Inventory of the Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy (Little Hoover Commission) Records

Processed by Brian Cote

California State Archives

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/

Inventory of the Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy (Little Hoover Commission) Records

Collection number: R190

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California

Processed by:: Brian Cote
Date Completed:: December 2007
Encoded by:: Sara Kuzak

Descriptive Summary

Title: Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy (Little Hoover Commission) Records

Dates: 1974-1990

Collection number: R190

Creator: Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy (Little Hoover Commission)

Collection Size: 5.5 cubic feet

Repository: California State Archives

Sacramento, California

Abstract: This record group consists of 5.5 cubic feet of records from the Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy. The records span from 1974 to 1990.

Physical location: California State Archives

Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

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], Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy Records, R190.[series number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Acquisition and Custodial History

The California State Archives acquired the records of the Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy (Little Hoover Commission) according to state law.

Administrative History

The Milton Marks "Little Hoover" Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy is an independent state oversight agency that was created in 1962. The Commission's primary mission is to investigate state government operations and promote efficiency, economy, and improved service through reports, recommendations, and legislative proposals.

The full Commission selects study topics that come to its attention from citizens, legislators, and other sources. In addition, it has a statutory obligation to review and make recommendations on proposed government reorganization plans. The Commission frequently oversees the creation of public hearings to explore various issues in an open setting. The goal of the hearings is to serve as a catalyst to inform and educate Commissioners, legislators, the public, and the media about particular areas of government in need of reform.

By statue, the Commission is a bipartisan board composed of 14 members serving four-year terms. The Governor appoints five citizen members, four citizen members are appointed by the Legislature, and two sitting members from each house of the state legislature are also selected to serve on the Commission. By statute, no more than five of the nine public members may be from the same party and legislators from each body must be from different parties.

Scope and Content

This record group consists of 5.5 cubic feet of records from the Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy. The records span from 1974 to 1990. The record group is organized into five series: bill files, correspondence, speeches and press releases, administrative files, and regulations. Because of the size and complexity of issues related to governmental organization and the economy, the subjects covered in this collection vary widely. Significant topics include: the California State Lottery, child care, children's services, community care facilities, K-12 education, homelessness, MediCal, nursing home care, the Political Reform Act of 1974, school districts, residential care facilities for the elderly, and wage and payroll violations.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy

Marks, Milton, 1920-1998

ID R190.01, Box 1-3, Folder 1-4

Series 1 Bill Files 1981-1988

Physical Description: 45 file folders

Arrangement

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

Scope and Content Note

Most bill files include all or some of the following items: bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author's statements, testimony, press releases, newspaper clippings, correspondence, roll calls, records of votes, and committee statements. Of particular interest are those bills relating to child care, children's services, community care facilities, MediCal, nursing home care, school districts, residential care facilities for the elderly, and wage and payroll violations.

1981-1982: AB6-AB1534, SCA49, SCR67 (1ff)

1983-1984: AB2257-AB3893, ACR133, SB1340-SB1921 (12ff)

1985-1986: AB17-AB4406, SB25-SB1500 (13ff)

1987-1988: AB142-AB4621, ACR46-ACR94, AJR63, SB25-SB2895 (19ff)

ID R190.02, Box 3-4, Folders 5-28

Series 2 Correspondence 1976-1989

Physical Description: 60 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence files include memoranda, letters, congratulatory letters, administrative correspondence, scheduling material, and orientation material. Authors include Commissioners and staff, constituents, legislators, the Fair Political Practices Commission, department heads, and other state officials. The majority of the correspondence is administrative in nature with a particular emphasis on the conflict of interest provisions administered by the Fair Political Practices Commission.

ID R190.03, Box 5, Folders 12-18

Series 3 Speeches and Press Releases 1978-1989

Physical Description: 7 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of speeches, testimony, and press releases from "Little Hoover" Commissioners and staff, national and state elected officials, and public citizens and advocacy groups. Also included in this group are outlines and speeches related to various "Little Hoover" publications and reports. Some of the testimony and speeches include information on community residential care services, the Department of Fish and Game, liability insurance, education, homelessness, and nursing home care.

ID R190.04, Box 5-6, Folders 19-5

Series 4 Administrative Files 1979-1989

Physical Description: 8 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Scope and Content Note

Administrative files primarily consist of contractual award information related to the procurement of "Little Hoover Commission" reports from private sector research companies. Significant studies include: K-12 education, the State Employer-Employee Relations Act of 1979, revenue and taxation collections, use contracts, and worker's compensation insurance.

ID R190.05, Box 6, Folders 6-14

Series 5 Regulations 1974-1990

Physical Description: 9 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Scope and Content Note

Regulation files include correspondence, newsletters, legal documents, and press releases related primarily to conflict of interest provisions of the Political Reform Act of 1974. Also included in the collection are District Court Appeals opinions related to the Political Reform Act of 1974, a procedure manual related to conflicts of interest, and litigation and codes related to conflicts of interest.