Guide to the Tim Leslie Papers

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/
© 2014
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Guide to the Tim Leslie Papers

Collection number: LP450

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California
Processed by:
Tristan Evans
Date Completed:
October 2013
Encoded by:
Ignacio Sanchez-Alonso
© 2014 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Tim Leslie Papers Papers
Dates: 1987-2006
Collection number: LP450
Creator: Leslie, Tim
Collection Size: 30.5 cubic feet
Repository: California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: Tim Leslie, Republican, served in the California Legislature from 1987 to 2006. The Tim Leslie Papers consist of 30.5 cubic feet of textual records and audio/visual materials and cover the years 1986-2006.
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], Tim Leslie Papers, LP450:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Biography

Tim Leslie, Republican, served in the California Legislature from 1987 to 2006. Leslie first ran for the California State Assembly 5th District in 1984 against Democrat Jean M. Moorhead and was defeated by 1,700 votes. Two years later Moorhead chose not to run and Leslie won his first legislative election representing the 5th Assembly District in the California State Assembly. From 1987-1991 Leslie represented the 5th Assembly District, which included northern Sacramento and southern Placer County. In a special election in May of 1991 Leslie was elected to the California State Senate representing the 1st Senate District after John Doolittle left the California Senate for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The California 1st Senate District was one of the biggest districts in California running along the eastern border from Oregon down the Nevada border to Mammoth Lakes, and across the foothills to include the eastern portion of the Sacramento Valley. It includes the counties of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Modoc, Mono, Lassen, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Yuba, and most of Butte. Leslie served as the representative of the California Senate 1st District from 1991-2000. Because of term limits in the Senate, in 2000, Tim Leslie moved back to the Assembly representing California’s 4th Assembly District. Another large district, the 4th Assembly District runs along the Nevada border from Lake Tahoe to Mammoth Lakes and across the foothills of the Mother Lode. It includes Amador City, Angels Camp, Auburn, Colfax, Ione, Jackson, Lincoln, Loomis, Mammoth Lakes, Placerville, Plymouth, Rocklin, Roseville, South Lake Tahoe, and Sutter Creek. Leslie served in the 4th Assembly District from 2001-2006, when term limits ended his time in the Legislature.
Robert Timothy (Tim) Leslie was born February 4, 1942, in Ashland, Oregon. In 1944 Leslie’s family moved from Oregon to Southern California. Leslie attended California State University, Long Beach, earning a Bachelor’s degree in political science. He also attended the University of Southern California where he earned a master’s degree in public administration. In 1963, Leslie moved from Southern California to Northern California. Prior to his election to the legislature in 1986, Leslie was active in both state and local politics. According to the Who’s Who in California Legislature, from 1964-1986 Leslie worked as an associate analyst for Sacramento County Executive’s Office, principal legislative representative for the County Supervisors’ Association of California, as well as a financial consultant to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. In addition, Leslie was Vice President of two reality firms, Moss and Thompson, Inc. and Kuhl Corporation. Long active in his local church, Leslie also acted as a Presbyterian Church deacon. In 1996, Leslie fought a brief battle with a rare form cancer which he overcame. In 1998, Leslie ran an unsuccessful campaign for Lieutenant Governor. He and his wife Clydene have two children and two grandchildren.
Donald A. Rogers was born on April 28, 1928, in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and graduated with a degree in Geology from Louisiana State University in 1951. While working for an oil company, he lived in Louisiana and Mississippi before establishing residence in Bakersfield in 1963. Rogers was a registered geologist in the State of California. He was also a member of the Kern County Farm Bureau, Future Farmers of America, National Federation of Independent Business, Gun Owners of California, Independent Petroleum Association, and the San Joaquin Geological Society. He holds a commercial pilot's license, which he used to commute to the State Capitol in his own single-engine airplane. He is also a U.S. Marine Corp veteran
As a State Legislator, Leslie’s legislative interests were varied, ranging from prison reform programs to mining permits and logging roads to tort reform and unemployment benefits. Leslie is responsible for making “I Love You California” the official state song with AB1535 (1987-1988). He also authored numerous bills relating to the proposed Auburn Dam, an increase in DUI and underage alcohol penalties, harsher punishments for child pornography, increased medical privacy rights, repeal of the State Lottery, and welfare, Medi-Cal, and school reform. Over the span of his time in the legislature, Leslie consistently advocated for parents’ interests, including requiring schools get parental consent with regards to sex and AIDS education. Leslie was highly concerned with preventing the spread of AIDS, expanding tax credits, protecting individual privacy, and looked for ways to reduce the increasing number of mountain lion attacks by allowing local hunters the right to control California mountain lion populations.
During his term in the California Legislature, Leslie 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, 1987-1991, 2001-2006
Standing Committees
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media, 2003-2004
Banking and Finance, 2001-2004
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, 2003-2004
Health, 1987-1990
Higher Education, 2005-2006
*Vice Chair, 2005-2006
Human Services, 1987-1988
*Vice Chair, 1987-1988
Judiciary, 1987-1990, 2005-2006
Public Employees, 1989-1990
Public Employees, Retirement, and Social Security, 2005-2006
Public Safety, 1987-1988
Retirement and Social Security, 1989-1990
Rules, 2001-2004
Transportation, 2001-2002
Water, Parks, and Wildlife, 2001-2004
*Vice Chair, 2003-2004
Subcommittees
Educational Reform, 1989-1990
Mental Health, Developmental disabilities, and Substance Abuse, 1989-1990
Select Committees
California Wine, 2001-2004
California’s Foreign Trade Officers, 2003-2004
Cancer Detection, Prevention, and Research, 2001-2004
Cyber Fraud, 2003-2004
Gun Violence Prevention, 2005-2006
Neighborhood Violence and Mediation, 1987-1989
Youth and Drug Abuse Prevention, 1987-1990
*Vice Chair, 1989-1989
Joint Committees
Develop a Master Plan to End Poverty in California, 2003-2004
Fairs Allocation and Classification, 2001-2004
Rules, 2001-2002
California State Senate, 1991-2000
Standing Committees
Appropriations, 1995-2000
*Vice Chair, 1995-2000
Budget and Fiscal Review, 1991-1994
*Vice Chair, 1993-1994
Education, 1991-1992
Finance, Investment, and International Trade, 1999-2000
*Chair, 1999-2000
Health and Human Services, 1993-1996
Housing and Urban Affairs, 1991-2992
*Vice Chair, 1991-1992
Insurance, 1997-2000
Judiciary, 1991-1998
*Vice Chair, 1993-1998
Natural Resource and Wildlife, 1991-2000
Toxics and Public Safety Management, 1991-1992
Subcommittees
California-European Trade Development, 1999
Corrections and Law Enforcement, 1993-1994
Health Care Reform, 1997-1998
Health, Human Services, and Labor #3, 1993-1994
River Protection and Restoration, 1997-1998
Rural Health Care, 1993-1996
Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta Protection, 1993-1994
Select Committees
California’s Wine Industry, 1995-2000
Genetics and Public Policy, 1995-2000
Information Services in State Government, 1995
Internet Privacy, 1999-2000
Northridge Earthquake, 1993-1996
Prison Management, 1997-1998
Joint Committees
Fairs Allocation and Classification, 1993-2000
Headwaters Forest and Ecosystem Management Planning, 1997-1998
Legislative Budget, 1993-2000
Mental Health Reform, 1999-2000
Prison Construction and Operations, 1993-1996
In addition, as a member of the Legislature, he served on the Joint Select Task Force on the Changing Family, 1987-1990

