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1. In California, the initiative and rec
all
were instituted during the ____________ Era.
| Populist |
| Progressive |
| New Deal |
| post Vietnam War |
2. According to a study by the Center for Responsive Government, coverage of state politics by the media
| ten | |||||||||||||
| compares favorably to coverage of national politics. | |||||||||||||
| has improved greatly in recent years. | |||||||||||||
| All of the above | |||||||||||||
| one |
3. __________ are a larger percentage of the California than of the overall U.S. population.
| Latino |
| Asian American |
| African American |
| a and b, but not c |
4. Violent crime in California is
| substantially higher than the national average. |
| about average for the nation. |
| substantially below the national average. |
| impossible to compare with the rest of the nation, since maintenance of national crime statistics would be unconstitutional. |
5. As organizations, political parties in California are
| weak. |
| controlled by networks of precinct captains. |
| dominated by the state party chairs. |
| because of their control of patronage, able to dictate positions on issues to office holders. |
6. In California, the closest thing to C-SPAN (the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network) is
| Cal-SPAN. |
| the California Channel. |
| the Golden State Network. |
| State Government In Focus. |
7. Evidence from the 2000 primary provided suggests that the blanket primary
| often led to ?raids? by one party into another party?s primary. |
| liberal |
| conservative |
| led to the nomination of weaker candidates. |
| had little impact. |
8. Increased spending on public housing would tend to be favored by liberals and
| conservatives. | ||||
| communitarian | ||||
| libertarian | ||||
| None of the above |
9. Republican voters are ___________ than Democrats.
| much more conservative |
| slightly more conservative |
| slightly more liberal |
| much more liberal |
10. Opponents of the initiative have made all of the following arguments except
| propositions are often too complicated for voters to assess them intelligently. |
| initiatives have furthered the power of wealthy interest groups. |
| the process does not allow for compromise among different interests. |
| most |
11. Approval of an initiative or referendum requires the approval of ______ of those voting.
| two-fifths |
| a majority |
| three |
| two thirds |
12. Dennis Kearney was
| founder of the Progressive Movement in California. |
| leader of the Workingmen?s Party. |
| the first governor of California to be recalled from office. |
| president |
13. ______ proposed constitutional amendments placed on the ballot through the initiative process have been ______ by the voters.
| All but three … rejected |
| Most … rejected |
| Most … accepted |
| All but three … accepted |
14. In recent decades, changes made through the initiative process have included
| establishment of term limits for elected state officials. |
| establishment of the California Lottery. |
| a guarantee for public schools of over 40 percent of state general fund revenues. |
15. At the present time, __________ may vote in at least most contests in the Republican and Democratic primaries.
| only those registered with the party |
| those registered with the party plus those who register as ?decline to state? |
| any registered voter |
| anyone eligible to register to vote in general elections |
16. On most issues, _________ are more conservative than others.
| African Americans |
| Anglos | Asian Americans | Latinos |
17. The most common method of amending the California constitution has been by
| referendum. |
| initiative. |
| constitutional convention. |
| executive order. |
18. In general, the most conservative parts of California tend to be
| northern. |
| southern. |
| coastal. |
| interior. |
19. Since the present California constitution was adopted there has/have been _____ constitutional convention(s) in the state.
| five |
20. Democrats in 2004 controlled __________ statewide elected positions.
| about half of |
| only two |
21. According to Janda, Berry, and Goldman, the ?modern dilemma? involves conflicts between
| freedom and equality. |
| freedom and order |
| equality and order. |
22. Compared to other parts of the country, California tends to be more liberal on
| social issues. |
| economic issues. |
| both social and economic issues. |
| neither social nor economic issues. |
23. A ____________ would tend to favor equality over freedom but freedom over order.
24. Anglos now make up __________ of California?s population.
| about 80 percent. |
| about 60 percent |
| a little less than half |
| about a third |
25. California ranks first in the country in
| total population. | |
| number of seats in the electoral college. | |
| number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. | |
| None of the above. |
26. Members of the state assembly are elected for _____ year terms, and may serve _____________ terms.
| two . . . . a maximum of three |
| four . . . . a maximum of two |
| six . . . . a maximum of two |
| six . . . . an unlimited number of |
27. The most powerful position in the state senate is that of
| Lieutenant Governor. |
| speaker |
| president pro tem |
28. The ______ is California’s chief investment officer.
| controller |
| treasurer |
| legislative analyst |
| director of finance |
29. How many partisan elections in California have been won by a candidate of one of the five minor parties currently on the ballot in California?
