Texas. Planning Board

A semi-official Texas Planning Board was created on May 21, 1934 by Governor Miriam A. Ferguson at the request of the United States National Resources Board. Its goals were to study the state's natural resources, initiate a long-range planning program outlining needed public works, and work in cooperation with the nation-wide planning program of the National Resources Board. As this Board was not legislatively mandated, it received no funds. Office space, equipment, and personnel were furnished by several state agencies. The National Resources Board supplied three consultants and a clerk. The Board was composed of fourteen members, several representing state agencies, i.e., the State Reclamation Engineer; the State Health Officer; a member of the State Board of Water Engineers; Chairman, Texas Railroad Commission; Chairman, Texas Highway Commission; and Director, Texas Forest Service. The first meeting of this Board was on July 2, 1934. The final meeting was jointly held with the official Planning Board on April 18, 1935. At this time, all records of the old Board were transferred to the new Board. Accomplishments of the old Board were the preparation of the bill creating the official Planning Board, and a comprehensive study of the people, environment, and natural resources of Texas. This study assembled information concerning basic conditions and desirable undertakings for improving the social and economic conditions of the people of the state.

The Texas Planning Board was established on March 16, 1935, when Governor James V Allred signed into law House Bill 197 of the 44th Legislature. The Board was created for four years and its authority was limited to making advisory reports and recommendations. It reported to the Governor, Legislature, and the various State and Federal agencies with which it worked. The Board was comprised of nine members. Three were ex-officio members, the State Highway Engineer, Chairman of the Board of Water Engineers, and the Secretary of State, who also served as the secretary of the Board. The other six were appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate, three of whom represented agriculture, labor, and reforestation. The Chairman of the Board was appointed by the Governor and the Vice-chairman was elected by the Board members. The Board employed a Director and small staff. The National Resources Board (formerly the National Planning Board) encouraged the formation of state planning boards to conduct state-wide planning in conjunction with its nation-wide planning program. Texas and other states forming such boards were furnished the services of consultants to assist with their planning programs.

Much of the Board's research was conducted through committees. Nine subject-oriented committees were appointed initially by the Board, each headed by a Board member. In later years, two or three more committees were added, chaired by private citizens. Committee members were selected from state universities, business and industry, and the public at large. The committees conducted studies, made reports, and drafted proposed legislation. Another committee, the Mapping Committee, had no particular subject affiliation. It prepared maps when needed for other committees' studies and reports. The function of the Board was to promote and assist in the conservation and development of the natural resources of the state. It was also empowered to work with the Federal government to acquire money for relief projects in Texas from the $4,880,000,000 relief bill approved by Congress. The Board developed a work program consisting of the following points: improvement of public health; determining a land use policy; conservation and utilization of surface and under-ground waters; determining mineral resources in the state and promoting their industrial development; preparing a policy of reforestation and placing forestry on a substained-yield basis; studying transportation and recommendations for improving the highway system and other modes of transportation; conducting a comprehensive industrial survey and encouraging development of Texas' industries; studying the state educational system; and studying various aspects of government and society.

It encouraged and assisted counties, cities, and regions in setting up planning boards to review and plan for smaller-scale projects. The Board itself concentrated on state-wide endeavors. The Board was successful in obtaining Federal relief money for a number of state-wide surveys and projects, and smaller-scale public works projects. It received funding and staff from the Works Progress Administration to assist in some of its research activities. These studies, known as staff project 6909, focused on the natural resources and economic conditions of the state. Other areas researched were: surface and underground water resources; land use; public health; forestry; industry; population composition and distribution; mineral resources; hydroelectric power; oyster production; education; low cost housing; revenue and taxation; transportation; recreational facilities; the 1939 New York World's Fair, and the Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco. A major undertaking was a study of the State's river basins, done in conjunction with a nation-wide water study conducted by the National Resources Committee (formerly National Resources Board). From this study, the Planning Board prepared a plan for the development of Texas rivers.

Several other research projects culminated in published reports. According to the Board, those pertaining to mineral resources and industry were particularly useful, as these promoted the business and industrial aspects of the state and its resources. The Board also supplied general and recreational information about Texas for tourists and other interested parties.

As a result of Board studies and investigations, several pieces of legislation were drafted. Proposed legislation included an act to control the labeling of milk; an act establishing mosquito control districts; a bill to create the State Department of Public Welfare; a bill to regulate and promote conservation of underground water; revisions to Texas mineral laws; and a bill to extend the life of the Board. The Legislature did not continue the Board and it ceased to exist on March 16, 1939. The Board held a special meeting on March 13 at which disposition of its books, records, and equipment was decided.

