California Politics
Test Preparation
Course Introduction
This course offers an in-depth examination of the unique political landscape of California, exploring its historical development, governmental institutions, and contemporary policy challenges. Key topics include the states dynamic demographic changes, direct democracy mechanisms such as initiatives and referenda, the role of political parties, interest groups, and the media, as well as major issues like immigration, environmental policy, and economic inequality. Through analysis of case studies and current events, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how local, state, and federal interactions shape policy outcomes and civic life in the nations most populous and diverse state.
Recommended Textbook
Governing California in the Twenty-First Century 5th Edition by J. Theodore Anagnoson
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10 Chapters
301 Verified Questions
301 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/273 Page 2
Chapter 1: California Government: Promise and Practice
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4474
Sample Questions
Q1) 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: B
Q2) 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
Answer: D
Q3) 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.
Answer: A
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3
Chapter 2: The Constitution and the Progressive Legacy
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) A characteristic of California government that is NOT a legacy of the Progressive movement is
A) nonpartisan elections.
B) the office block ballot.
C) strong political parties.
D) the recall.
Answer: C
Q2) The Progressives believed that citizens supported the democratic process and would
A) invest whatever time and effort was needed to participate in elections.
B) rely on lobbyists to represent their interests.
C) favor strong political parties.
D) favor restricting the power of state courts.
Answer: A
Q3) In what year did California voters pass the initiative, referendum, and recall?
A) 1879
B) 1911
C) 1978
D) 2008
Answer: B
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Chapter 3: Interest Groups and the Media in California
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4476
Sample Questions
Q1) The Political Reform Act of 1974 was amended by ________, which set out campaign contribution limits for members of the executive branch including the governor.
A) Proposition 8
B) Proposition 13
C) Proposition 34
D) Proposition 187
Answer: C
Q2) Who made the following statement in Chapter 3: "To hell with the governor of California. I'm the governor of the legislature."
A) Earl Warren
B) Jessie Unruh
C) Arthur Samish
D) Pete Wilson
Answer: C
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Page 5
Chapter 4: Parties and Elections in California
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31 Verified Questions
31 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4477
Sample Questions
Q1) An absentee ballot is now available to any voter who A) has filed the appropriate paperwork with the lieutenant governor's office. B) paid the appropriate fees.
C) can show a valid California driver's license.
D) wants one.
Q2) One theory is that third parties in California act as A) lobbyists.
B) spoilers.
C) a drain on public funding of campaigns.
D) issue "killers."
Q3) In the November 2010 midterm election, the Democratic Party experienced an unprecedented loss of seats in Congress. Yet, in California all of the Democratic candidates running for statewide office won. An analysis of the vote concluded that a key factor in the Democratic success was
A) the large turnout by young voters.
B) a change in election laws.
C) the strength of the Latino vote.
D) campaign finance reform.
Q4) What groups comprise the California electorate, and which are most and least likely to vote?
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Chapter 5: The California Legislature
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What are the major differences between the U.S. Congress and the California legislature?
Q2) Gerrymandering refers to
A) a procedure that is used by California legislators to stop a vote on a bill.
B) drawing district lines in a way that is equal for only two political parties.
C) drawing district lines in a way that favors one political party over another.
D) the recruitment of lobbyists in order to raise campaign funds.
Q3) The process by which members of the legislature exchange or trade votes is called
A) constituent service.
B) oversight function.
C) logrolling.
D) filibustering.
Q4) Term limits had at least one positive effect on the state legislature. Term limits have resulted in
A) reduced reliance on money in running campaigns.
B) less influence in legislative affairs by interest groups.
C) more women being elected to the legislature.
D) greater control by third parties.
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Chapter 6: The Governor and the Executive Branch
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which state official is also a member of the state board of equalization?
A) secretary of state
B) insurance commissioner
C) treasurer
D) controller
Q2) All of the following are among the formal powers of the governor EXCEPT
A) vetoing legislation.
B) drawing up the budget.
C) developing a vision for the state.
D) organizing the executive branch.
Q3) One of the most important powers the governor has in terms of the budget process is the
A) appointment power.
B) role of commander-in-chief.
C) line-item veto.
D) day-to-day management of state agencies.
Q4) What factors suggest that the governor of California is "invisible"?
Q5) What is the plural executive and what impact does it have on the governor of California?
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Chapter 7: The California Judiciary
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Superior Courts in California adjudicate
A) civil and criminal cases.
B) only civil cases.
C) only criminal cases.
D) appeals only.
Q2) How many judges serve on the California Supreme Court?
A) 3
B) 5
C) 7
D) 9
Q3) How many women serve on the California Supreme Court?
A) none
B) three
C) four
D) six
Q4) The largest financial contributions to most judicial races come from A) attorneys.
B) firemen and police officers.
C) prison guards.
D) teachers.
Page 9
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Chapter 8: The State Budget and Budgetary Limitations
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4481
Sample Questions
Q1) What category accounts for the largest expenditure in California's budget?
A) higher education
B) education (K-12)
C) corrections and rehabilitation
D) health and human services
Q2) Why does income from taxes vary in California? Which taxes are likely to vary the most?
Q3) The California Constitution requires that the governor and the legislature
A) pass a balanced budget.
B) engage in deficit financing.
C) reduce the rate of inflation.
D) ignore the Federal Reserve Bank.
Q4) Cite some examples of how various propositions have limited the ability of the state government in California to allocate and spend tax revenues.
Q5) Which tax contributes the least revenue to the state of California?
A) personal income tax
B) sales tax
C) corporate tax
D) they contribute approximately equally
Q6) What was the intent of Proposition 13? What impact did it have in California?
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Chapter 9: Local Government
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4482
Sample Questions
Q1) In California, school districts are governed by
A) county supervisors.
B) locally elected school boards.
C) Congress and the Department of Education.
D) the governor of California and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Q2) Under Proposition 22, passed by the state's voters in November 2010, state lawmakers cannot
A) increase state taxes without the consent of local governments.
B) lower the personal income tax.
C) shift local revenues dedicated to local services to the state.
D) increase corporate taxes without Chamber of Commerce approval.
Q3) In order to deal with problems such as air pollution and waste management that affect large geographic areas in California,
A) regional governments have been formed.
B) special districts have been given authority to deal with these types of problems.
C) a council-mayor system has been implemented.
D) secession movements in a number of cities have developed.
Q4) Explain how Dillon's Rule impacts local governments in California and how it is applied.
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Chapter 10: Public Policy in California
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4483
Sample Questions
Q1) In the city of Los Angeles, it was determined that water rates were too low to keep up maintenance because
A) the California Supreme Court overturned rate increases.
B) the city council, not a water agency, set rates.
C) the state continued to take local funds due to the continuing budget crisis.
D) rate increases must be approved by the voters.
Q2) One proposal to deal with the problem of California being a "land of contrasts" was to
A) secede from the union.
B) divide California into six states.
C) appeal to the United Nations.
D) file more law suits.
Q3) In 1999, the California Supreme Court struck down Proposition 5, which dealt with A) same-sex marriage.
B) Indian gaming.
C) public school funding.
D) health care.
Q4) Why do levees pose a major problem in California? How has the state dealt with the problem?
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