Constitution Revision Commission (1994-1996) Records, 1994-1996

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Summary

Title:
California Constitution Revision Commission (1994-1996) Records
Dates:
1994-1996
Creators:
California Constitution Revision Commission
Abstract:
The records of the California Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) consist of 2.5 cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records reflecting the Commission's study of its assigned subject areas of public education, budget process, accountability, and local government. Chapter 1243 (Statutes of 1993) created the particular incarnation of the California Constitution Revision Commission (CCRC) described in this inventory. The records are dated from 1994 to 1996, and include seven record series. The Meeting Files (1994-1996), Hearing Files (1995), and Community Forum Files (1995) make up the bulk of the collection and document the Commission's many public events. The remaining four series are the Correspondence (1994-1996), Newsletters (1995-1996), Press Files (1994-1996), and Subject Files (1994-1996).
Extent:
2.5 cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], California Constitution Revision Commission Records, R260.[Series Number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The records of the California Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) consist of 2.5 cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records reflecting the Commission's study of its assigned subject areas of public education, budget process, accountability, and local government. The records are dated from 1994 to 1996, and include seven record series.

The Meeting Files (1994-1996), Hearing Files (1995), and Community Forum Files (1995) make up the bulk of the collection and document the Commission's many public events. A list of Commission meeting dates may be found in Appendix A, and a list of the community forum dates may be found in Appendix B.

The remaining four series are the Correspondence (1994-1996), Newsletters (1995-1996), Press Files (1994-1996), and Subject Files (1994-1996). The Correspondence, Newsletters, and Press Files all deal with the relationship between the Commission and the public -- the public's perceptions of the issues being addressed by the CRC as well as its perception of the CRC itself -- while the Subject Files largely document administrative affairs.

Biographical / historical:

Chapter 1243 (Statutes of 1993) created the particular incarnation of the California Constitution Revision Commission (CCRC) described in this inventory.

The Commission was tasked to perform the following:
• Examine the structure of state government and propose modifications that will increase accountability.
• Analyze the current configuration of state and local government duties and responsibilities and review the constraints that interfere with the allocation of state and local responsibilities.
• Review the state budgetary process, including the appropriate balance of resources and spending; the fiscal relationship between federal, state, and local governments; and the constraints and impediments that interfere with an orderly and comprehensive consideration of fiscal issues.
• Consider the feasibility of integrating community resources in order to reduce duplication and increase the productivity of local service delivery.

The 23-member Commission comprised ten Governor appointees, five Assembly appointees, five Senate appointees, the Chief Justice of California, the Legislative Analyst, and the Director of Finance; the Chairman was selected by Governor Wilson. The Commission was given an initial operating budget of $200,000 (FY1993-1994) and was required to submit a final report to the Legislature with their findings and recommendations before the commission was sunset on January 1, 1997.

Between May 4, 1994 and June 30, 1996, the Commission held twenty-six public meetings, four formal public hearings, five workshops, and thirty-nine community forums (sponsored by the League of Women Voters) in order to solicit both input and potential solutions from decision-makers, interest groups, experts, and the general public. The Commission made thirty-five specific recommendations for improvement in five areas:
1. Improving Accountability in State Government: Knowing Who Is in Charge
2. Improving the State Budget and Fiscal Process: Developing a Long-term Vision with Increased Fiscal Discipline
3. Changing K-12 Education: Focusing Accountability at the State and Local Levels
4. Changing the State-Local Relationship: Straightening out the Responsibilities of State and Local Governments
5. Strengthening Local Government: Clarifying Roles, Enhancing Collaboration and Strengthening Home Rule

In his transmittal letter of the Final Report submitted to the Governor and Legislature, Chairman Bill Hauck summarizes the Commission's position:
[...] the status quo is no longer acceptable. Principal among the reasons is that the state's population with its varied public service needs continues to grow while the resources needed to provide services do not grow as fast. Neither the voters nor state and local officeholders are anxious to raise taxes. The conclusion is obvious. We must find ways to provide needed services with existing resources. This means that government must operate more efficiently. The state's governmental system developed in the nineteenth century will not be adequate for the twenty-first century. (page iii)

The Commission was officially dissolved at their last meeting on June 30, 1996.

See a list of Commissioners and related staff.

Acquisition information:
The California State Archives acquired the California Constitution Revision Commission (1994-1996) Records through a series of agency transfers according to state law.
Accruals:

No further accruals are expected.

Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by Kim Mitchell
Date Prepared:
© 2022
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by Kim Mitchell. Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: August 2015.

Access and use

Restrictions:

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.

Terms of access:

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], California Constitution Revision Commission Records, R260.[Series Number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 653-2246
reference@sos.ca.gov
Website