governments:politics at the Grassroots

Question 1

The largest single source of revenue for California counties is

A)state and federal aid.
B)sales taxes.
C)property taxes.
D)service charges.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The powers and organization of cities and counties are laid out in

A)constitutions.
B)ordinances.
C)papers of incorporation.
D)charters.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The largest single source of revenue for California cities today is

A)federal grants.
B)sales taxes.
C)property taxes.
D)service charges.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Municipal courts must approve all local laws.

Question 5

The process of incorporation is launched by

A)petition by citizens or landowners.
B)petition by landowners only.
C)the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO).
D)corporations.

Question 6

All California counties are "home rule" or charter counties.

Question 7

The biggest spending area for cities is education.

Question 8

Voter turnout in cities that hold their elections separate from state and national elections is lower than cities that hold local elections at the same time as state and national elections.

Question 9

The process by which cities are established by citizens is incorporation.

Question 10

"Home rule" or "charter" cities have more discretion than "general law" cities in choosing structures of government.

Question 11

Unincorporated areas are governed by

A)the city.
B)the county.
C)a single special district.
D)the state.

Question 12

Once a city incorporates, it surrenders responsibility for most local services to the county.

Question 13

Minority candidates are more likely to win elections to city councils in communities using

A)at-large elections.
B)district elections.
C)isolated elections.
D)nonpartisan elections.

Question 14

The elected body that governs counties is

A)the board of supervisors.
B)the city council.
C)the council of governments (COG).
D)the board of trustees.

Question 15

Which type of tax was the biggest source of local revenues before voters passed Proposition 13 in 1978?

A)sales tax
B).income tax
C)property tax
D)sin taxes

Question 16

In most California cities, a city manager is appointed by

A)the city council.
B)the mayor with approval by the city council.
C)the board of supervisors.
D)the city's chief executive officer (CEO).

Question 17

"Fiscalization of land use" refers to local land use decisions based on the tax revenues projects might generate rather than the best overall use of the land.

Question 18

With Governor Brown's "realignment" of responsibilities shared by state and local governments the state took over some of the responsibilities previously allocated to counties.

Question 19

Most California cities use the council-manager system of government.

Question 20

The most numerous form of local government in California is

A)cities.
B)counties.
C)school districts.
D)special districts.

Question 21

Does California have too many local governments? What are the advantages of having so many? What would be the advantages of having fewer?

Question 22

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of district versus at-large city council elections.In your opinion, which is better? Why?

Question 23

What are the differences between a city, a county, and a special district? What do they have in common? Give examples of each.

Question 24

Governor Brown's realignment policy involves shifting some services previously provided by state government to counties in hopes of cost savings and improved services.Is this a good idea? Are there other state services that should be delegated to local governments?