Abstract
For decades, California’s governors, legislators, and various policy-developing organizations have initiated concepts to reform the State’s waste and recycling oversight organizations, although none were successful until the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 63 (Strickland, Chapter 21, Statutes of 2009). The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) and the Division of Recycling (DOR) within the Department of Conservation conducted similar activities. Since the inception of the Beverage Container Recycling Program and creation of DOR, interest to combine the two organizations have surfaced many times over more than two decades. Considering both administrative and political theories of organization, I examined why SB 63 was successful in eliminating the governing board of CIWMB and merging the State’s waste and recycling programs into one organization, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). Additionally, I examine whether SB 63 resulted in any of the administrative efficiency goals it was intended to achieve. Data for this thesis were gathered in two ways: through one-on-one interviews with individuals who worked for or with the organizations affected by SB 63; and, through a thorough review of articles, legislative analyses/publications, and budget-related documents prior and subsequent to the reorganization of CalRecycle. Specific budgetary data were collected and analyzed for Fiscal Years 2007-08 through 2011-12 to help explain whether any cost savings occurred as a result of SB 63. Using administrative and political theories of organization, I show that the elimination of CIWMB and the reorganization of the State’s waste and recycling programs were ultimately politically driven, though generally constructed out of the desire for a more efficient government. By evaluating interviews with individuals who played a role in the decision-making relative to CIWMB or DOR and review of relevant budgetary data, I conclude that the reorganization did not benefit from any immediate cost savings or improved efficiencies. However, under the new governing structure, CalRecycle may realize longer-term cost and functional efficiencies.