Guide to the William P. (Bill) Baker Papers
Processed by Cori Schmidtbauer
California State Archives
© 2013
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 653-2246
Fax: (916) 653-7363
Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Guide to the William P. (Bill) Baker Papers
Collection number: LP447
California State ArchivesOffice of the Secretary of State
Sacramento, California
- Processed by:
- Cori Schmidtbauer
- Date Completed:
- October 2013
- Encoded by:
- Cori Schmidtbauer
© 2013 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
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
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
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.
[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.
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:
- 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
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.
No further accruals are expected.
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.)
LP447:1-82
Series 1 Bill Files 1981-1992
Physical Description: 82 file folders
Arrangement
Bill files are arranged chronologically by legislative session and numerically by bill number.
Scope and Content Note
Bill Files were created by William P. Baker while he served as a state assembly member from 1981-1992. The files may include
bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, press releases, newspaper clippings, correspondence,
and committee statements that pertain to law enforcement, crime, environmental protection, Medi-Cal, child care, and other
state and local matters.
Baker supported law enforcement (AB1843, 1983-1984; AB2847, 1985-1986), including the combination of the Contra Costa County
Marshall's and Sherriff's departments (AB3014, 1987-1988). He also passed legislation regarding prisons and juvenile corrections
facilities (AB 1401 and AB1403, 1981-1982; AB1841 and AB1842, 1983-1984; AB3545, AB3728, and AB3853, 1983-1984; AB3172, 1989-1990).
Other youth offender legislation includes AB1332 and AB1333, 1983-1984.
Baker was a major advocate for environmental protection (AB2959 and AJR34, 1981-1982), including nature conservancy (AB2442,
1991-1992), reclaimed water (AB1442 and AB4328, 1989-1990; AB2627, 1991-1992), and reduction of air pollution (AB1862, 1981-1982;
AB1987, 1991-1992).
Legislation in local matters such as the Benicia-Martinez toll bridges (AB3838, 1985-1986; AB780, 1991-1992), and Alameda
flood control (AB978, 1983-1984) were also submitted by Baker.
Legislation in state matters includes Medi-Cal (AB3573 and AB4195, 1989-1990), proper pharmaceutical storage (AB1253, 1991-1992),
and child care (AB3961, 1987-1988; AB3380, 1989-1990; AB1379, 1991-1992). Baker also authored a bill to create a Yosemite
National Park California license plate (AB2700, 1991-1992).
1981-1982 AB1401-AB3475, ACR48, ACR93, AJR34-AJR35 (9ff) LP447:1-9
1983-1984 AB161-AB4035, AJR33, AJR35 (17ff) LP447:10-26
1985-1986 AB3-AB3921 (8ff) LP447:27-34
1987-1988 AB366-AB4063 (12ff) LP447:35-46
1989-1990 AB464-AB4328 (21ff) LP447:47-67
1991-1992 AB303-AB3416, AJR21, AJR92 (15ff) LP447:68-82