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Title: Bruce McPherson Papers
Dates: 1994-2004
Collection number: LP467
Creator:
Bruce McPherson, California Legislator
Collection Size:
8 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: Bruce McPherson, Republican, served in the California legislature from 1994 to 2004. The Bruce McPherson papers consist of
8 cubic feet of textual records dating from 1994 to 2004. The records are organized into five series: Bill Files, 1997-2002;
Subject Files, 1994-2004; Press Clippings, 1998; Legislative Counsel Files, 1996-1997; and Correspondence, 1994-1997.
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], Bruce McPherson Papers, LP467:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary
of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
The California State Archives acquired the Bruce McPherson Papers following his final term in the State Legislature.
Bruce McPherson, Republican, served in the California legislature from 1994 to 2004. He was first elected to the California
State Assembly, replacing Assembly Member Sam Farr, through a special election in 1993. He represented the 27th Assembly District
(southern Santa Cruz County and western Monterey County). In 1996, McPherson was elected to the California State Senate to
represent the 15th Senate District, which covered the central coast districts of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Monterey and San
Benito counties. McPherson held this position until 2004 when he left office due to term limits. In 2005 he was appointed
by the Governor as the California Secretary of State to replace Kevin Shelley, who had resigned the office.
Bruce McPherson was born on January 7, 1944, in Santa Cruz, California. McPherson is a fourth-generation resident of Santa
Cruz, whose family owned and operated the Santa Cruz Sentinel since 1864. After earning a bachelor of arts in journalism
from California Polytechnic State University, McPherson returned to Santa Cruz and worked as an editor and reporter for the
Santa Cruz Sentinel. After working at the Santa Cruz Sentinel for 26 years, McPherson retired from journalism to pursue a
career in public service. McPherson and his wife, Mary, have two children and one grandchild.
As a State Legislator, McPherson’s legislative interests varied, ranging from funding services for foster children, to strengthening
the Political Reform Act of 1974, to preservation efforts for historic California missions. He also authored numerous bills
related to higher education, public safety, environmental protection and economic development.
During his term in the Legislature, McPherson was a member of the following committees:
California State Assembly, 1994-1996
- Standing Committees
- Agriculture, 1995-1996
- Governmental Organization, 1995-1996
- Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments, 1995-1996
- *Chair, 1995-1996
- Higher Education, 1994-1996
- Transportation, 1994
- Select Committees
- California Wine Production and Economy, 1995-1996
- Defense Conversion, 1995-1996
- Joint Committees
- Fisheries and Aquaculture, 1995-1996
- Lowering Cost of Electric Services, 1995-1996
- Boards, Commissions, Councils
- Defense Conversion, Task Force on, 1994
- Standing Committees
- Appropriations, 1997-2002
- Budget and Fiscal Review, 2001-2004
- Education, 1997-2004
- *Vice Chair, 1997-2004
- Environmental Quality, 1997-2004
- *Vice Chair, 2001-2002
- Public Safety, 1997-2004
- *Chair, 1997-2004
- Revenue and Tax, 1997-2000
- Subcommittees
- Fiscal Oversight (Appropriations), 1997-2000
- Health, No. 3 (Budget and Fiscal Review), 2003-2004
- Resources, No. 2 (Budget and Fiscal Review), 2001-2004
- Higher Education (Education), 2001-2004
- Juvenile Justice (Public Safety), 1997-1998
- Criminal Procedure (Public Safety), 2001-2004
- *Chair, 2001-2004
- Select Committees
- Anti-Terrorism Policy, 2001-2004
- *Chair, 2001-2002
- Bay Area Infrastructure, 1999-2004
- Bay Area Transportation, 1997-2004
- Baylands Acquisitions, 2001-2004
- California Correctional System, 2003-2004
- *Vice Chair, 2003-2004
- California's Horse Racing Industry, 2001-2004
- California Wine Industry, 1997-2004
- California's Role in the World Trade Organization, 1997-2000
- College and University Admissions and Outreach, 2001-2004
- Commercial Technology, 1997-2000
- Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health, 2003-2004
- Economic Development, 2001-2004
- Fiscal Restructuring, 2003-2004
- *Vice Chair, 2003-2004
- Forestry, 2001-2002
- Governmental Oversight, 1997-2004
- Higher Education, 1997-2000
- Higher Education Admissions and Outreach, 1997-2000
- Immigration and the Economy, 2003-2004
- International Trade Policy and State Legislation, 2001-2004
- Juvenile Justice, 1999-2000
- Mobile and Manufactured Homes, 1997-1998
- School Safety, 2001-2004
- Special Education, 2003-2004
- Technological Crime and the Consumer, 1997-2004
- Joint Committees
- Develop a Master Plan for Education – Kindergarten through University, 1999-2004
- Fisheries and Aquaculture, 1997-2004
- Headwaters Forest and Ecosystem Management Planning, 1997-1998
- Prison Construction and Operations, 2001-2002
- Boards, Commissions, Councils
- Sea Grant Advisory Panel, 1997-2004
The Bruce McPherson papers consist of 8 cubic feet of textual records dating from 1994 to 2004. The records are organized
into five series: Bill Files, 1997-2002; Subject Files, 1994-2004; Press Clippings, 1998; Legislative Counsel Files, 1996-1997;
and Correspondence, 1994-1997.
The Bill Files are the bulk of the collection and a strong source of information about McPherson's legislative interests.
Within this series, recurring topics include: environmental protection (SB1808, 2001-2002; SB1742, 2003-2004), public safety
(SB1558, 1997-1998; SB 2084, 2001-2002), higher education (SB680, 2003-2004; SB722 (2003-2004), and strengthening the Political
Reform Act of 1974 (AB1026, 1995-1996; SB342, 1999-2000).
The Subject Files reflect McPherson's political activities during his tenure with the California State legislature. Notable
subjects relate to public health services, water pollution, and the election process. The Press Clippings series contain media
coverage of McPherson’s political opinions and legislative interests such as local government, elections, and environmental
issues.
The Legislative Counsel Files and Correspondence include letters written to and from McPherson. The Legislative Counsel Files
contain correspondence regarding the language and legality of McPherson's drafted bills. The Correspondence includes letters
to and from constituents, colleagues, and friends.
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.
McPherson, Bruce
Water - Pollution - California
Public health - California
Education, Higher - California
California. Political Reform Act of 1974