PAGE 1 The LeRoy Collins Platform: 10 Keys to Florida's Future 1. Clean. Efficient, Econormical Government at All Levels: I will Cot orlerte graft, corruptiao or dishonest practices of any kind or degree. u will hot hitate to susPend on ground Pecifid I. the Conutitutn, state or toity efeklels alone urupencrn apers usIfred t ater full and fair Public hearings. To protect any such effalse sagauntl abuse of the execuiive power of aursenIlon, such hearings ill be required ascePt in cases of great emergency. I will wank with the Attorney General and leal law enforcmrn ffcieas in the drol.oRpmnt of an effuetice paogra, rof puetau, for combating crIme which crosses county ioes or requires technical hell beyond local rsource. The establishment of ter-county tysI'ms of tummureauIlls Icr a-ti-cina wure also will rve of areat alue a will tee u Itt that state agenote Play their proper roles I a coordinated Iawecnforcemoent Pra rattt, with competent and adcquatc muauPoer. I will Oppose legalization of any new form Of 9amblog. Will insist that presently lealari Ptl-mutuel wagering be inducted .ndrt the cleanest Possible conititos, with the return to the state maintained at a fair =nl adequate level through sound tax law, and slt If refiement of laws against illegal heating. Or government m.st r clean, lr both legal and eatral l a rd. Where loaPholes Iowr or lega "andard's and make Peroseolian difficult, I Chill trek 10 har the laws storgtheoed. This apPlies to the numberr' or bolita racket which I, still a ery real problem in souc sections of aor state It a11s applies to a wide eornao other crime. Inlo statutes, iolluding the la against sale of liquor to miators. I Will Jolt, in seeking solutions to juvenilee delinquency and aes crimrs. I well cot tolerate waste. A bill whio h I sponsored to passage by the Senate las ear Proposed creation of a Stotf Governmental Reorganization Council with the PurPOs of reducing rOPenditures nd increasing efficiency through coaolidation of state agencies having cimilare functions and aboliahment of non-esenbial agercies. Elimination of overlapping is needed Particularly P'arttOd be Coller, e Goaernor 0t0-0 H-d-aetor PAGE 2 in the beids of state tax couection, inspectIon elrvtoics, Conservation of natural renores, agrictuitoal setviCese and penal administration. I will cooperate with the Legislaive Council and other appropriate bodies in achieving concrete results along thete lines. Boards regulating the professinas and other occupatinal groups in our state shouldoerne the-e groups but also protect the pubbl. It ,s this obligation to the public which alone con justify their eiatence Members of these baeda should be qualefiod by eneenee and training and oat tolitcal faritism. I fnaor the sound use of the Purchasing Council. cotoblished by the last Leilatne, to detenune standards and maximum prices tor state puitbases and require cametti-ve bidding. I wi oppose the use of pubic funds for propaganda promoting office holders or political Fo public e nloment to ottract and hold lffIcient pesonnl, the pay mut be fair. I natarally will psoce Budget Commsion investigation looking to establishment of a uniform personal system Iae one slate. This inestietin ,eas authnetzed by a bill which I onsorsed. State ealtyees honere peerfnrIng needed se.iecs and doing their jobs melt should hal merit system protection against political reprisals. I ill continue my work for Impremenat of ar retirement systesa. I i l tetik the abolishment of the f e systeon a a rsis for comn-sa Ing county office a nd the establishment of a salary schedule reasotable to ofncials and tobxpmyers. Gonclment is no better than the people who admttliter it. Al appountmets made by me to serve in state or local office will be men or women of the highest chatacter and ability. 2. Constitutional Revision Om Constitution of 1885 badly ods a genraf onehauling. Any tch rension, boweec, should be siblect to a final aolproval ot of the people and our Constitstan 0. it new stands does oat o require. I offer this plan to get the Job done in ihe two-eac term. (a) Pa-oag hy the 1955 Lecislature of an emergency aneod.ent to the present Cmonsitutio proenoiag ce 01500 of a Constitutional Commission to Ne appointed jontel by the Gveenor. Chief Jostie, Senate President and Honuo S;Xeakee (b) A special election on thi amendment in the fail of 19551 (e) The draftin oa a pe Co.s totion by the Comissin within approxImately slx months, and at lonst long toe public otody sot A tote by the people at the general election W Nfvnemlee 1956 on the Coostitutoa than proposed. 2 PAGE 3 The amendment creating the Commission must pro,ide for retention of such basic policies of the state as tuomesilead exemption. the prohibitions against state bonds anld income tax, legislative authority to distribute partiutuet fx revenue to the counties as at preset, and constituttOnat security dor school building bods and other existing obligations. No Governor shomd attempt to dictate a sew Coostisutton, but there ae certain fields in nhich the needs fr reision are clear, Tese include-and I favor: (a) A e" ",an foe successonshni to the Offlc of the Goen-e in the eet. of the Goernor's death or disobility; itt L-eisiative esnaeortonentt with t fairer distributton of representation to the moe poaoss areos: tc) Elimination of the os bill c-it from the Legis,store anld establishment of .sornd systern of Illo Rule; (i) Reste'ofton of exeeotive sessions OS it, SenSate and g cea' tateSment of the broad notice of the state requitrint oen meetings of all fubi bodies; e) feoroanization of sue .