The LeRoy Collins Platform: 10 Keys to Floridas Future 1. Clean; Efficient. Econogicigvernment at Mew ' ___'______,_. I will not tolerate graft, corruption or dishonest , practices of any kind or degree. I will not hesitate to suspend. on grounds specied in the Constitution. state or county oicials whose suspen- sion appears justied after full and fair public hearings. To protect any such omcials against abuse of the execu- tive power of suspension. such hearings will be required except in cases of great emergency. I will work with the Attorney General and local law enforcement ofcials in the development of an eective program. free of politics, for combating crime which crosses county lines or requires technical help beyond local resources. The establishment of inter-county sys~ terns of communications for anti-crime work also will prove of great value. I will see to it that state agencies play their proper roles in a coordinated law enforcement program. with competent and adequate manpower. I will oppose legalization of any new form of gambling. I will insist that presently legalized pari-mutuel wagering be conducted under the cleanest possible conditions, with the return to the state maintained at a fair and adequate level through sound tax laws and strict enforcement of laws against illegal betting. Our government must be clean, by. both legal admit}. Where loopholes B'vTe-r' Fir Ma; an?!~ make prosecution difficult, I will seek to have the laws strengthened. This ap plies to the numbers or bolita racket which in still a very real problem in some sections of our state. It also applies to a wide range of other crim- inal statutes. including the law against sale of liquor to minors. I will join in seeking solutions to juvenile delinquency and sex crimes. I will not tolerate waste. A bill which I sponsored to passage by the Senate last year proposed creation of a State Governmental Reorganization Council with the purposes of reducing expenditures and increasing em- ciency through consolidation of state agencies having similar functions and abolishment of non-essential agen- cies. Elimination of overlapping is needed particularly 64 OAPITAL ralu'rm. me. Published by Collins for Governor State Headquarters L_________n_ . in the elds of state tax collections; Inspection services. conservation of natural resources. agricultural services. and penal administration. I will cooperate with the Leg- islative Council and other appropriate bodies in achieving concrete results along these lines. Boards regulating the professions and other occupa- tional groups in our state should serve these groups but also protect the public. It is this obligation to the public which alone can justify their existence. Members of these boards should be qualied by experience and train- ing and not political favoritism. I favor the sound use of the Purchasing Council. es- tablished by the last Legislature. to determine standards and maximum prices for state purchases and require competitive bidding. I will oppose the use of public funds for propaganda promoting oice holders .or political programs. For public employment to attract and hold citi- clent personnel, the pay must be fair. I naturally will pursue a Budget Commission investigation looking to establishment of a uniform personnel ' system for our state. This investigation was auth- orized by a bill which I sponsored. State employees who are performing needed services and doing their jobs well should have merit system protection against political reprisals. I will continue my work , for improvement of our retirement systems. I will seek the abolishment of the fee system as a basis for compensating county ofcials and the establish- ment of a salary schedule reasonable to ofcials and taxpayers. Government is no better than the people who admin- ister it. All appointments made by me to serve in state or local omce will be men or women of the highest char- acter and ability. 2. Constitutional Revision Our Constitution of 1885 badly needs a general over- hauling. Any such revision, however. should be subject to a nal approval vote of the people and our Constitu- tion as it now stands does not so require. I oer this plan to get the job done in the two-year term: I (a) Passage by the 1955 Legislature of an emergency amendment to the present Constitution proposing cre- ation of a Constitutional Commission to be appointed jointly by the Governor. Chiet Justice, Senate President and House Speaker; (b) A special election on this amendment in the fall of 1955; (c) The drafting of a new Constitution by the Com- mission withln approximately six months. and at least as long for public study; (d) A vote by the people at the general election in J November 1956 on the Constitution thus proposed. a, 2 l ix 1 The amendment creating the Commission must pro- vide for retention of such basic policies of thestate as homestead exemption. the prohibitions against state bonds and income tax. legislative authority to distribute pari-mutuel tax revenue to the counties as at present, and constitutional security for school building bonds and other existing obligations. No Governor should attempt to