Exam 4: The State Legislature

Whites now constitute less than half the state's population,but hold a majority of seats in the legislature.

What is a "local bill"?

With respect to lawmakers,why did Gov.Jerry Brown state that "Republicans appear to have no power"?

As a professionalized institution,California's legislature resembles that of ______.

Thinking about "how a bill becomes a law," which of these entities does NOT have a regular role to play in the lawmaking process?

The term limits law restricts legislators to serving a total of 12 years in one house alone or both houses combined,which means that a person can serve all 12 years in the Assembly,all 12 in the Senate,or some combination in both houses.

Approximately one out of four California legislators is a woman.

The size of a Senate district is double that of an Assembly district.

What is the approximate,average size of a Senate district?

Since term limits were adopted in 1990,the number of racial and ethnic minority members has grown almost continuously,and in 2017,the Assembly was a majority minority chamber.

Who is in charge of drawing U.S.House (congressional)district boundaries?

What are the major activities of state legislators?

California legislators draw their own district boundaries.

What features render the California legislature a "professionalized" institution?

Briefly,what do committees do?

What factors complicate lawmaking,and render it a difficult process? What conditions make lawmaking particularly difficult in California?

Lawmakers elected after 2012 are allowed to serve ______.

What legislative actions require a supermajority threshold?

The California legislature is the only "professionalized" lawmaking body in the United States,except for Congress.

The recent modification to the term limits law (Prop 28)applied only to legislators,not to executive branch officials.