McPherson (Bruce) Papers, 1994-2004

Summary

Creators:

Bruce McPherson, California Legislator

Abstract:

Bruce McPherson, Republican, served in the California legislature from 1994 to 2004. The Bruce McPherson papers consist of 8 cubic feet of textual records dating from 1994 to 2004. The records are organized into five series: Bill Files, 1997-2002; Subject Files, 1994-2004; Press Clippings, 1998; Legislative Counsel Files, 1996-1997; and Correspondence, 1994-1997.

Extent:

8 cubic feet

Language:

Languages represented in the collection: English

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Bruce McPherson Papers, LP467:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Bruce McPherson papers consist of 8 cubic feet of textual records dating from 1994 to 2004. The records are organized into five series: Bill Files, 1997-2002; Subject Files, 1994-2004; Press Clippings, 1998; Legislative Counsel Files, 1996-1997; and Correspondence, 1994-1997.

The Bill Files are the bulk of the collection and a strong source of information about McPherson's legislative interests. Within this series, recurring topics include: environmental protection (SB1808, 2001-2002; SB1742, 2003-2004), public safety (SB1558, 1997-1998; SB 2084, 2001-2002), higher education (SB680, 2003-2004; SB722 (2003-2004), and strengthening the Political Reform Act of 1974 (AB1026, 1995-1996; SB342, 1999-2000).

The Subject Files reflect McPherson's political activities during his tenure with the California State legislature. Notable subjects relate to public health services, water pollution, and the election process. The Press Clippings series contain media coverage of McPherson’s political opinions and legislative interests such as local government, elections, and environmental issues.

The Legislative Counsel Files and Correspondence include letters written to and from McPherson. The Legislative Counsel Files contain correspondence regarding the language and legality of McPherson's drafted bills. The Correspondence includes letters to and from constituents, colleagues, and friends.

Biographical / historical:

Bruce McPherson, Republican, served in the California legislature from 1994 to 2004. He was first elected to the California State Assembly, replacing Assembly Member Sam Farr, through a special election in 1993. He represented the 27th Assembly District (southern Santa Cruz County and western Monterey County). In 1996, McPherson was elected to the California State Senate to represent the 15th Senate District, which covered the central coast districts of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Monterey and San Benito counties. McPherson held this position until 2004 when he left office due to term limits. In 2005 he was appointed by the Governor as the California Secretary of State to replace Kevin Shelley, who had resigned the office.

Bruce McPherson was born on January 7, 1944, in Santa Cruz, California. McPherson is a fourth-generation resident of Santa Cruz, whose family owned and operated the Santa Cruz Sentinel since 1864. After earning a bachelor of arts in journalism from California Polytechnic State University, McPherson returned to Santa Cruz and worked as an editor and reporter for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. After working at the Santa Cruz Sentinel for 26 years, McPherson retired from journalism to pursue a career in public service. McPherson and his wife, Mary, have two children and one grandchild.

As a State Legislator, McPherson’s legislative interests varied, ranging from funding services for foster children, to strengthening the Political Reform Act of 1974, to preservation efforts for historic California missions. He also authored numerous bills related to higher education, public safety, environmental protection and economic development.

During his term in the Legislature, McPherson was a member of the following committees:

• Standing Committees
• Agriculture, 1995-1996
• Governmental Organization, 1995-1996
• Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments, 1995-1996
• *Chair, 1995-1996
• Higher Education, 1994-1996
• Transportation, 1994
• Select Committees
• California Wine Production and Economy, 1995-1996
• Defense Conversion, 1995-1996
• Joint Committees
• Fisheries and Aquaculture, 1995-1996
• Lowering Cost of Electric Services, 1995-1996
• Boards, Commissions, Councils
• Defense Conversion, Task Force on, 1994