From the guide to the Records, 1914-1939, undated, (bulk 1934-1939), (Texas State Archives)

A semi-official Texas Planning Board was created on May 21, 1934 by Governor Miriam A. Ferguson at the request of the United States National Resources Board. Its goals were to study the state's natural resources, initiate a long-range planning program outlining needed public works, and work in cooperation with the nation-wide planning program of the National Resources Board. As this Board was not legislatively mandated, it received no funds. Office space, equipment, and personnel were furnished by several state agencies. The National Resources Board supplied three consultants and a clerk. The Board was composed of fourteen members, several representing state agencies, i.e., the State Reclamation Engineer; the State Health Officer; a member of the State Board of Water Engineers; Chairman, Texas Railroad Commission; Chairman, Texas Highway Commission; and Director, Texas Forest Service. The first meeting of this Board was on July 2, 1934. The final meeting was jointly held with the official Planning Board on April 18, 1935. At this time, all records of the old Board were transferred to the new Board. Accomplishments of the old Board were the preparation of the bill creating the official Planning Board, and a comprehensive study of the people, environment, and natural resources of Texas. This study assembled information concerning basic conditions and desirable undertakings for improving the social and economic conditions of the people of the state.

The Texas Planning Board was established on March 16, 1935, when Governor James V Allred signed into law House Bill 197 of the 44th Legislature. The Board was created for four years and its authority was limited to making advisory reports and recommendations. It reported to the Governor, Legislature, and the various State and Federal agencies with which it worked. The Board was comprised of nine members. Three were ex-officio members, the State Highway Engineer, Chairman of the Board of Water Engineers, and the Secretary of State, who also served as the secretary of the Board. The other six were appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate, three of whom represented agriculture, labor, and reforestation. The Chairman of the Board was appointed by the Governor and the Vice-chairman was elected by the Board members. The Board employed a Director and small staff. The National Resources Board (formerly the National Planning Board) encouraged the formation of state planning boards to conduct state-wide planning in conjunction with its nation-wide planning program. Texas and other states forming such boards were furnished the services of consultants to assist with their planning programs.

Much of the Board's research was conducted through committees. Nine subject-oriented committees were appointed initially by the Board, each headed by a Board member. In later years, two or three more committees were added, chaired by private citizens. Committee members were selected from state universities, business and industry, and the public at large. The committees conducted studies, made reports, and drafted proposed legislation. Another committee, the Mapping Committee, had no particular subject affiliation. It prepared maps when needed for other committees' studies and reports. The function of the Board was to promote and assist in the conservation and development of the natural resources of the state. It was also empowered to work with the Federal government to acquire money for relief projects in Texas from the $4,880,000,000 relief bill approved by Congress. The Board developed a work program consisting of the following points: improvement of public health; determining a land use policy; conservation and utilization of surface and under-ground waters; determining mineral resources in the state and promoting their industrial development; preparing a policy of reforestation and placing forestry on a substained-yield basis; studying transportation and recommendations for improving the highway system and other modes of transportation; conducting a comprehensive industrial survey and encouraging development of Texas' industries; studying the state educational system; and studying various aspects of government and society.

It encouraged and assisted counties, cities, and regions in setting up planning boards to review and plan for smaller-scale projects. The Board itself concentrated on state-wide endeavors. The Board was successful in obtaining Federal relief money for a number of state-wide surveys and projects, and smaller-scale public works projects. It received funding and staff from the Works Progress Administration to assist in some of its research activities. These studies, known as staff project 6909, focused on the natural resources and economic conditions of the state. Other areas researched were: surface and underground water resources; land use; public health; forestry; industry; population composition and distribution; mineral resources; hydroelectric power; oyster production; education; low cost housing; revenue and taxation; transportation; recreational facilities; the 1939 New York World's Fair, and the Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco. A major undertaking was a study of the State's river basins, done in conjunction with a nation-wide water study conducted by the National Resources Committee (formerly National Resources Board). From this study, the Planning Board prepared a plan for the development of Texas rivers.

Several other research projects culminated in published reports. According to the Board, those pertaining to mineral resources and industry were particularly useful, as these promoted the business and industrial aspects of the state and its resources. The Board also supplied general and recreational information about Texas for tourists and other interested parties.

As a result of Board studies and investigations, several pieces of legislation were drafted. Proposed legislation included an act to control the labeling of milk; an act establishing mosquito control districts; a bill to create the State Department of Public Welfare; a bill to regulate and promote conservation of underground water; revisions to Texas mineral laws; and a bill to extend the life of the Board. The Legislature did not continue the Board and it ceased to exist on March 16, 1939. The Board held a special meeting on March 13 at which disposition of its books, records, and equipment was decided.

From the guide to the Works Progress Administration studies, 1929-1937, undated, (bulk 1935-1937), (Texas State Archives)