dictate a new Consti- tution. but there are certain elds in which the needs for revision are clear. These includeand I favor: (a) A new plan for successorship to the office of the Governor in the event of the Governors death or dis- ability; (b) Legislative mpportionment with a fairer distri- bution of representation to the more populous areas; (c) Elimination of the local bill evil from the Legis- lature and establishment of a sound system of Home Rule; ! ((1) Restriction of executive sessions at the Senate and a clear statement of the broad policy or the state requiring open meetings of all public bodies; ( e) Reorganization of our courts. now under contin- uing study by the Judicial Council, the establishment of which I sponsored in the 1953 Session; (1) Removal of pardon powers from politics and the development of a coordinated penal system; i g) Reorganization of executive departments. where constitutional revision is necessary to achieve consolida- tions. economy and eificlency: (h) Creation of a State Tax Authority to eliminate inequities in assesments; and (i) Creation of a State Department of Labor, espe- cially now that the Federal Govemment is considering abrogating to the states some of its jurisdiction in dealing with labor relations matters. To me it seems establishment of the elective oilice of Lieutenant Governorthe Officeholder to preside over the Senateshould be considered with relation to both legislative and executive reforms, as well as in answer to the successorship question. The question of a constitutional provision for the Legislature to call itself into session also should be studied with great care. I was the cosponsor last year of a proposed Constitutional Amendment. which the people will vote on this November. allowing the Legis- lature to extend its regular sessions by as much as 30 days. not necessarily consecutive. If this amendment is adopted. the Legislature likely will be in session through a large part of legislative years. The alternate years are election years. when legislators seeking reelection might be subject to pressure from special groups wanting spe- cial sessions to gain special benefits. The danger. how- ever. might be minimized by excluding appropriation and tax matters from any self-started session. The emotional view we now take of constitutional contusion, revealed by the loss or a great Governor and 3 A by the dictatorial seizure of power which followed. should not attract us to hurried changes embodying possible greater evils. We must use the interest now aroused to eect sound. carefully planned revision of our Consti- tution. This I propose to do. with the help of the Citizens Constitution Committee and other interested organizations. 3. Better Educational Facilities and Opportunities My record proves my conviction that education is one . of those foundation elds in which we build a better state. a better future. It is the meeting of a responsibility to our children and a good business investment as well. . Gains under the Minimum medation Program must be protected against undermining amendments and ex- tended beyond the minimum. An adequate program should now be our goal. The state and counties must share the nancial burden as the ability of each allows. Adequate ftmds must provide: (a) To handle Floridas constantLv rising school en- rollment: (b) To pay better salaries so that the teaching pro- fmion will attract capable young people and hold good teachers; to) To grant sufficient scholarships; (d) To furnish necessary administrative and clerical services; (e) To give pupils all the clinical, guidance and other special services necessary for their progress and welfare: (f) To construct adequate and well designed school buildings: (3) To make available sufficient textbooks, library materials and other necessary tools for both pupils and teachers: and (h) To arrange an adequate school lunch program. I will work with the Board of Control on a long-range program for the development of our univerm'ties to meet the higher learning demands of a growing and progres: sive state. The adequate training of leadershipfor in- dustry. agriculture. the professions and governmentis essential. and in no sense a luxury. As my record shows. I favor the completion of the Medical School at the University of Florida and state support for the Medical School at the University of Miami. Full advantage should be taken of our opportunities in the fields of educational television and adult educa- tion. Our vocational rehabilitation opportunities also are challenging, and these services should be expanded. 