Welcome to the January, Business & Nonprofits: A Winning Partnership issue of NorthBay biz. We’re proud to say that 2015 marks the beginning of our 40th year of publishing, and we’ll be celebrating that milestone in our March issue. Despite our age, we feel we’re just hitting our stride serving the best interests of the business community in the North Bay as we go forward together into another New Year.
As is the norm, when my column deadline approaches, I sit in front of my computer screen surrounded by a clutter of paper and various periodicals and magazines and ponder topics, hoping to be struck by an, or often, any inspiration. This time, thunder struck in the form of a daily email containing today’s Fox & Hounds report. For those of you unfamiliar, Fox & Hounds is a daily blog whose writers “discuss and explain the confluence of politics and business in California.”
The California Legislative Analyst’s Office has published a report, titled “Cal Facts,” that’s full of information about the Golden State’s economy and programs. Today, Joel Fox, editor of Fox & Hounds, put together a piece titled, “Cal Facts Quiz.” I found the quiz somewhat surprising, definitely enlightening and thought it worthy of sharing. If you get eight or more answers right, you’re: a) running for elected office; b) not very popular at parties; or c) someone whose work versus leisure time is out of balance.
Good luck with the quiz. No cheating. Answers are at the end of this column.
1. California’s gross domestic product (GDP)—the value of goods and services produced here—totaled $2.2 trillion in 2013. With 34 percent of the population, the Los Angeles/Orange County region produces 36 percent of California’s economic output. With 17 percent of the population, the Bay Area produces what percentage of the state’s economic output?
a) 14 percent b) 17 percent c) 25 percent d) 31 percent
2. Sectors of the economy in which California has a larger share of jobs than other states.
a) manufacturing b) local government c) transportation and utilities d) state government
3. California’s top farm commodity is:
a) grapes b) almonds c) milk d) strawberries
4. California’s fastest-growing age group by percentage:
a) 65-74 b) 18-24 c) 75+ d) 25-44
5. Of the state’s $108 billion General Fund budget, how much goes to education—school districts, community colleges and universities?
a) $40 billion b) $50 billion c) $58 billion d) $66 billion
6. The share of education costs at community colleges paid by students and family is:
a) 6 percent b)10 percent c) 19 percent d) 25 percent
7. The caseloads in the CalFresh program (formerly food stamps) has increased by what percentage over the last decade?
a) 25 percent b) 53 percent c) 81 percent d) 136 percent
8. How many uninsured Californians gained health coverage recently (2013-2014)?
a) 235,000 b) 998,000 c) 1.8 million d) 3.4 million
9. The average yearly cost to incarcerate an inmate in California is:
a) $25,000 b) $55,000 c) $40,000 d) $35,000
10. Of the 7.7 million filings in California courts in 2012-2013, what percentage were traffic cases?
a) 70 percent b) 80 percent c) 30 percent d) 40 percent
That’s it for now. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and our best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year from everyone at NorthBay biz.
Answers: 1-c; 2-b; 3-c; 4-a; 5-c; 6-a; 7-d; 8-d; 9-b; 10-a
