What political changes might help improve California government's long-term viability? In other words, how might some of California's political problems be solved through political reform?

What will be an ideal response?

Varies. There is no "correct" answer to this open-ended question, but students are prompted to consider the flaws that have been pointed out throughout the book and to suggest alternative arrangements that could make a difference for governing. The question is not asking about increasing funding in areas that are currently underfunded, which could apply broadly to many areas of government (the courts, for example), or types of governments (special districts, cities, school districts, etc.). Rather, students should focus on possible rules changes in any number of areas, including: direct democracy (suggestions were listed in Chapter 3 with respect to the initiative process), the legislature (rules pertaining to budgeting, lawmaking, professionalization of the legislature, term limits), the executive branch (its organization, term limits, relative authority of the governor and a plural executive), courts (judicial elections), prisons, and criminal justice (relieving overcrowding through altering mandatory sentencing laws, reclassifying certain crimes, etc.).