Journal of the Senate of the State of Texas, Regular Session of the Sixty-First Legislature, Volume 1 Page: 24
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SENATE JOURNAL
-And we tightened provisions of
the license law to hopefully produce
more responsible drivers.
At the same time, we have ex-
panded the highway patrol by 37%
and have provided increased income
for members of that important force.
MENTAL HEALTH AND
MENTAL RETARDATION
"A major study of needs for the
mentally ill and mentally retarded
conducted during the first two years
of this administration resulted in
sweeping recommendations which the
59th Legislature passed into law.
-The Texas Department of Men-
tal Health and Mental Retardation
was created.
-Administration of tuberculosis
hospitals was transferred to the
State Health Department.
-Local participation in mental
health and mental retardation pro-
grams was made possible, and we
now have 26 active community
boards of trustees.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL
RELATIONS
'The past six years has seen a
meteoric increase in the importance
of harmonious working relationships
between the Federal, State and local
levels of government. I am proud that
our relations now with the federal
establishment and with local and re-
gional units of governments stand at
an all-time high level of cooperation.
"The task has not been an easy
one. I have been particularly vocal,
as you know, in calling for a plan
of 'block grants' to the states which
would make lump sums available to
the states, rather than require us to
submit applications, project by proj-
ect. I am pleased to report to you
that the new Omnibus Crime Control
and Safe Streets Act was enacted in
this way, and we already have be-
gun the implementation of this Act
in Texas.
"The State's relations with its cities
and regional organizations also has
been of prime concern to me. Real-
izing that the number one problem
in Texas cities was an adequate
source of revenue, we recommended
to the 60th Legislature and you en-
acted the optional city sales tax.
This tax has now been adopted by
323 cities, representing about 85%
of the State's population, and it has,
without doubt, been the salvation of
many of our cities.
"In addition, you and I have real-ized that many problems transcend
city limits and even the boundaries
of our counties. With this realization,
we have encouraged the formation of
regional planning groups which now
cover 20 of our metropolitan areas,
and you have provided State funds
for support of these groups for the
past two years. I hope you will ex-
pand our State support to these or-
ganizations, for they are perform-
ing a valuable service for the people
of Texas.
"We have taken still other worth-
while steps to meet the human needs
of our people.
-We established a consumer credit
code for the first time in history, pro-
viding new protection in the market
place.
-We strengthened the State's in-
dustrial safety program.
-By working with private indus-
try, we developed a Texas Job Corps
Program which has become a na-
tional model of effectiveness and ef-
ficiency.
"Along with these many obviously
important needs of our State, I am
proud that we have given of our
energies and our resources to less
tangible-yet equally vital areas of
endeavor-areas dealing with man's
spirit, his pride, his inspiration.
--The establishment of the Insti-
tute of Texan Cultures during Hemis-
Fair, and the institution's perpetua-
tion for future generations may be
one of the most important historical
and cultural actions in this century.
The exhibit is described by Smith-
sonian Institute directors as one of
the most effective approaches yet
made to social history. They are en-
couraging similar studies in other
states.
-In 1963, we gave the State His-
torical Survey Committee the tools
to designate historical markings and
related projects.
-MIuseums in the State have in-
creased from 82 in 1964 to 280 to-
day, with another 215 in various
stages of planning.
-The Legislature created, in re-
sponse to my recommendation, the
post of State Archaeologist.
-We created the Fine Arts Com-
mission.
"Lastly, I hope you will forgive me
if I have special pride in a project
during my administration that I can-
not claim. Yet I know of no under-
taking which will provide richer or
more lasting dividends to the people24
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Texas. Legislature. Senate. Journal of the Senate of the State of Texas, Regular Session of the Sixty-First Legislature, Volume 1, legislative document, 1969; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145999/m1/24/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.