Scope and Content

The Tim Leslie Papers consist of 30.5 cubic feet of textual records and audio/visual materials and cover the years 1986-2006. The records are organized into 8 record series: Bill Files, 1987-2006; Subject Files, 1986-2004; Hearing Files, 1987-1996; Chronological Correspondence, 1986-1997; Subject Correspondence, 1992-1998; Press Releases, 1987-1997; News Summary, 1996-1997; and Capitol Perspective Videos, 1991-2002.
The Bill Files are the bulk of his collection and a strong source of information about his legislative interests. The bills introduced by Leslie include a wide array of subjects. These documents demonstrate Leslie’s activism for local North-Eastern California issues as well as matters concerning the State of California as a whole. Within this series, reoccurring topics include: Sacramento flood control and the proposed Auburn Dam (AB1751, 1987-1988; SB2103, 1995-1996; and AB1953, 2001-2002); healthcare and healthcare benefits (SB1104, 1993-1994; SB1846, SB2158, 1995-1996; and SB2006, 1999-2000); timber and logging related issues (SB300, 1991-1992; SB891, SB892, 1993-1994; and SB273, SB1283, 1995-1996); prison reform and punishment (AB1447, 1989-1990; AB1587, 1991-1992; SB1366, 1991-1992; and SB326, 1997-1998 ); privacy issues (SB1382, 1997-1998; AB21, 2001-2002; and AB213, AB2163, AB2787, 2003-2004); youth crime, drug, and alcohol related issues (AB3869, 1987-1988; AB1870, AB3230, ACR 121, 1989-1990; and SB326, SB1329, SB1952, 1997-1998); sex and drug education (AB3139, 1987-1988; SB2005, 1993-1994; SB6X, 1995-1996; SB1110, SB1484, SB1561, 1997-1998; and AB2152, 2001-2002); and alcohol and drugs (AB1512, AB3869, 1987-1988; AB1648, AB4318, 1989-1990; AB2100, 1991-1992; SB3, 1997-1998; and AB19, 2003-2004). Furthermore, Leslie can be credited with authoring a bill to make “I Love You California” the official state song of California (AB1535, 1987-1988).
Additionally reflective of his tenure with the California State Legislature, Leslie’s various subject files also add insight into his numerous activities as a legislator. In general, as the records creator, Tim Leslie grouped his subject files together alphabetically, and this order has thus been retained. Of particular importance to Leslie are his subject files on the Auburn Dam, Match-Two Prisoner Outreach program, and the state budget from various years. From 1992-1998, Leslie also separated some of his correspondence into subjects of importance to him. These can be found in the subject correspondence series. Finally, from 1991-2004 Leslie made a series of videocassette tapes about issues he felt important to his constituents. These videos are organized alphabetically and stored in the capitol perspective videos series.