-.ts, now under ontinetop study by the Judicial Commit, the establishment of which I so-sred I the 1953 Session; if) Removal of pardon powers from politics and the devetopect of i ostdinatted peonal system; to) Rcorgantoation of execertive departments. where costitottanatlreisio isncessary to aeieve consotidations economy and efficiency: (h) Creation of a State Tao Athortty to etltintate ineoutiesI. ossressets; and (i) Creation of o State Department of Labor, epecilly owthat the Fedeati Goe etonent i sonsidering abrogating 00 the states some of Its Jurisdiction in dealing with labor eaions matters. To me it seems establishment of the leative office of Limtentalit Goecrnor-the officeholder to preside Oer the Senate-hould be considered with relation to both legislative and ecutie reforms as -1ot as in answer t0 the sntcessorship mueutiant The question of o andstitatint Psrocision tfr ftht Legislature so call itself lnto session also should be rtadied with great care. I was the co-sponsor last year ot a proposed Constitutional Amendment, which the people sill rate ot this Norember, allowing the Legislature to extend its eganar sessions be as ..oeb as 30 days., ot noessaeily ronseoutive. If this amendment is adopted, the Legislature likely will be in session through o large part of le"sfative yars The atternt years are elertao Years. att legislators seeking reelection might be subject to bresa from special groups wanting special sessions to gal special benefits. The danger. however might be moiimied by excludin appropriation and tax matters from any self-started session, The emotional 'new we new take of conetituti.naI coafusian revealed by the loss of a great Go.enr and 3 A PAGE 4 by the dictotorial secure of power which followed, atould not attract us to hurried ehanres embodynrg poslite greater evils We "ust use ith interest no arO,to,,d elfeet 0sund, oaerlly planned revision of our Constituhon. ThiS I propose to do. with the help of the Citien Constitution Committee and othee interested oganzaotiont. 3. Better Educational Facilities and Opportunities Iy record oet my oenvition that eductton is one of those foundation fieldso 1Wa0h we huold .better state, a bettlr fut, e. It is the meeting of a responsibility to Ou hIlren and a good buonest investment an welt. Gains under the Min mtms Fuoudation Pro tm mait he pOteted utainst undermning mendento 00d extented ben f 0n the minium. An adequate pelganm should now be onr goal The state and ounties must shar the ftnneaeul burden a the ability of each allows. Adtealte funds mist Provide: (a) Tn handle Feritd's cosantly riienp ho -1ntntttntt ,bI To Pay better natarien an that tt teaching profes,on wU attract capable enunn people and hold goad teaches; :o0 To gont oatftelent snho-nPes: di To furnish neessary administrative and elteipal >T glee pTptl .t the litral, cuidane and other speota nerolets neeay for their progress and weetale. If) To eostruet adequate and well destined athgnl IPI OTt e o ntulable onlttent textbohks, libatoy tmateials atd other noe tools for both PuP1s and tettherl and ,h) To arane atn ndeqtate school ttnh Proam. I wtll 0rk with the Board of Control on a long-range peoam att r the devopm~nt 01 out niveerotles tao et the higher learning demands of a growing and progesdoe state. Tip denttrte training of leaderhh-fo indutry, a"r..eure the peofevstons and 9oetrmet-is __toti., 000 in O sfenSe t lunry. At my eo ...d shows, I .or the tometon of the Medaln School at the University of Florida and otate support for the Medical OrhtOl a1 the Olntvtrity of Miam0. Volt udsaotnge should he taket of ou nppottuittes m the tf101d0of rdooatlnnal lelenision and adult edeuetion. Our rotational rehabilitation opportunities olo are ohalleongn, and these servioet should be expanded. 4. Improved Labor. Health and Welf are Standards In reovisg the Cnstittnon to make provision for a department of labor, we must not contemplante the stare entering into ny phase of labor-management reotion. with a pfutive attitude toward either penployens or enployes. I do not roard choe Labor as gn attration to m d inutrs. On the ontraur. I thlolk Florida's 4 PAGE 5 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 eeomise of life In pleasant, healthy communities offering good schools and the other attraction s of good government. Important to the state as .whole and a Proper field for state encouragement cogeat ion is the soutiOn of I0ch local problems a, t ponnn. industrial waste sewage disposal and drainage. I lravId d leadership in the Senate last year for a slate program of mosquito eradication aod research, and I recognize the importance of carrying this pirogrm forward. We moot conclave the Irogressvy a' roech wch in reeat years has carried Florida to the foryfryt