| One |
| Ten |
| Fifty |
| Over one hundred |
30. The Governor of California nominates or appoints many of the following except
| persons in civil service positions. |
| trial court judges. |
| top level officials in state agencies. |
| vacancies on county boards of supervisors. |
31. Since 1994, the Republican share of major party political support has
| increased |
| stayed about the same |
| declined |
| fluctuated widely |
32. Partisan offices make up about ___ percent of all elected positions in California.
| fifty | |
| ninety |
33. Since 1990, there has been a decrease in the numbers of ______________ serving in the state legislature.
| women |
34. In the California legislature, the chairs of standing committees are
| always members of the majority party. |
| usually members of the majority party. |
| assigned in proportion to each party?s share of the seats. |
| chosen without regard to party. |
35. Today, most executive departments
| report directly to the governor. |
| report to other members of the state’s “plural executive.” |
| are grouped under agencies that report to the governor. |
| are independent of the governor and of other elected executives. |
36. From now on, the statewide primary will be held in early ________ of even-numbered years.
| January |
| March |
| June |
| September |
37. On the California ballot
| candidates for a given office are listed alphabetically. |
| candidates for a given office are listed at random. |
| each party’s candidates are listed down a column. |
| each party’s candidates are listed across a row. |
38. “The Secret Boss of California,” ______, was a very powerful lobbyist in the 1930s and 1940s.
| Hiram Johnson |
| Artie Samish |
| Upton Sinclair |
| Clayton Jackson |
| Jessie (“Big Daddy”) Unruh |
39. The California
attorney general
‘s office
| represents the state in most civil matters. |
| represents the state in criminal matters on appeal. |
| issues advisory opinions on the constitutionality of state laws and local ordinances. |
40. The California legislature has a total of ______ seats.
| 100 |
| 120 |
| 535 |
41. To be eligible to register to vote in California, one must be
| U.S. citizen. |
| a resident of the state for at least a year. |
| literate in English or some other language. |
| able to pass a standardized civics test. |
42. After each census, the legislature is charged with redistricting
| itself. |
| California?s delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives. |
| the Board of Equalization. |
| All of the above. |
43. Absentee votes now constitute roughly _____ percent of ballots cast in statewide general elections.
| twenty-five |
| None of the above. California law no longer provides for absentee voting |
44. ______ has/have a winner take all presidential primary in California.
| The Democratic party |
| The Republican party |
| Both the Democratic and Republican parties |
| Neither the Democratic nor the Republican party |
45. _______________ has/have probably ended the “strong speaker” era.
| Term limits. |
| The open primary. |
| Campaign finance reform. |
| Scandals |
46. The Board of Equalization deals with
| taxes. |
| state employment practices. |
| water rights. |
| voting rights. |
47. A comparison of the voting records of Democratic and Republican state legislators shows that
| there is little or no difference between the parties. |
| Democrats tend to be slightly more conservative. |
| Democrats tend to be slightly more liberal. |
| Democrats are much more liberal. |
48. ____________ holds the record for longest service as Assembly Speaker.
| Jesse Unruh |
| Robert Monaghan |
| Paul Horcher |
| Willie Brown. |
49. The California lieutenant governor’s duties include
| succeeding to the governorship should it become vacant. |
| serving as president of the state senate. |
| Serving as acting governor when the governor is out of state. |
| All of these |
| None of these |
50. In recent years, the proportion of voters who are Anglo has been decreasing, with the largest increases coming from ______________ voters.