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.
Education, Higher - California
California. Legislature. Assembly. Committee on Human Services
Public safety


LP450:1-438

Series 1 Bill Files 1987-2006

Physical Description: 438 file folders, 27 audiocassette tapes,24 videocassette tapes,2 photograph negatives, and 5 photograph slides

Arrangement

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

Access Information

Several items are restricted from Bill File SB557 (1997-1998) due to restrictions under the California Information Practices Act of 1977 Civil Code section 1798.1. Also, Bill File SB3 (1997-1998) contains some restricted medical information under Government Code section 7927.700 (formerly section 6254(c)). Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Scope and Content Note

Bill Files were created by Tim Leslie while he served as an Assembly Member from 1987-1991 and again from 2001-2006, and as State Senator from 1991-2000. The files may include bill analyses, amendments and resolutions, author’s statements, testimony, press releases, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and committee statements that pertain to numerous issues of concern to Leslie..
As an Assembly Member and State Senator, Tim Leslie’s legislative interests were varied. Some topics and bills of note include: California state song (AB1535, 1987-1988); AIDS (SB889, 1995-1996; and SB1110, 1997-1998); health, mental health, and healthcare related issues (SB1517, SB1999, 1991-1992; SB1104, 1993-1994; SB1453, SB1846, SB2049, SB2158, 1995-1996; SB1382, 1997-1998; and AB2163, 2003-2004); same sex marriage (SCA18, 1993-1994); prison reform, crime, and prisoner issues (AB1447, AB3230, 1989-1990; AB1587, SB1366, 1991-1992; SB1622, 1995-1996; SB2161, 1995-1996; SB326, 1997-1998; and AB384, 2003-2004); local government (SB950, SB1103, SB1863, SB1893, 1993-1994); and punitive damages (SB31, 1995-1996). Among his other legislative interests, Leslie advocated allowing hunting permits to shoot mountain lions (SB2013, 1993-1994; and SB28, 1995-1996); unemployment, labor, and welfare reform (SB1115, SB1360, 1993-1994; and SB1278, 1997-1998); Brady-Jared Teen Driver Safety Act of 1997 (SB1329, 1997-1998); and reformed the At-Risk Youth Offenders Act (AB1870, 1989-1990).
Additionally reflective of Leslie’s interest, a few coauthored bills were kept together with his Bill Files. This order has been retained and these coauthored bills can be found in the legislative session with Leslie’s Bill Files. Two of these coauthored bills are SB1254 (1991-1992 by Senator Johnston) and AB1363 (1995-1996 by Assembly Member Knowles). SB1254 is a coauthored bill relating to freeway emergencies and AB1363 relates to Leslie’s mountain lion interest. Leslie considered these coauthored bills important and thus kept them with his Bill Files. Finally, on a few occasions Leslie also grouped other authored bills similar to his own bills in the same file folder as his bill. Thus, Leslie’s bill on forest practice (SB300, 1991-1992) also contains three other related bills within the file folder (AB641, AB714, and SB854, 1991-1992).
1987-1988 AB569-AB4587, ACA48, ACR35-ACR155 (37ff) LP450:1-37AJR34-AJR155
1987-1988 SB243-SB1300 (1ff) LP450:38
1989-1990 AB271-AB4361, ACA29, ACR25-ACR136,AJR55-AJR101 (54ff) LP450:39-92
1991-1992 AB716-AB2214; ACA29 (13ff) LP450:93-105
1991-1992 SB300-SB2062; SCA42-SCA43; SCR75-SCR76; SJR41-SJR45 (33ff) LP450:106-138
1993-1994 SB290-SB2110; SCA18-SCA43; SCR58 (61ff) LP450:139-199
1993-1994 AB269-AB1224 (2ff) LP450:200-201
1995-1996 SB28-SB2162; SCA1-SCA27; SJR21-SJR68; SR44; SB6X (67ff) LP450:202-268
1995-1996 AB1363 (1ff) LP450:269
1999-2000 SB8-SB2137 (34ff) LP450:337-370
2001-2002 AB21-AB2152; ACR107-ACR179; AJR4; AB76X (23ff) LP450:371-393
2003-2004 AB19-AB2787; AB3X (34ff) LP450:394-427
2005-2006 AB84-AB2179 (11ff) LP450:428-438
LP450:439-578

Series 2 Subject Files 1986-2004

Physical Description: 140 file folders, 30 audiocassette tapes, 52 videocassette tapes, 1 DVD, and 16 photograph negatives.

