American Govt. CH.6 (Governing California) Inquizitive

Which of the following statements about the budget process in the state of California are accurate?

A supermajority of two-thirds is required to raise new avenues. The California Constitution gives the power of preparing the budget to the governor, not the legislature.

Identify which of the following statements about gubernatorial appointments are accurate.

Correct: Over the course of an administration, a governor can make more than 2500 appointments to the state government. Incorrect: All gubernatorial appointments must answer directly to the governor after taking office. All gubernatorial appointments must be confirmed by a majority of the state Senate. All gubernatorial appointments serve in office for fixed-length terms.

Which of the following statements about the lieutenant governor are accurate?

Correct: The lieutenant governor acts as governor if the elected governor leaves the state. The lieutenant governor can cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate. Incorrect: The lieutenant governor is constitutionally prohibited from serving on any state boards or commissions while in office. The lieutenant governor is elected by running on the same ticket as the governor.

Which of the following statements about the line-item veto are accurate?

Correct: The line-item veto permits the governor to reduce or delete any appropriation in a spending bill. For the first time in over three decades, the line-item veto was not used by the governor in 2016. Incorrect: Both the president of the United States and the governor of the state of California have the power of the line-item veto. The line-item veto permits the governor to increase any appropriation in a spending bill.

According to the following chart comparing gubernatorial powers across state governments, California is the only state in the country that provides the governor with full budget-making powers and the ability to exercise the line-item veto on appropriations bills while not allowing the governor to serve unlimited terms in office.

False

The governor of California is able to appoint members to various boards, such as the Regents of the University of California. This appointment power gives the governor complete control over the board.

False

Much like the U.S. president's job, the governor's job is divided analytically into two roles: head of government and head of state. Label each of the gubernatorial activities as the governor's responsibility as either head of government or head of state.

Head of State: Lighting the Christmas tree displayed in from of the state capitol. Attending a memorial service for a police officer who was killed in the line of duty. Head of Government: Signing a bill passed by the legislature that increases gasoline taxes. Meeting with state legislators to persuade them to increase spending on the California high-speed rail project.

Which of the following agencies are cabinet-level "superagencies" within the state of California's executive branch?

Health and Human Services, Environmental Protection, & Labor and Workforce Development.

The governor of California has a series of formal powers granted under the state constitution as well as informal powers. Classify each of the following powers as belonging to the governor's formal or informal powers.

Informal Powers: Raising money for political campaigns. Formal Powers: granting of clemency, including pardons and reprieves. Serving as commander in chief of the National Guard. Making recommendations to the legislature during a State of the State address.

What are state executive branch organizations that have their own statutory authority to carry out functions and provide services often called?

Line agencies.

Study the chart comparing gubernatorial powers across state governments, and then identify whether or not each gubernatorial power in question is used in a majority of state

Most States give the governor this power: Line-item veto for appropriations bills. Full shared budget-making authority. Most states DO NOT give the governor this power: Unlimited terms in office. Line-item veto for nonappropriations bills.

Which of the following statements about the Board of Equalization (BOE) is accurate?

The BOE was stripped of most of its power in 2017.

Who are the five major players in the state's budget politics?

The governor and the leaders of both parties in both houses of the legislature.

Which of the following statements about the legislative powers and responsibilities of the governor is accurate?

The governor is required by the state's constitution to deliver a State of the State address to the legislature at the start of every legislative session.

What is the only position within the state's plural executive created through the initiative process?

The insurance commissioner

Which statement best characterizes the impact that California's unique plural elected executive has on its politics?

The plural elected executive greatly limits the governors freedom to make and implement state policy

The controller and treasurer of California both have important roles related to the state's financial resources. Label each of the following duties as the responsibility of either the controller or the treasurer.

Treasurer: Manage the sale of state bonds. Controller: Serves as chairperson of the Board of Equalization. Audits government agencies that spend state funds. Administers the payroll system for state government employees.

Which of the following positions did Jerry Brown not hold prior to being elected governor in 2010?

United States senator

Which of the following actors are usually included in the cabinet?

the heads of each of the superagencies of state government and the director of finance