Inventory of the Bruce McPherson Papers

Processed by Jason Sarmiento
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/
© 2015
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Inventory of the Bruce McPherson Papers

Collection number: LP467

California State Archives

Office of the Secretary of State

Sacramento, California
Processed by:
Jason Sarmiento
Date Completed:
July 2015
Encoded by:
Jessica Knox-Jensen
© 2015 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

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

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], 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.

Biography

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

State Senate, 1997-2004

  • 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

Scope and Content

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.

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.
McPherson, Bruce
Water - Pollution - California
Public health - California
Education, Higher - California
California. Political Reform Act of 1974


LP460:1-124

Series 1 Bill Files 1995-2004

Physical Description: 124 file folders

Arrangement

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

Scope and Content Note

Bill files were created by Bruce McPherson during his terms in the California State Assembly and State Senate. The files may include bill analyses, amendments, resolutions, author statements, testimony, press releases, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and committee statements that pertain to numerous issues of concern to McPherson.
As a state legislator, Bruce McPherson’s legislative interests were varied. Some topics and bills of note 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).
1995-1996: AB258-AB3275, AJR60, AB11X (9ff) LP467:1-9
1997-1998: SB48-SB2177, SCR22, SJR15-SJR19 (26ff) LP467:10-35
1999-2000: SB229-SB2178, SCA4, SR25 (32ff) LP467:36-67
2001-2002: SB205-SB2084, SCR49 (29ff) LP467:68-96
2003-2004: SB32-SB1802, SCR14- SCR67, SJR31-SJR32 (28ff) LP467:97-124
LP467:125-144

Series 2 Subject Files 1994-2004

Physical Description: 20 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Scope and Content Note

Subject files include press and news clippings, correspondence, support letters, bill analyses, local government reports, and/or interest group memoranda regarding public safety, environmental concerns, local government, and electric rate restructuring during the California Energy Crises. A large portion of the subject files discuss public health concerns, from hospice care to methyl bromide poisoning.
See Appendix A in Additional Series Information for a complete list of folder titles.

Additional Series Information

LP467:145

Series 3 Press Clippings 1998

Physical Description: 1 file folder

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.

Scope and Content Note

Press clippings include articles pertaining to McPherson's political interests, which include local government, elections, and environmental issues.
LP467:146-148

Series 4 Legislative Counsel Files 1996-1997

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date.

Scope and Content Note

Legislative Counsel Files include opinions and analyses by Legislative Counsel on issues posed by McPherson's office, as well as policy issues, code section, and the Counsel's wording in the previous Legislative Counsel's Digest on specific bills.
LP467:149-151

Series 5 Correspondence 1994-1997

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by correspondence date.

Scope and Content Note

Sampled correspondence includes communication between McPherson and his fellow legislators, constituents, agencies, and organizations affected by legislation crafted during his tenure in the State Legislature.