Question 1

California is home to approximately ________ people.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

There are several reasons why it is difficult to raise taxes in California. One reason is the state's requirement for a two-thirds majority vote in the legislature to pass any tax increase. This makes it challenging to garner enough support from lawmakers to raise taxes. Additionally, California has a history of anti-tax sentiment among its residents, making it politically unpopular for elected officials to advocate for tax hikes.

The difficulty in raising taxes in California has a significant impact on the state's budget plans. Without the ability to increase revenue through taxes, the state may struggle to fund essential services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. This can lead to budget deficits, cuts to public programs, and a lack of investment in critical areas. Furthermore, the state may have to rely on borrowing or other financial maneuvers to make up for the shortfall, which can have long-term consequences for California's fiscal health. Overall, the difficulty in raising taxes in California can hinder the state's ability to adequately address its budgetary needs and provide for its residents.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

California voters support term limits fo

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 7

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

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 
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 10

Voters in the inland regions of California are

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 11

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

Accepted Answer

California is often considered to have a

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

Over the last 35 years, income equality in California has

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

A republican system of government is one where

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 15

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

Accepted Answer

The major factors that continue to fuel

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

As of 2014 there were approximately ________undocumented immigrants in California.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

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 
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 20

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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.

California is home to approximately ________ people.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Voters in the inland regions of California are

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

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

Over the last 35 years, income equality in California has

A republican system of government is one where

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

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

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

As of 2014 there were approximately ________undocumented immigrants in California.

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

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

The Constitution and the Progressive Legacy

Interest Groups and the Media in California

Parties and Elections in California

The California Legislature

The Governor and the Executive Branch

The California Judiciary

The State Budget and Budgetary Limitations

Local Government

Public Policy in California

Filters

Exam 1: California Government: Promise and Practice

California is home to approximately ________ people.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Voters in the inland regions of California are

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

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

Over the last 35 years, income equality in California has

A republican system of government is one where

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

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

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

As of 2014 there were approximately ________undocumented immigrants in California.

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

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

The Constitution and the Progressive Legacy

Interest Groups and the Media in California

Parties and Elections in California

The California Legislature

The Governor and the Executive Branch

The California Judiciary

The State Budget and Budgetary Limitations

Local Government

Public Policy in California

Filters