March 16, 1995

The Honorable Pete Wilson Governor of California The Honorable Bill Lockyer President Pro Tempore of the Senate   and Members of the Senate The Honorable Willie L. Brown Jr. Speaker of the Assembly   and Members of the Assembly

The Honorable Kenneth L. Maddy Senate Republican Floor Leader The Honorable James Brulte Assembly Republican Floor Leader

Dear Governor and Members of the Legislature:

The Little Hoover Commission recommends implementation of Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1995, a proposal that merges the State Police with the California Highway Patrol.

The reorganization takes a small statewide law enforcement agency and consolidates it with a larger statewide law enforcement agency. After listening to testimony from state officials and concerned organizations and reviewing materials provided by diverse interested parties, the Commission believes the reorganization will result in at least two benefits to the State:

	Enhanced security:The number of State Police officers and their locations are limited compared to the number of state buildings and employees they are meant to provide services to. The California Highway Patrol's comparatively vast resources, both in personnel and equipment, should be able to provide a higher level of security for state property and employees.
	Budgetary savings: Despite the increased cost for pay and benefits, the merger is expected to save about $835,000 in the first full year, with ongoing savings from items such as consolidating office needs and bulk purchasing power.

The only concerns about the reorganization identified by the Commission in discussions with more than 35 members of the State Police are matters covered by collective bargaining and state personnel regulations. Even when people expressed objections about the details of implementation, there was almost universal support for the merger itself.

In light of the potential benefits to the State that offset minor issues that can be addressed during implementation, the Commission urges the Legislature to allow Governor's Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1995 to take effect.

Sincerely, Richard R. Terzian Chairman