4. Improved Labor. Health and Welfare Standards In revising the Constitution to make provision for a department of labor. we must not contemplate the state entering into any phase of labor-management relations. with a punitive attitude toward either employers or em- ployees. I do not regard cheap labor as an attraction to newindush'ics. 0nthecontrary,lthh1kFlorldas 4 8 II . I ,l industrial and commercial development, its overall growth will come more rapidly and more soundly with payment of good wages, with assurance of safe working conditions, with the promise of life in pleasant, healthy wmmunities offering good schools and the other attractions of good government. Important to the state as a whole and a proper eld for state encouragement and cooperation is the solution of such local problems as planning. industrial waste, sewage disposal and drainage. I provided leadership in the Senate last year for a state program of mosquito eradication and research, and I recognize the importance of carrying this program forward. We must continue the progressive approach which in recent years has carried Florida to the forefront in pub- lic health work. particularly in reducing communicable disease, maternal and infant death rates. and in devel- oping county health departments. I want Florida to make further progress in other fields, particularly in our cancer clinics; in diabetes control: and in mental health by the operation of regional hospitals for the insane and expansion of our preventive program through dis- trict psychiatric clinics and a more intensive pro- gram of training and research. I will propose a .study looking to humane care of the senile. As a sponsor of Florida's rst old age assistance pro- gram. I have long been on record in favor of a sound and adequate welfare prosram. The state should do its utmost in the four elds of Federal aidto the aged. to the blind. to dependent children and to the disabled. In the 1953 Legislature I sponsored the bill which sought to bring Florida for the rst time into the aid-to-disabled program. These programs should. be administered soundly. courteoust and with fairnessvto both the indi- viduals entitled to assistance and the taxpayers. 5. Conservation and Restoration of Natural Resources: No state has a greater stake in this eld than Florida. As the legislative sponsor of the State Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. I naturally favor making more parks enjoyable to more people. I favor expansion of the Everglades National Park to its fullest useful extent, with a West Coast as well as an East Coast entrance. We have a twoold water problemtoo much and too little. I will exert every effort to get completion of the South and Central Florida ood control project. I will urge scientic development and conservation of our fresh water supply. Our forest opportunities should be developed effectively, not only {or beauty but also to keep wood-consuming industries adequately supplied. The state should head local public interest in the dis- position of submerged lands. The beauty of our inland 5 waterways should be protected. their usefulness devel- oped. The maintenance of adequate public beaches is of prime importance. 1 will make appointments assuring non-political handling of the work of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. I advocate the bringing of millions of addi- tional acres under game management. opening more lands and more lakes to public hunting and shing. Hyacinth control must be expanded. Our opportunities in the field of salt water conservation and development are practically un- limited. I am hopeful that the interim study oi this field authorized by the last legislature will point the way to sound, tar-reaching progress. The eld of conservation offers one of our greatest opportunities for consolidation of activities, for settle- ment of conflicts. We must recognize the economic value of commercial shing to the state and encourage its de- velopment short of interference with sports shing. which is one of our greatest pleasures and greatest assets. 6. Agricultural and Industrial Research and De- velopment: We must step up and coordinate our efforts to make more land more protsny productive and to provide more Jobs for more people. I will look to those actively engaged in such agricul- tural pursuits as citrus, vegetable and livestock growing for leadership and advice on policies aecting their interests. I will urge adequate financing of practical re- search and experimentation in both agricultural and industrial iields. I will cooperate with the Inter-American Cmmcil in the development of a cultural and trade center and with any similar groups sponsoring projects which give prom- ise of adding strength and balance to our state. 7. Highways Adequate to Meet Proven Needs: Florida faces no greater. no more urgent problem than the inadequacy of its primary or arterial highways. Promises alone will not make them wider. smoother or safer. In fact. we must make an entirely new approach. eliminating political considerations and spending our road money where established needs require. 