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Guide to the William P. (Bill) Baker Papers
LP447  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Administrative Information
  • Biography
  • State Assembly, 1981-1992
  • Scope and Content
  • Accruals
  • Indexing Terms

  • Descriptive Summary

    Title: William Baker Papers
    Dates: 1981-1992
    Collection number: LP447
    Creator: William Baker, California Legislator
    Collection Size: 4 cubic feet
    Repository: California State Archives
    Sacramento, California
    Abstract: William P. Baker, Republican, was a State Assembly Member from 1981 to 1992. The William Baker Papers consists of 4 cubic feet of textual records and spans the years 1981-1992. The collection is organized into one series: Bill Files, 1981-1992.
    Physical location: California State Archives
    Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

    Administrative Information

    Access

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

    Publication Rights

    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], William P. Baker, LP447:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

    Acquisition and Custodial History

    The California State Archives acquired the William Baker Papers following his final term in the State Legislature.

    Biography

    William Pond Baker, Republican, was elected in 1980 to the 10th Assembly District, which included the central and eastern portions of Contra Costa County and some of Alameda County. The area was predominantly a mix of heavy industry, agriculture, recreational areas, and small businesses. The water quality in the Delta is of prime concern to the district. He was reelected in 1982, after reapportionment, in the newly-drawn 15th Assembly District. In 1992 Baker was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving California's 10th Congressional District.
    Baker was a member of the Contra Costa Farm Bureau and has served as a departmental chairman of the United Crusade. Baker spent five years as Executive Vice President of the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association. He also originated and authored, for two years, a weekly newspaper column, "The Angry Taxpayer."
    Baker was born in Oakland, California, on June 14, 1940. He attended San Jose State University and graduated in 1963 with a major in Business and Industrial Management and a minor in Political Science. He did graduate study at Long Beach State College in the field of International Marketing Research. After completing eight years reserve in the U.S. Coast Guard, including six months active duty, Baker was honorably discharged in 1965.
    During his term in the California Legislature, Baker served on the following committees according to the California Legislature at Sacramento (Handbooks) and the California Blue Book:

    State Assembly, 1981-1992

    • Standing Committees
    • Consumer Protection and Toxic Materials, 1983-1984
    • Criminal Law and Public Safety, 1983-1984
    • Criminal Justice, 1981-1982
    • Economic Development and New Technologies, 1983-1984
    • Elections Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments, 1987-1992
    • Energy and Natural Resources, 1981-1982 (Vice-Chairman, 1981-1982)
    • Vice-Chairman, 1981-1982
    • Governmental Organization, 1987-1988
    • Ways and Means, 1981-1992 (Vice-Chairman, 1985-1989)
    • Vice-Chairman, 1985-1989
    • Policy Research Management, 1983-1984
    • Public Investments, Finance, and Bonded Indebtedness, 1985
    • Transportation, 1989-1992
    • Joint Committees
    • Joint Budget, 1985-1989
    • Subcommittees
    • Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation, 1985-1987
    • Subcommittee on Public Employees and Bonded Indebtedness, 1989
    • Boards and Commissions
    • Commission on State Finance, 1985-1989

    Scope and Content

    The William Baker Papers consist of 4 cubic feet of textual records that cover the years 1981-1992. The records are organized into one record series: Bill Files, 1981-1992.
    The bulk of the Bill Files series consist of several important pieces of legislation regarding law enforcement, prisons, and adult and juvenile inmates. Researchers can also find legislation regarding the improvement and maintenance of environmental protection, high water quality, and air quality.

    Accruals

    No further accruals are expected.

    Indexing Terms

    The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
    Baker, William P., 1940-
    California. Legislature. Assembly
    Benicia-Martinez Bridge (Benicia and Martinez, Calif.)