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Inventory of the California Constitution Revision Commission Records
R260
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Title: California Constitution Revision Commission (1994-1996) Records
Dates: 1994-1996
Collection number: R260
Creator:
California Constitution Revision Commission
Collection Size:
2.5 cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
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).
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], California Constitution Revision Commission Records, R260.[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 California Constitution Revision Commission (1994-1996) Records through a series
of agency transfers according to state law.
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.
• 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
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 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 .
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.
No further accruals are expected.
Related Materials at the California State Archives
California Constitutional Revision Commission (1964-1972) Records
Assembly Constitutional Amendments Committee
Secretary of State, 1879 Constitutional Convention Records
Related Materials at Other Repositories
The Final Report of the Commission may be found in print format at the California State Library, Sacramento, California or
in electronic format from various websites.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
California. Constitution (1879)
California. Constitution Amendments
California Constitution Revision Commission