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Title: Richard (Dick) Ackerman Papers
Dates: 1995-2008
Collection number: LP452
Creator:
Ackerman, Richard (Dick), 1942- , California legislator
Collection Size:
9 cubic feet of textual records and 4 videocassettes
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: Richard "Dick" Ackerman, Republican, served in the California Legislature from 1995-2008. He was an Assembly Member representing
the 72nd Assembly District from 1995-2000. From 2001-2008, he served as a State Senator for the 33rd Senate District. The
Richard (Dick) Ackerman Papers consist of 9 cubic feet of textual records and audiovisual materials and cover the years 1995-2008.
The records are organized into five series: Bill Files, 1995-2008; Subject Files, 1993-1999; Correspondence, 1995-1999; News
Clippings, 1997-2007; and Proposition 208 Files, 1996-1997.
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], Richard (Dick) Ackerman Papers, LP452:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the
Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
California State Archives acquired the Richard (Dick) Ackerman papers in a series of ten transfers beginning in 1997 (Accession
Numbers: 2008-185, 2008-053, 2007-040, 2004-015, 2002-331, 2000-12-11, 1999-12-10, 1999-09-26, 1999-05-35, and 97-02-18).
Richard “Dick” Ackerman, Republican, served in the California Legislature from 1995 to 2008. He was first elected into the
California State Assembly, winning a September special election runoff vote over Shirely Hafner (Democrat). Ackerman ran
unopposed for the position in both the 1996 primary and general election. During his Assembly term, he represented the 72nd
Assembly District, encompassing the cities of Fullerton, Placentia and Yorba Linda. After Ackerman’s Assembly term ended
in 2000, he moved onto the State Senate, by winning the vacant Senate seat formerly occupied by John Lewis (Republican).
Ackerman represented the 33rd Senate District, which encompassed the eastern portion of Orange County, until 2008. On May
10, 2004 Ackerman was elected as the Senate Republican leader and served as the Senate Minority Leader. He stepped down as
Minority Leader in April 2008, relinquishing the position to Senator Dave Cogdill.
Dick Ackerman was born on December 5, 1942, in Long Beach, California. Ackerman graduated from University of California, Berkeley
with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics before entering the U.C. Hastings School of Law. Ackerman’s political career started
with the Fullerton City Council where he served for twelve years. While in the city council, he served as Mayor of Fullerton
in 1982 and 1986. At the local level, Ackerman served on the California State University, Fullerton’s President’s Advisory
Board and the Board of Trustees of the Southern California College of Optometry. Ackerman and his wife, Linda, have three
children and two grandchildren.
As a State Legislator, Ackerman’s legislative interests were varied, from business growth to education reform and tax reduction.
He also authored numerous bills related to public safety, tort reform, and welfare reform.
During his term in the California Legislature, Ackerman served on the following committees according to the
California Legislature at Sacramento (Handbooks),
Assembly Final History,
Senate Final History, and
Pocket Directory of the California Legislature.
California State Assembly, 1995-2000
- Assistant Republican Leader (Minority), 1998
- Standing Committees
- Appropriations, 1995-2000
- Education, 1995-1996
- Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments, 1995-1996
- Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, 1995-1996
- Governmental Organization, 1999-2000
- Higher Education, 1997-2000
- Judiciary, 1999-2000 (Vice Chair, 2000)
- Local Government, 1995-1996
- Natural Resources, 1995-1996 (Vice Chair, 1996)
- Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security, 1995-1996
- Rules (Alternate), 1997
- Subcommittees
- Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response (Rules), 1997-1998
- Select Committees
- California Wine Industry, 1999-2000
- Legislative Ethics, 1997-2000 (Co-Chair, 1997-1998)
- Jobs-Housing Balance, 1999-2000
- Professional Sports, 1997-1998
- California Law Revision Commission, 1997-1998
- Local Government Caucus, 1999-2000
California State Senate, 2001-2008
- Senate Republican Leader (Minority), 2004-2008
- Standing Committees
- Budget and Fiscal Review, 2001-2004 (Vice Chair, 2001-2004)
- Government Modernization, Efficiency, and Accountability, 2005-2006
- Housing and Community Development, 2001-2004
- Judiciary, 2001-2008 (Vice Chair, 2006)
- Labor and Industrial Relations, 2005-2008
- Legislative Ethics, 2007-2008 (Vice Chair, 2007)
- Local Government, 2001-2006
- Subcommittees
- Legislative, Executive Public Safety, and General Government (Budget and Fiscal Review), 2002-2004
- Bad Faith Liability and Consumer Rights (Judiciary), 2003-2004
- Select Committees
- Anti-Terrorism Policy, 2001-2004
- Asian and Pacific Rim Economic Development, 2007-2008
- Asian/Pacific Rim Trade, 2005-2006
- California-European Trade, 2005-2008 (Chair, 2005-2008)
- California Wine Industry, 2001-2008
- Urban Economic Development, 2003-2004
- Joint Committees
- Arts, 2001-2004
- Legislative Budget, 2001-2004
- Rules, 2007-2008
- Joint Subcommittees
- Special Subcommittee on State Expenditures to Purchase Electricity, 2002-2004
- Senate Republican Caucus, 2005-2007
- Commission on Uniform State Laws
The Richard (Dick) Ackerman papers consist of 9 cubic feet of textual records and audiovisual materials and cover the years
1995-2008. The records are organized into five series: Bill Files, 1995-2008; Subject Files, 1993-1999; Correspondence, 1995-1999;
News Clippings, 1997-2007; and Proposition 208 Files, 1996-1997.
The Bill Files are the bulk of his collection and a strong source of information about his legislative interests. Within
this series, recurring topics include: economic growth promotion, (SB399, 2001-2002; SB47, 2003-2004), consumer protection
(AB2582, 1999-2000; SB916, 2001-2002), local government (AB2503, 1995-1996; AB1774, 1997-1998), public safety (AB3357, 1995-1996;
SB1784, 2001-2002), and tort reform (AB3259, 1995-1996; AB1446, 1997-1998; SB109, 2001-2002).
The Subject Files and News Clippings additionally reflect upon Ackerman’s political activities during his tenure with the
California State legislature. Notable subject files relate to the 1995 Orange County bankruptcy crisis, Title IX gender equity,
and the California budget and fiscal highlights. Press releases include articles reflecting Ackerman’s political opinions,
such as tax reform, obscenity in the digital age, and education protection.
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.
Economic development
Consumer protection-California
Local government-California
Public safety