GOVERNORS for SMART GROWTH--1999 Updates

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Governors on Smart Growth -- 1998
Governors on Smart Growth -- 1999
Governors on Smart Growth -- 2000

Following their inaugural and state of the state speeches, seventeen governors have reaffirmed their growth management and open space commitments with policy statements, budget measures and executive actions.

Arizona Governor Jane Dee Hull (R) created a task force to assess the state's long-term transportation needs, funding sources, agency roles and fund dispersion among urban and rural areas. She also launched a 1999 "Ozone Alert Program" to have 1,200 businesses reduce their employees' car travel on high air-pollution days by at least ten percent.

California Governor Gray Davis (D) asked his new Commission on Building for the 21st Century to report on key infrastructure needs and a comprehensive investment plan for financing public projects by May 1, and to submit final recommendations by December 1, 2000.

Delaware Governor Thomas R. Carper (D) decided to put a $220 million windfall recently won from New York State into his 21st Century Fund. The fund lets the state protect its environment, revitalize communities and improve education and economic competitiveness.

Illinois Governor George Ryan (R) and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) opened a new era of partnership by jointly asking the state's delegation in Congress to push a common agenda and obtain more federal funds for mass transit, roads, schools, housing, open space and Medicaid. Days earlier, the governor asked his Infrastructure Task Force to report on the state's transportation, education, utility lines, environment and quality of life by May 1. He also created the Office of Strategic Planning and ordered a year-long statewide performance review of executive agencies, programs, laws, rules and regulations.

Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton (D) announced funding for a five-county $5.8 million regional industrial park, the sixth in his unique program that helps counties combine their lands into large development hubs and share the future tax revenues.

Maine Governor Angus S. King (I) stepped up his open space protection drive with a proposal for a five-year $50 million bond issue, matched by $25 million in private and public contributions. The funds would go into the Land for Maine's Future Program for land and conservation easement purchases, guided by a principle of public access.

Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening (D) told the participants in the American Public Transit Association's 24th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D. C., that mass transit is crucial to his Smart Growth initiative for balancing environmental, transportation and land use decisions. He also said that his new $3 million Transit Station Smart Growth program will attract development to station areas, revitalizing neighborhoods and spurring transit use.

New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen (D) provided a state House committee with written testimony in support of smart growth policies to help communities deal with road congestion, pollution, loss of open space and other problems caused by suburban sprawl. She also announced her forthcoming executive order for a study on how the state can promote smart growth to bolster the economy and protect natural resources.

New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman (R), honored with the "Conservation Leadership in Government Award" by the Nature Conservancy, said at the presentation in the group's headquarters that she is working with the State Legislature on further incentives for individuals to donate land for preservation, and expressed hope that other states will take similar steps. A week later, at the onset of her 11-day South American trade mission, the governor addressed the Sustainable Business Development Symposium in Rio de Janeiro, and signed a memorandum of understanding with the State of Rio de Janeiro. Co-signed by Governor Anthony William Garotinho, the memorandum calls for stronger entrepreneurial cooperation and environmentally friendly, sustainable economic development.

New York Governor George E. Pataki (R) announced a $1.6 million deal with the Hochschild family to add nearly 400 acres to the Adirondack Forest Preserve, half for public use, half for permanent conservation. He also budgeted $16 million for an updated Hudson River Estuary Action Plan to restore fisheries, save open space and improve the river's water quality between New York Harbor and the Troy dam.

Oregon Governor John A. Kitzhaber (D) and the Oregon legislature began studying a report by the Task Force on Growth in Oregon, which calls for increased cooperation with communities to meet diverse local needs. The governor has also released a white paper on his Oregon Livability Initiative to revitalize downtowns, reduce sprawl and road congestion, spur affordable housing and rebuild rural economies.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge (R) launched his five-year, $1.3 billion Growing Greener initiative, "the most sweeping change in environmental budget policy in the last 30 years." It includes redirecting $425 million to the new Environmental Stewardship Fund, adding $44 million for open space protection and restructuring $900 million to promote sound land use across the state.

Rhode Island Governor Lincoln C. Almond (R) reported the purchase of a 76-acre white pine tract conservation easement, the second such transaction under the Forest Legacy Program, designed to save prime forestland from development. He also invited municipal and civic applications for $3 million in federal grants, available this year for restoration and enhancement of historic and scenic sites along the state's transportation lines.

Utah Governor Mike Leavitt (R) signed into law the Utah Quality Growth Act of 1999. The act, vigorously pushed by the governor and his allies in the legislature, establishes a Quality Growth Commission to help lawmakers and localities with sound growth planning and management. It also creates the LeRay McAllister Critical Land Conservation Fund, with a $6 million cap, to preserve agricultural and open land. The legislature designated the northern rural city of Marriott-Slaterville, population 1,500, as the first open space pilot city eligible for preservation funds.

Washington Governor Gary Locke (D) and Vice President Al Gore announced in Seattle that President Clinton's budget for 2000 will include a $156 million Livability Agenda item to help the state improve its transit system and air quality. They also informed the public session of the Puget Sound Regional Council that the Department of Transportation is providing Seattle with a $200,000 grant for better coordination of transit services with neighborhood needs.

Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson (R) announced a new budgetary environmental commitment for the 21st century. His budget includes an upgraded $515 million Stewardship 200 program to acquire and manage open land, and to help localities save green space. The governor also put another $10 million into the $30 million brownfield redevelopment program, and earmarked most of the expected casino payments from Wisconsin's Indian Tribes for tourism, recreational activities and land protection. Under the new five-year casino compacts, the tribes will pay the state $23 million a year.

Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer (R) posted on his web site a comprehensive land conservation guide book, a project initiated by his Natural Resources Subcabinet. The guide book outlines forces driving rural sprawl, consequences of the loss of open space, landowner conservation tools, regulatory techniques, and university, state and federal open land activities. Declaring his support for the idea of brownfield reclamation, but repeating criticism of the Senate Brownfields Bill as flawed, the governor allowed it to become law without his signature. He will oppose the implementation of the discretionary parts of the act until its statutory inconsistencies are corrected and possible loopholes closed. Since the act becomes effective July 1, 2001, the governor hopes the legislature will use the time to revise it and solve the problems.

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