California State Politics and Policy Exam Review
Course Introduction
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the political structures, processes, and public policies specific to California. Students will analyze the state's unique governmental framework, including the roles of the governor, legislature, and judiciary, as well as the impact of direct democracy tools such as initiatives, referenda, and recalls. The course covers key policy issues facing California, such as environmental regulation, housing, education, immigration, and fiscal management, highlighting their historical context and contemporary developments. Through case studies and current events, students will gain a nuanced understanding of how Californias diverse population, economic power, and innovative approaches shape both regional and national political landscapes.
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) The largest number of immigrants living in California came from A) Canada.
B) Philippines.
C) Mexico.
D) China.
Answer: C
Q2) 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
Answer: B
Q3) In 2003, the people of California recalled Governor
A) Pete Wilson.
B) Ronald Reagan.
C) Arnold Schwarzenegger.
D) Gray Davis.
Answer: D
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Page 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) Who made the following statement: "If we are fit to govern ourselves, this is the last time we will submit to be governed by the hired bosses of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company"?
A) Hiram Johnson
B) Edward Dickson
C) Chester Rowell
D) Pat Brown
Answer: C
Q2) In 1849, in what county did the elected men meet to draft California's first constitution?
A) Sacramento
B) Los Angeles
C) Monterey
D) San Diego
Answer: C
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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) In California, how many different categories does the secretary of state use for interest groups?
A) 11
B) 15
C) 19
D) 26
Answer: C
Q2) Because political campaigns require highly focused political messages, the media of choice to reach large numbers of citizens are A) local newspapers.
B) national magazines.
C) highway billboards.
D) electronic media.
Answer: D
Q3) In 2012, lobbyists represented approximately ________ interest groups.
A) 1,000
B) 1,800
C) 2,552
D) 3,468
Answer: D
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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) The Citizens Redistricting Commission is responsible for redrawing the boundaries of the Senate and Assembly. What proposition expanded the Commission's power to determine congressional districts as well?
A) Proposition 14
B) Proposition 198
C) Proposition 55
D) Proposition 20
Q2) What group advocated for nonpartisan elections?
A) Democrats
B) Republicans
C) Progressives
D) Libertarians
Q3) 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.
Q4) In order for a political party to qualify for the ballot in California, what procedures are available? Do the existing procedures require the expenditure of significant resources?
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Chapter 5: The California Legislature
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/4478
Sample
Questions
Q1) What factors make the California legislature weaker in comparison to Congress?
A) the Speaker of the House, presidential recess appointments, and congressional staffers
B) logrolling, the vice president of the United States, filibusters
C) term limits, low media coverage, and the line-item veto
D) oversight, gerrymandering, court decisions
Q2) What functions does the California legislature carry out? Is there any one function that it is not performing in an acceptable way? Explain your answer.
Q3) Since California elections are winner-take-all elections, it has the impact of
A) excluding minorities from public office.
B) excluding third parties from holding seats in the state legislature.
C) reducing the cost of running for office.
D) increasing the number of women office holders.
Q4) The committee system in the state legislature allows for
A) specialization and attention to detail on the part of legislators.
B) less input by lobbyists.
C) greater input by third party leaders.
D) greater public scrutiny of the legislature's working habits.
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Page 7
Chapter 6: The Governor and the Executive Branch
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The state board of equalization is charged with the responsibility of A) distributing state highway funds.
B) auditing all state expenditures.
C) controlling the expenditures of the executive branch.
D) overseeing the assessment and administration of property taxes.
Q2) How is the bureaucracy in California organized? How does it relate to the governor?
Q3) The lieutenant governor serves as acting governor when the governor is
A) out of the state.
B) running for president.
C) in a major dispute with the legislature.
D) the candidate of a third party.
Q4) After the primary election in 2010, Governor Schwarzenegger
A) tried to run unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor.
B) was a lame duck governor and made no public appearances.
C) campaigned actively and successfully for Proposition 14 and against Proposition 24.
D) accepted an appointment as the ambassador to Austria.
Q5) Why is the role of the governor in the budget process and his line-item veto power considered among his strongest powers?
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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) Discuss an example of the conflict between federal and state law that California courts have to adjudicate.
Q2) How many judges serve on the California Supreme Court?
A) 3
B) 5
C) 7
D) 9
Q3) Which of the following reasons are given by people who argue that judicial elections are the best method of selection for judges?
A) Judicial elections allow judges to have greater independence.
B) Judicial elections insulate judges from politics.
C) Judicial elections allow citizens to hold judges accountable.
D) Judicial elections are the least expensive method for selecting judges.
Q4) Judges selected by the governor to serve on the supreme court and the court of appeals in California must be approved by the
A) state legislature.
B) attorney general.
C) commission on judicial appointments.
D) speaker of the assembly.
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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) Outline the budget process in California. Who has the greatest amount of influence and power in this process?
Q2) Liberals argue that California's taxes are
A) moderate.
B) too high.
C) too low.
D) likely to be repealed.
Q3) Fees for students attending the California State University and community colleges have
A) remained the same.
B) dropped substantially.
C) been reduced by federal subsidies.
D) increased substantially.
Q4) Which of the following is NOT part of the budget forming process in California?
A) proposal by the executive branch
B) enactment by the legislature
C) approval by the California Supreme Court
D) implementation by the executive branch
Q5) What arguments do liberals and conservatives make about taxes in California?
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
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Sample Questions
Q1) In Alpine County, approximately how many people are represented by each member of the board of supervisors?
A) 216
B) 1,010
C) 35,008
D) 105,500
Q2) Two types of incorporated cities are
A) general law cities and non-Dillon's Rule cities.
B) home rule cities and Dillon's Rule cities.
C) general law cities and charter cities.
D) charter cities and home rule cities.
Q3) Which California city did NOT declare bankruptcy?
A) Vallejo
B) Stockton
C) San Bernardino
D) Irvine
Q4) What are the major expense categories for California cities? From what sources do cities receive their revenue?
Q5) What are the functions of county governments in California and how are they organized?
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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) Indian tribes in California who operate casinos
A) have "sovereign immunity" from lawsuits if you are injured on the casino property.
B) all cover their employees for worker compensation.
C) pay property and sales tax on the casino property.
D) will routinely grant you the right to sue them if you are injured on the casino property.
Q2) The two major sources of water for California are
A) the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay.
B) by pipeline from Oregon and Santa Monica Bay.
C) surface water and groundwater.
D) mountain well springs and Boulder Dam.
Q3) Most people without health insurance in California
A) work full-time jobs.
B) do not work full time.
C) work, but only part-time jobs.
D) do not work.
Q4) What does groundwater management entail, and what are the problems that are currently being encountered in California?
Q5) What is the condition of California's infrastructure? What can be done about it?
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