| Native American |
51. At the local level in California
| there are no provisions for direct democracy. |
| the initiative process is rarely used. |
| exempt |
| most recall votes go against the incumbent. |
52. In 2004, California?s ?three strikes? law was
| upheld by the voters. |
| repealed by the voters. |
| repealed by the state legislature. |
| ruled unconstitutional. |
53. The city manager
| is directly elected by the voters. |
| in most California cities, administers the city on a day to day basis. |
| is appointed by the county board of supervisors to make sure that cities conform to county policies. |
| is responsible for choosing the members of the city council. |
54. State employees on “Career Executive Assignment” (CEA)
| must first be in the civil service. |
| can, with certain exceptions, be removed from their assignment without cause. |
| if terminated, have return rights to their former classifications. |
55. If voters refuse to confirm or reelect a supreme court or district court of appeals justice
| the governor nominates a replacement. |
| the rejected incumbent continues to serve until the next gubernatorial election. |
| the position must remain vacant until the next gubernatorial election. |
| a special election is held. |
56. Grand juries
| are located only in large counties. |
| review capital punishment cases on appeal. |
| follow the same rules of procedure as petty juries. |
57. Compared to the rest of the country, state and local government in California relies heavily on
| income taxes. | |
| vehicle taxes. | |
| property taxes. |
58. California has ______ counties.
| over 6,000 |
59. Subject to review by the state supreme court, the __________ can remove state judges for cause.
| Judicial Council |
| Commission on Judicial Performance. |
| California State Bar Association. |
60. The California Performance Review was established by
| Governor Schwarzenegger. |
| the California Supreme Court. |
| the California Constitutional Revision Commission. |
| an initiative passed by the voters. |
61. Cities that do not have their own charters are called ____________ cities.
| special district |
| general law |
| unincorporated |
62. The ______ assists the Governor of California in the preparation of the budget.
| Controller | |
| Auditor General | |
| Department of Finance | |
| Office of Management and Budget |
63. In 2004, voters approved an initiative raising taxes on
| telephones. |
| personal incomes of over $1 million. |
| Internet access. |
| junk food. |
64. Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs) must approve
| proposals to incorporate cities. |
| new taxes. |
| new county agencies. |
| contracts between cities and counties. |
65. If a vacancy occurs in a trial court, it is filled by
| gubernatorial appointment. |
| special election. |
| the Commission on Judicial Appointments. |
| the Judicial Council. |
| the California State Bar Association. |
66. California?s trial courts are called _________ courts.
| justice. |
| superior. |
| supreme. |
| municipal |
67. After losing their case in the California Supreme Court, the owners of the Pruneyard Shopping Center
| had no further course of appeal. |
| sought to raise one or more “federal questions” before the U.S. Supreme Court. |
| sought to have the decision overturned by the voters through the initiative process. |
| sought to have the decision nullified through “preemptive” federal legislation. |
68. Roughly, the ___________________ is to the state legislature as the Congressional Budget Office is to the U.S. Congress.
| Legislative Counsel |
| Legislative Analyst’s Office |
69. Special districts
| have their own elected governing boards. |
| have appointed governing boards. |
| are governed by a city council or county board of supervisors. |
| Any of the above are possible |
70. The voting record of Chief Justice Ronald George places him near the ________ of the court?s ideological spectrum.
| liberal end |
| conservative end |
| center |
| None of the above: the chief justice votes on cases only to break ties. |
71. Nominations to supreme court or district court of appeals justiceships in California must be approved by
| the California Senate. |
| the state bar. |
72. Counties in California get most of their money from
| sales taxes. |
| service charges. |
| other levels of government. |
73. The state?s fiscal year begins on
| January 1. |
| April 1. |
| July 1. |
| October 1. |
74. Economic liberals and conservatives differ on
| the types of taxes they prefer. |
| the types of spending they prefer. |
| overall levels of taxing and spending. |
75. Proposition 98, passed by the voters in 1988, guaranteed __________ at least forty percent of expenditures from the state’s general fund.
| schools (kindergarten through community college). |
| colleges and universities. |
| welfare recipients |
| transportation |
