Deck 8: Taxing and Spending:budgetary Politics and Policies

Question 1

Of the major areas receiving state allocations in 2014-2015, K-12 public education receives more than any other category.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Upon receiving the budget in January, the legislature's leaders almost immediately refer the document to the

A)Auditor General.
B)Director of Finance.
C)Legislative Analyst.
D)Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

As a result of the "three strikes initiative" passed in 1994, California's prison population has been reduced dramatically.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Constitutionally, the courts may not play a role in budget making.

Question 5

"Sin" taxes in California are

A)much lower than the national average.
B)about the same as the national average.
C)much higher than the national average.
D)illegal as of 2000.

Question 6

The state treasurer estimates that what percent of the state budget will be dedicated to interest on bonds by the middle of this decade:

A)20 percent.
B)10 percent.
C)5 percent.
D)2.5 percent.

Question 7

California's per capita expenditures for K-12 public education remain among the lowest in the nation.

Question 8

The single largest area of state expenditures is

A)health and welfare.
B)higher education.
C)prisons.
D)K-12 public education.

Question 9

Which of the following is the largest source of state revenue?

A)bank and corporation taxes
B)personal income taxes
C)property taxes
D)sales taxes

Question 10

Upon taking office on 2011, Jerry Brown inherited a $27 billion surplus.

Question 11

What was the source of the law that requires at least 40 percent of the general fund to be spent on education unless the legislature declares an emergency?

A)the Constitutional Convention of 1879
B)an initiative
C)enactment of legislation by the legislature and governor
D)federal regulations

Question 12

Which of the following is considered a "user" tax?

A)bank and corporation taxes
B)cigarette tax
C)sales tax
D)property tax

Question 13

The most important elected official associated with the state budget is the

A)director of the budget.
B)governor.
C)chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
D)Legislative Analyst.

Question 14

The state constitution requires the governor to make a budget proposal at the beginning of the calendar year.

Question 15

With 12 percent of the nation's population, California has about one-fourth of the nation's welfare recipients.

Question 16

The overall tax burden for California ranks

A)44^th in the nation.
B)24^th in the nation.
C)4^th in the nation.
D)is the lowest per capita in 25 years.

Question 17

State budgets for prisons and corrections have grown the most in recent years.

Question 18

Historically, most new state taxes have been enacted through public votes.

Question 19

Bank and Corporation taxes have become the biggest single source of state revenues.

Question 20

Passage of the state budget occurs with

A)a simple majority in both chambers of the state legislature.
B)an absolute majority in both chambers of the state legislature.
C)a simple majority in the assembly and two-thirds vote in the senate..
D)a two=thirds vote in each chamber of the legislature.

Question 21

Compare the state's major sources of revenues and expenditures.What fundamental changes have occurred over the past few years? Given what you now know about California, what new patterns may emerge in the future?

Question 22

Identify and discuss the key participants in the budget making process.Of the two major branches involved, which do you believe has the advantage over the other? Why?

Question 23

Discuss the role of the voters in the budget making process.Why is it that the electorate is so prominent in an activity usually reserved for elected officials and appointed experts?