Arrangement

Subject Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Scope and Content Note

Subject Files include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, committee analyses, and/or interest group memoranda regarding certain subject files at the local, state and federal levels. The topics addressed cover a broad spectrum of issues, from the proposed Auburn Dam to the Match-Two Prisoner Outreach program, and reflect Leslie’s eclectic legislative interests.
See Appendix A in master finding aid and archives website for a complete list of folder titles in the Subject Files.
LP450:579-582

Series 3 Hearing Files 1987-1996

Physical Description: 4 file folders and 1 audiocassette tape.

Arrangement

Hearing Files are arranged chronologically by hearing date.

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Scope and Content Note

Hearing Files include notes, transcripts, background materials, and/or agendas. Three of the four Hearing Files are from 1987, including hearings on The Changing Family to the Year 2000, child support from the Assembly Judiciary Committee, and a hearing from the Assembly Health Committee on AIDS. The fourth Hearing File, dated August 6, 1996, is an audiocassette tape from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.
3/19/1987 The Changing Family to the Year 2000 (1ff) LP450:579
3/18/1987 Assembly Judiciary Committee Informational Hearing on Child Support (1ff) LP450:579
11/2/1987 Assembly Health Committee on AIDS (1ff) LP450:581
8/6/1996 Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (1 audiotape) LP450:582
LP450:583-596

Series 4 Chronological Correspondence 1986-1997

Physical Description: 14 file folders

Arrangement

Chronological Correspondence are arranged chronologically by correspondence date.

Scope and Content Note

Sampled correspondence includes communication between Tim Leslie and his fellow legislators, some constituents, agencies, and organizations affected by specific legislation over the span of his time with the State Legislature. A significant amount of the correspondence is directed at the governor in office during those years with Leslie asking either for a veto or signature on specific legislation. Topics include AIDS legislation, child pornography, and state budget.
LP450:597-625

Series 5 Subject Correspondence 1992-1998

Physical Description: 29 file folders

Arrangement

Subject Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Scope and Content Note

Subject Correspondence, like Chronological Correspondence, includes communication between Tim Leslie and his fellow legislators, constituents, agencies, organizations, staff, and the governor in office. Subject Correspondence reflects specific areas of interest to Leslie from 1992-1998. They range from a wide area of topics including various budget years to education to the 1992 L.A. riots.
See Appendix B in master finding aid and archives website for a complete list of folder titles in the Subject Correspondence files.
LP450:626-635

Series 6 Press Releases 1987-1997

Physical Description: 10 file folders

Arrangement

Press Releases files are arranged chronologically by release date.

Scope and Content Note

Press Releases include various highlights released by Leslie explaining his activity as a legislator. Press Releases comprise recently passed legislation, information on press conferences, and legislation which Leslie opposes. These file folders show bills that Leslie wanted his constituents to see as well as informing them of his position on various topics.
LP450:636-657

Series 7 News Summary 1996-1997

Physical Description: 22 file folders

Arrangement

News Summaries are arranged chronologically by folder date.

Scope and Content Note

News Summaries includes various newspaper articles written about Tim Leslie or legislation which he authored. Each file folder is divided by month with the exception of November 1997, which is absent from the collection. At the beginning of the file folder is an index with the page number, title, and date of each article. While Leslie divided the articles by month, a few articles from the previous or following month are found within the file. Thus, the February 1996 file folder will also contain some articles from January and March 1996.
These articles are a great resource for finding out how the media responded to Leslie’s legislation as well as Leslie’s activity in the larger community.
LP450:658-675

Series 8 Capitol Perspective Videos 1991-2002

Physical Description: 1 file folder and 25 videocassette tapes.

Arrangement

Capitol Perspective Videos are arranged alphabetically by subject title

Access Information

Access to audiovisual material requires the production of use copies.

Scope and Content Note

Capitol Perspective Videos are one-on-one interviews with Tim Leslie and someone he considered an expert on a particular subject. The videos embrace a broad range of subjects important to Leslie or his constituents. Some highlights of this series include: Auburn Dam (LP450:658); various state budget years (LP450:659); California water (LP450:660); privacy (LP450:669); and sex crimes (LP450:673). In addition, there are three tapes of "Questions" from Leslie's constituents (LP450:670).
See Appendix C in master finding aid and archives website for a complete list of Capitol Perspective Videos.