ARIZONA

Governor Jane Dee Hull, R
Term began January 1995

Summary

The recognition of public concern about education, crime and protection of open space. Key open spaces are farms and ranches, both as state's heritage and many families' livelihood. They must remain productive without hurting the environment. State's lands are crucial to secure its open space.

Quotes

"We worry that poorly managed growth may damage both our environment and our quality of life. An anti-growth backlash could hamstring efforts at responsible growth, which is needed to keep our State strong."

"Protecting open space must be part of any new growth strategy."

COLORADO

Governor Roy Romer, D
Term 1995-1998

Summary

Colorado's future depends on the state's economic competitiveness and ability to enhance its quality of life. Quality of life means jobs, strong families and communities, safe schools and neighborhoods, social togetherness and cultural diversity, environmental protection and long-term investments. The state is implementing 74 recommendations from its 1996 smart growth summit which spurred local and regional cooperation. Plans for the next several years include setting aside 300,000 acres of state land as open space, transportation improvement and traffic reduction to enhance Colorado's economy and quality of life, and efforts to integrate metro area transportation with land-use and other community planning. Use of some growth surplus for investments in transportation, schools and technology will depend on public feedback during a planned "listening campaign."

Quotes

"Critical component to our quality of life is protecting Colorado's extraordinary natural environment ... especially in the face of growth pressures."

"...growth, if not carefully managed, can soon ruin or greatly diminish what is special and unique about a place."

"The most gratifying result of the Smart Growth movement has been the dramatic increase in local and regional cooperation ...around critical growth and quality of life issues such as transportation, or open space or affordable housing."

"Our most pressing growth issue is transportation. It's harder to get to work, and the time spent stuck in traffic is time not spent with our families."

CALIFORNIA

Governor Pete Wilson, R
Term 1995-1998

Summary

A plan to spend more on the environment in fiscal year 1998-99. Expectation of voter approval for $7 billion bond that would provide $2.1 billion to "finance water projects, parks acquisition and environmental restoration." For air quality protection, the state earmarks $64.2 million to buy and destroy old, high polluting vehicles or help their low-income owners make necessary repairs. Other proposed budgetary allocations provide total of more than $41.5 million for land acquisition and conservation, coastal wetlands, fisheries and Lake Tahoe protection.

CONNECTICUT

Governor John G. Rowland, R
Term began January 1995

Summary

Transportation is crucial to the success of Connecticut's expanding economy. Plans to relieve congestion on I-95 in Fairfield County, invest $135 million in expansion of Bradley International Airport and construct new routes in the eastern part of the state. Improved economy and budgetary surpluses allow further investments in the preservation of open space. A proposal to spend $160 million dollars over the next five years for open land purchase and preservation. The goal is to increase the proportion of undeveloped land to 21% of the state's area.

Quotes

"If we can meet our goal of 21%, we will have improved the quality of life for all Connecticut residents by preserving more than half a million of acres of open land for future generations."

"We have convinced Connecticut business and industry that a clean environment is in their best interest. And because we've made that cultural change, we have been able to concentrate our efforts on preserving open space, cleaning up Long Island Sound and opening new state parks."

"From the waterfront development project in Bridgeport, ...to the redevelopment of Hartford, we are in better position than ever to turn our urban centers into shining examples of a new Connecticut."

DELAWARE

Governor Tom Carper, D
Term began January 1997

Summary

Delaware is second in agricultural land preservation nationwide. Last year's most important life quality issue was the need for comprehensive land-use management and growth strategy. Currently, a comprehensive plan for sustainable growth management guides development in each county. State helps direct state, county and local investments into areas designated for growth.

Quotes

"I've proposed a new $104 million infrastructure investment package that is focused on four objectives: (1) complement State and county land use goals by directing investment in existing communities and growth areas; (2) protect critical farmland and open space from sprawling development; (3) enhance Delaware's economic competitiveness and create quality jobs; and, (4) further the State's commitment to education technology for Delaware teachers and students."

"I propose to create a Growth Management Fund to continue our investments in farmland preservation, open space, water and wastewater systems, and affordable housing."

GEORGIA

Governor Zell Miller, D
Term 1995-1998

Summary

Main environmental accomplishment is a program to protect 100,000 acres of wildlife habitat and open land in 50 counties. Promise to do even more during 1998.