1 recommend that the state discontinue the policy of dividing primary road money according to Road Board district lines, based on old congres- sional districts which have little or no relation to existing requirements. I will urge legal designa- tion of a state arterial system Joining population centers. Provision should be made for ultimate reasonable limited access features on highways within this system. ' I also will seek to insure long-range programming of road construction by having terms or Road Board mem- bers staggered so that "an entire board is not displaced at the start of each Governors term and by protecting career personnel from political pressures. Staggered terms are also important in view of various bond programs. including those for the Lower Tampa Bay Bridge. the Jacksonville Expressway. the Manatee. Sarasota. Martin and Broward bridges. Such reforms will correct abuses which have made it necessary for us to look to a toll road for early solution of at least our north-south through tramc problem. The results of changing our ways will not be felt in time to enable us to delay the turnpike. The authorized part of it should be started now. and, realizing that any toll road financing rests on a determination of feasibility. I will urge the Legislature to authorize full-length exten- sion. The route of a turnpike of any length is not for the Governor to decide. but I believe a Central Florida route offers the best overall solution. I favor a cross- state spur to the Tampa Bay areasfree if possible. I do not see a turnpike as eliminating the need lor adequate free highways. I favor it only as the earliest possible answer to an urgent problem. and as an ultimate generator of additional, traffic. I naturally prefer free highways. 1 will pursue the McCarty Administration program of full four- ianing of U. 8. l. the need for which is obvious. Four ianing is a necessity on many other highways in all sections of the state. There are other equally clear needs including completion of the Jackson- ville Expressway and closing of the gap between 'the Gulf Coast Highway and the Lower Tampa Bay Bridge. I will carry forward as speedily as possible these and similar programs to which the state has been committed. All such commitments can be met within a reasonable time only by adopting reforms suchaslproposeorsuchaswillresultfroma current study by the Legislative Council. The need for a sound farm-to-market or secondary road program is vital. These roads serve not only our agricultural and commercial 'needs but also serve as essential feeders for our arterial system. I favor con- tinuing the policy of allowing county commission review of secondary road projects. A completely revised State Road Department law should prohibit the letting of contracts in excess of cash available within the construction period. I will oppose any general state-wide bond program for highway con- struction. , 8. Effective Highway Safety Program: We must do more than deplore deaths and injuries in automobile accidents. We must develop a positive pro- gram around the three Es of highway safety: Enforce- ment. Education and Engineering. I propose expanding the Highway Patrol suf- ficiently to assure complete and effective patrol 'i work. Lower automobile insurance rates would more than offset the cost. I will advocate uniform traffic regulations and de- vices. not only to avoid confusion but also to combat speed traps. I will advocate periodic reexaminations to get unsafe drivers off the highways and strict law enforcement to eliminate the repeaters and drunken drivers from the highways. Instruction in safe driving should be given every boy and girl in our public schools. Our roads should be carefully engineered for safety. 9. Aggressive Campaign to Promote Plorda's Tourist Business: The appropriation for the State Advertising Commission must be regarded as insufficient as long as the state can get more than an offsetting return on its investment. We must be alert to new and proper ideas for at- tracting and entertaining visitors. summer and winter. Our accommodations. our activities, our parks. our roads. our government. our hospitality must not disappoint them. Wherever possible, we must coordinate our ap- peals and our events. In this. I will provide leadership ' and encourage active state participation when practicable. I will devote active attention to programs de- signed to attract retired persons to Florida and to regulations aimed at protecting them against abuses and disappointments. 10. No Additional Taxes We can make the progress envisioned in this platform without adding to the tax burden because Florida is a growing state. Especially since enactment of the sales taxas unpleasant as the necessity for this broadening of our tax base wasour revenue from existing sources has grown space with the demands of a bigger and better state. We canand we shouldalways consider correction of inequities in our tax structure. thereby easing the bur- . den where it is unfair. Just as we must protect state tax sources against federal encroachment, we must assure fair and adequate sources of revenue to our cities and counties. The property tax field has been left to them. In view of their present heavy reliance on state aid for certain functions, the state has a duty to all its taxpayers to make provisions for the use of standard uniform assessment policies by the respective counties. Especially with the achievement of economy and ef- ficiency in state government and with home rule offering the same opportunity in local government. I am condent we can carry Florida forward without additional taxes. With all the energy and ability at my comand, with constructive leadership. with stable government, I will do Just that. t X 8 .