State Senate, 1997-2004

• Standing Committees
• Appropriations, 1997-2002
• Budget and Fiscal Review, 2001-2004
• Education, 1997-2004
• *Vice Chair, 1997-2004
• Environmental Quality, 1997-2004
• *Vice Chair, 2001-2002
• Public Safety, 1997-2004
• *Chair, 1997-2004
• Revenue and Tax, 1997-2000
• Subcommittees
• Fiscal Oversight (Appropriations), 1997-2000
• Health, No. 3 (Budget and Fiscal Review), 2003-2004
• Resources, No. 2 (Budget and Fiscal Review), 2001-2004
• Higher Education (Education), 2001-2004
• Juvenile Justice (Public Safety), 1997-1998
• Criminal Procedure (Public Safety), 2001-2004
• *Chair, 2001-2004
• Select Committees
• Anti-Terrorism Policy, 2001-2004
• *Chair, 2001-2002
• Bay Area Infrastructure, 1999-2004
• Bay Area Transportation, 1997-2004
• Baylands Acquisitions, 2001-2004
• California Correctional System, 2003-2004
• *Vice Chair, 2003-2004
• California's Horse Racing Industry, 2001-2004
• California Wine Industry, 1997-2004
• California's Role in the World Trade Organization, 1997-2000
• College and University Admissions and Outreach, 2001-2004
• Commercial Technology, 1997-2000
• Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health, 2003-2004
• Economic Development, 2001-2004
• Fiscal Restructuring, 2003-2004
• *Vice Chair, 2003-2004
• Forestry, 2001-2002
• Governmental Oversight, 1997-2004
• Higher Education, 1997-2000
• Higher Education Admissions and Outreach, 1997-2000
• Immigration and the Economy, 2003-2004
• International Trade Policy and State Legislation, 2001-2004
• Juvenile Justice, 1999-2000
• Mobile and Manufactured Homes, 1997-1998
• School Safety, 2001-2004
• Special Education, 2003-2004
• Technological Crime and the Consumer, 1997-2004
• Joint Committees
• Develop a Master Plan for Education – Kindergarten through University, 1999-2004
• Fisheries and Aquaculture, 1997-2004
• Headwaters Forest and Ecosystem Management Planning, 1997-1998
• Prison Construction and Operations, 2001-2002
• Boards, Commissions, Councils
• Sea Grant Advisory Panel, 1997-2004

Acquisition information:

The California State Archives acquired the Bruce McPherson Papers following his final term in the State Legislature.

Accruals:

No further accruals are expected.

Physical location:

California State Archives

Rules or conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Water - Pollution - California
Public health - California
Education, Higher - California
California. Political Reform Act of 1974

Names:

McPherson, Bruce

Restrictions:

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.

Terms of access:

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Bruce McPherson Papers, LP467:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:

California State Archives

1020 "O" Street

Sacramento, CA 95814, US

Contact:

(916) 653-2246

reference@sos.ca.gov

Website

Summary

Extent:

124 file folders

Background

Scope and content:

Bill files were created by Bruce McPherson during his terms in the California State Assembly and State Senate. The files may include bill analyses, amendments, resolutions, author statements, testimony, press releases, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and committee statements that pertain to numerous issues of concern to McPherson.

As a state legislator, Bruce McPherson’s legislative interests were varied. Some topics and bills of note include: environmental protection (SB1808, 2001-2002; SB1742, 2003-2004); public safety (SB1558, 1997-1998; SB 2084, 2001-2002); higher education (SB680, 2003-2004; SB722 (2003-2004); and strengthening the Political Reform Act of 1974 (AB1026, 1995-1996; SB342, 1999-2000).

1995-1996: AB258-AB3275, AJR60, AB11X (9ff) LP467:1-9

1997-1998: SB48-SB2177, SCR22, SJR15-SJR19 (26ff) LP467:10-35

1999-2000: SB229-SB2178, SCA4, SR25 (32ff) LP467:36-67

2001-2002: SB205-SB2084, SCR49 (29ff) LP467:68-96

2003-2004: SB32-SB1802, SCR14- SCR67, SJR31-SJR32 (28ff) LP467:97-124

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically by legislative session, then numerically by bill number.

Summary

Extent:

20 file folders

Background

Scope and content:

Subject files include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, bill analyses, local government reports, and/or interest group memoranda regarding public safety, environmental concerns, local government, and electric rate restructuring during the California Energy Crises. A large portion of the subject files discuss public health concerns, from hospice care to methyl bromide poisoning.

See Appendix A in Additional Series Information for a complete list of folder titles.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Related resources

Additional collection guides:

Appendix A: List of Subject Files

Summary

Extent:

1 file folder

Background

Scope and content:

Press clippings include articles pertaining to McPherson's political interests, which include local government, elections, and environmental issues.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Summary

Extent:

3 file folders

Background

Scope and content:

Legislative Counsel Files include opinions and analyses by Legislative Counsel on issues posed by McPherson's office, as well as policy issues, code section, and the Counsel's wording in the previous Legislative Counsel's Digest on specific bills.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically by date.

Summary

Extent:

3 file folders

Background

Scope and content:

Sampled correspondence includes communication between McPherson and his fellow legislators, constituents, agencies, and organizations affected by legislation crafted during his tenure in the State Legislature.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically by correspondence date.