Quotes

"One of our biggest success stories has been Preservation 2000, our program to protect more than 100,000 acres of natural land."

HAWAII

Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano, D
Term began December 1994

Summary

State Land Use Commission is supported by Hawaiians, but should be reformed to gain greater efficiency. A sustainability plan guides long-term management of key resources such as drinking water, open space, coral, fisheries, forests and beaches. Cooperation with investors to incorporate high-tech infrastructure in new business construction with the idea of giving Kakaako Makai a character similar to the Microsoft campus in Seattle. A proposal to streamline waterfront, harbor and shore management by merging four state agencies into a new Hawaii Maritime Authority for planning and financing projects with long-term benefits.

Quotes

"Let me reaffirm here and now, that we will not pursue economic growth which destroys the environment that has made Hawaii the most beautiful place in the world."

IDAHO

Governor Philip E. Batt, R
Term 1995-1998

Summary

Proliferation of local ordinances is detrimental to affordable housing. Task force recommends reform and greater accountability of local housing authority boards. Proposed Department of Environmental Quality should ensure balance between economic growth, public health and the environment.

Quotes

"A clean, healthy environment is among top issues of importance to Idaho."

MARYLAND

Governor Parris N. Glendening, D
Term began January 1995

Quotes

"Working closely with local leaders, we enacted our nationally acclaimed Smart Growth plan to: control sprawl, direct resources to our older communities, and protect our farms, forests, and Maryland's treasure, the Chesapeake Bay."

NEW JERSEY

Governor Christine T. Whitman, R
Term began January 1998

Quotes

"Every part of New Jersey suffers when we plan haphazardly. Sprawl eats up our open space. It creates traffic jams that boggle the mind and pollute the air. Sprawl can make one feel downright claustrophobic about our future."

NEW YORK

Governor George E. Pataki, R
Term began January 1995

Summary

New York's new challenge is attracting more international high-tech companies and pre-approving sites for chip manufacturing plants. Vision of the state as a High-Tech Development Corridor for the XXI century. The year 1997 was the most important year for land preservation in the state.

Quotes

"Working with local governments, we will look to have them propose sites ranging form individual buildings to business districts to entire valleys where we can get pre-approval of zoning, building and environmental permits."

"We're moving aggressively to put the Environmental Bond Act to work for our people in a way that's going to dramatically improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers."

OREGON

Governor John A. Kitzhaber, D
Term began January 1995

Summary

Success of plans for congestion-free roads, open spaces and balanced communities depend on managing growth to preserve quality of life. To prevent imbalances between communities offering job markets and those with affordable housing, and to avoid growing traffic and more spending on highways, communities must look beyond their boundaries. They must see growth as a regional issue and plan it together, the way the Portland Metro does.

Quotes

"Metro ... recognizes that you cannot plan for and manage growth without coordinated, region-wide decision."

"Growth must be addressed as a neighborhood, city, county and a regional issue. It is a shared responsibility."

SOUTH CAROLINA

Governor David M. Beasley, R
Term 1995-1998

Quotes

"Working with private conservation groups, the state has bought over 140,000 acres of the most beautiful lands within our borders -- acreage that will be protected forever."

UTAH

Governor Michael O. Leavitt, R
Term began January 1997

Summary

Utah needs to plan and start construction of 17,500 affordable houses and apartments a year for the new generation. Housing is a basic human requirement. Owning one's home should be an aim advanced by any society.

Quotes

VERMONT

Governor Howard Dean, D
Term began January 1997 (two years)

Summary

Increased cooperation among state, town and regional planning groups on transportation projects reflecting Vermont's rural scale and its environmental standards. Statewide long-term growth planning is needed to preserve the state's character. In the past six years, more than 200,000 acres of open land have been preserved with the help of the private sector. Land conservation remains this governor's priority. The Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust, entering its tenth year of operation, should get appropriate funding to carry on its dual mission of conserving land and providing affordable housing.

Quotes

"If we allow sprawl to continue in this state we will lose our community and become an homogenized and undifferentiated part of our larger region."

"Think of everything we do in terms of a short-term vision, in terms of a 20-year vision, and in terms of a 100-year vision."