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Ethics
Governor seek open government

Citizen access to government would be expanded by new gubernatorial proposals. Establishment of citizen information services was requested by the Governors of Michigan, New Mexico and Washington. Citizen access to government records would be accused by strengthened laws proposed by the Governors of Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey and South Carolina. Texas' Governor requested publication of a state registry of government meetinGs and regulations. Mississippi's Governor urged passage of an open meetings law, and stronger open meetings law were requested for Michigan and Wisconsin. Utah's Governor advocated an administrative court to redress citizens againstst executive actions. Alaska's Governor called for an ombudsman and establishment of a public forum where citizens could plan public hearings on the budget. Maine's Governor announced a policy of immediate consideration of citizen requests.

Constitutioanl revision was boosted by calls for constitutional conventions in Arkansas and Washington and for a permanent revision commission in Utah.

Campaign finance reforms were urged by the Governors of Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Pennsyvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. California's Governor asked for funds to implement existing reforms. Wyoming's Governor asked repeat of a confusing campaign contribution law.

Lobbyist controls were asked by the Governors of Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wisconsin.

Financial disclosure laws, either new or revised, were requested by the Governors of Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, New York, and South Carolina.

Ethics and conflict of interest law reforms were advocated by the Governors of Alaska, Missippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

Election procedures reforms, designed to boost citizen participation, were suggested by the Governors of Michigan, Mississippi (including elections on Saturdays). New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, registration by mail in Utah and Wisconsin . An improved ballot was called for by Alaska's Governor.

[second column]
[picture of two construction workers with the following text Construction projects were recommended to create

Construction booted to create jobs
Construction projects, both public and private, were urged by many Governors as a means to create new jobs. An ambitious $4.1 billion accelerated building program, including $25 million for industrial development, was outline by Illinois' Governor Michigan's Governor proposed an $805 million bonding program, ranging from transportation to housing, and creation of a job development authority. Programs for state ports development were advanced by the Governors of Alabama, Georgia, Indiana and Ohio. State bonds and other boosts for private and public construction were requested by the Governors of Delaware, Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvaniz, South Dakota, Vermont and Washington. California's Governor asked reform of overlapping environmental rules which restrict private contruction.

Ohio's Governor proposed a public referendum on a $2.5 billion bond issue financed by a sales tax hike for urban projects.

Workmen's compensation reforms and improvements were asked by the Governors of Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

Labor unions would be boosted under proposals by the Utah Governor to have an "agency shop" law and by the Wyoming Governor to repeal the right to work law. California;s Governor called for secret labor elections.

Economy

Construction boosted to create jobs

Job training and new careers, development programs were supported by the Governor of Alaska, Georgia , Mississippis, Nevada.

Unemployment benefits would be expanded or increased under proposals by the Governors of Califorina, Delaware, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota. Jobless benefit would be paid out more quickly under proposals by the Governors of North Carolina.

Mass transit highway funds asked
Public transporation improvements were called for by a number of Governors. Gubernatiorial proposals included tax breaks for Colorado and Delaware, rural public transist in Indiana, North Dakota and Pennsylvania, rail transit in Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Texas and calls for mass transit funding in Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina and Washington, Wisconsin's Governor requested that the highway fund be opened to mass transit. Texas' Governor asked a dedicated for mass transit fund for mass merger of the highway and general funds

STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS, FEBRUARY 1975