Political Science: California State and Local Government
Final Exam Questions
Course Introduction
This course examines the structure, function, and dynamics of Californias state and local governments within the broader American political system. Students will explore the state's constitution, political institutions, policy-making processes, and the unique challenges facing Californias diverse population. Topics include the roles of the governor, legislature, judiciary, political parties, interest groups, and direct democracy mechanisms such as initiatives and referenda. The course also analyzes city, county, and special district governments, focusing on their interactions with state administration and the impact of public policy decisions on local communities.
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
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Chapter 1: California Government: Promise and Practice
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What did Proposition 28 change?
A) It allows legislators to serve 12 years.
B) It allows the governor to seek unlimited terms.
C) It lowered the requirement for tax increases from two-thirds to a simple majority.
D) It permits the governor to appoint mayors in charter cities.
Answer: A
Q2) In 2010, California had approximately ________ citizens.
A) 19 million
B) 28 million
C) 37 million
D) 49 million
Answer: C
Q3) How many representatives from California serve in the House of Representatives?
A) 41
B) 39
C) 55
D) 53
Answer: D
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Chapter 2: The Constitution and the Progressive Legacy
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Elections held at the local level in which no party label is shown on the ballot are
A) special elections.
B) nonpartisan elections.
C) off year elections.
D) recall elections.
Answer: B
Q2) 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
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Page 4
Chapter 3: Interest Groups and the Media in California
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What role do interest groups play in California politics, and what methods do they use to influence elected officials?
Answer: Interest groups play a significant role in California politics by advocating for specific policies, influencing legislation, and shaping public opinion. They represent various industries, professions, and causes, and work to advance their interests by lobbying elected officials, organizing grassroots campaigns, and contributing to political campaigns.
Interest groups use a variety of methods to influence elected officials, including direct lobbying, campaign contributions, and grassroots mobilization. They often employ professional lobbyists to advocate for their positions and provide information to lawmakers. Additionally, they may organize public relations campaigns to shape public opinion and generate support for their policy goals. Campaign contributions are another common tactic used by interest groups to gain access and influence with elected officials.
Overall, interest groups in California play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape and influencing policy decisions through their advocacy efforts and use of various influencing methods.
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Chapter 4: Parties and Elections in California
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31 Verified Questions
31 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) 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."
Q2) What two initiatives made major changes to the 2012 California elections?
A) Propositions 13 and 15
B) Propositions 7 and 19
C) Propositions 11 and 20
D) Propositions 141 and 198
Q3) In California, what are the two ways political parties can qualify to get on the ballot?
A) television ads and newspaper ads
B) registration and newspaper ads
C) court rulings and public protests
D) registration and petition
Q4) Discuss the roles played by third parties in California. How likely are they to attain political power in California?
Q5) 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 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) How many bills did the California legislature pass in the 2013-2014 legislative session?
A) 988
B) 1,191
C) 1,431
D) 1,970
Q2) The rules of the legislature
A) permit the majority to rule.
B) favor the Democrats.
C) favor the Republicans.
D) permit a minority to block important legislation.
Q3) Briefly outline the process of passing legislation in the California legislature.
Q4) How many members serve in the California Assembly?
A) 40
B) 60
C) 75
D) 80
Q5) Why have Californians typically distrusted the California legislature? Has the distrust lessened, and if so, what has led to the turnaround?
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Chapter 6: The Governor and the Executive Branch
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30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) 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.
Q2) 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.
Q3) In California, large organizations similar to federal departments that contain a number of related bureaus are called
A) franchise tax boards.
B) real estate tax collectors.
C) superagencies.
D) political action committees.
Q4) What factors suggest that the governor of California is "invisible"?
Q5) Describe the informal powers of the governor of California. How have these powers been used?
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Chapter 7: The California Judiciary
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Sample Questions
Q1) What is significant concerning Judges Rose Bird, Cruz Reynoso, and Joseph Grodin?
A) All three were appointed by President George H. W. Bush to the U.S. Court of Appeals.
B) They are the only judges in California's history to serve as the attorney general and supreme court judges.
C) All three served on the California Supreme Court and were removed from the bench by the voters in 1996.
D) They were the first non-lawyers to be elected to the California Supreme Court in 1986.
Q2) 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.
Q3) Describe the process by which judges are appointed to the appellate courts in California. How long can they serve?
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9
Chapter 8: The State Budget and Budgetary Limitations
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30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) What did Proposition 5 mandate?
A) The state was allowed to cut property taxes to the assessed valuation of the property in 1975.
B) The state requires the vote of the electorate on all taxes that might be used to replace revenues lost under Proposition 13.
C) The state was mandated to negotiate a compact to allow tribal casinos.
D) The state was authorized to sell $3 billion in bonds to fund stem-cell research.
Q2) The publicly funded agencies most affected by the restrictions of Proposition 13 are A) fire departments.
B) police departments.
C) school districts.
D) prisons.
Q3) Since 1990, how many times has the California legislature passed a budget on time?
A) 2
B) 4
C) 5
D) 8
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Page 10
Chapter 9: Local Government
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30 Verified Questions
30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) How many counties are there in the state of California?
A) 27
B) 30
C) 45
D) 58
Q2) A "sanctuary city" refers to
A) a city that can be used by the state during a war to house and protect immigrants that are seeking political asylum.
B) the process that a city must follow to be sovereign and officially recognized by county, state, and federal governments.
C) a city that has laws to protect city, county, and state workers that expose government corruption.
D) a city that assures equal access to city services regardless of immigrant status.
Q3) Explain how Dillon's Rule impacts local governments in California and how it is applied.
Q4) What are the major expense categories for California cities? From what sources do cities receive their revenue?
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Chapter 10: Public Policy in California
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30 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The Affordable Care Act has had what effect in California?
A) during the first six months over a million people purchased health insurance
B) little or no impact
C) less people have health insurance now than in 2012
D) driven the cost of health insurance down by over 50 percent
Q2) Urban water usage in California has been constant over the last two decades because
A) of much higher rainfall than normal.
B) there has been a series of droughts.
C) penalties for overwatering landscaping have been instituted.
D) water districts have instituted water conservation programs.
Q3) What are some of the proposed solutions to the growing shortage of water in California?
Q4) 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.
Q5) What is the condition of California's infrastructure? What can be done about it?
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