in Public health work, particularly in reducing comunicle dlceae., matecal and infant death aes. and as deofing roanty health depiartments. I want Florida to make further srssress in other fields. Particularly iosre anrer cinis; in diabetes coneol and in mental health by the Operation of regional hospitals far the insane and expansion of or Ireentive program through distrit psyrkiatric clinirs and a mere Intenase emoram of training and research. f will ropoar a study looking to humane car of the senile. As a sponsor of Florida's first old age assistance Prograom I have long been on record in favor of a sound and adequate welfare program. The state should do its utmost in the for fields of Federal aid-to the aged, in the blind, to dependent children and to the disabled. In the 1953 Legislature I sosored the bill wthich smught to brina Florida for the first time into tie aid-to-disabled grograo. 'Tese groamsct should be administered Soundly, courteously and with fairness to both the indivcduhss entitled to assistance and she tcpayers. 5. Conservation and Restoration of Natural Resource No state has a reader stake in this field than Florida. As the legislativessvr of the State Biaird of Parks and Historic Memorials. I naturally favor making more parks enjoyable to more People. I favor easssion of the Fvrglades National Park to its fullest teful ctsct. with a West Coast as well a. .it Eist Cat rntcaace. We have c tao-fold water proble-tc much and too little. I will exrt every effort to get comflttin of the South and Centea Florida flood control project. I will urge cs eltbfccdevloment anid conrsectuo0 of ty fresh otor supply. Ose foest peortnm-atte should be developed effectively not only for beauty but also to keep wood-eronsmig Industries adesusatey supplied. The state should hted local public interest in the dnsgolton ye sabmeeged lads. Tne beauty of oe snlantd PAGE 6 waterways should be protected, theer usefulss deeIoped. The maintenance of adequate luhdi heOrhen r, of ptrime importanCe I win matte appointments assuring non-poolfttn1 handling of the work of the Game and Fresh Water Fir Commission. I dvorate the hringtn of millions of addif0ial tets onder fame mnaoement opening me land and more take to Public huntn and fishing. H0acilth control mo.o te enpaded. Osr mnortunities tn the iid of solt .ato, onoervntin and development are eratically n Ited. I am hopeful tMat the interim ,lsdy of this field autlooied b the last egtisoreee will pitl the way so so .t, fr-rean progrs. The dtetd of tonscrvation Ofes one oa our eatet o eeie t for n oan ofattvitie. for settlemeet t onflits. We mttt scgnoza the econm vau of o.ttrtatl fntt to the state and encourage ts denslnpen t soet of intereeene with sports tInote oot s ane of Otto Createdt pleasures and greatest ats G. Agricultural and Industrial Research and Development: We mot.stsep up and cooedimate our etfoe Is to make more land nore prothloy productive and to provide mote jobs for more people. I adlt k to 1t, a1tatv2elnts d a insueh alri turot rtturss aso trr, eetale and eatok grons for leoadrthip asnd advice r. Polites affeetiag their interest. I well nrs destae fitanneg of traetieal researh and eaperrenat.tian hn both arieltoe mid bndustrial foolds. I nll 'rpeate with the Inter-Ameeian Council i the dtalopen't of a cltonal and trade center and with ay similar otoui spansorig projects widh give promoe of admig ttreangth and balance to our ,tait 7. Highways Adequate to Meet Proven Needs: Florida faces no greater, no more urgent problem than the inadequacy of its primary or arterirl highwavs. Promises alone t will nt make thens ider, mother or ,afer. In fact. we must make an entirely new appereoh e "imieatjit pentical considerations and spending our rad money where established needs reuore. I ree,.mend that the slat ditramne the enifcy of ddid r phsria.r road neano acordoi, Road Board district lines, based on 0111 conrestionat districts which Iet.n little or no rathona ta eistina require nnnts. I will urge lral designattio of a state srteriat sesten jetonin -pout[. centers. Pevision sahatld be ado for lttmate resnable limited ncess features on highways .it.i this system. I ats will serk to insure long-range praoromming of gnad constreanhn by having temo of Road Boad meem- PAGE 7 bere staggered so that an entire board is not displaced at le start of each Governor's tem and by protecting career pernoinl from political pressures. Staggered terms are also important to view of various bond pro e, including those for the Lower Terma, Bay Bridge, the Joaksta ills Epi esay, the Manaite, Saroota, Martin nd B3roward rOidge. ai=crloros will correct abuse, which lire made it nea-taary for rs to look to a toll road for raily solrutom of at least or nor h-oth through tfric prebucm. Thr reta.ls of charging aor way wI not be fell in time to ruble as to delay the turnpkeo Thi authorized part of I should be slatted now. and. realitzig that aty toll r.ad finance rsts on a determination of feasibility. I win rge the Le-islatre to authorize frill-lingth astension. The rout of a turnpike of any lrg1h is not for the Covernor to decide, but I beliv i. Cntrlral Fida ront olyris habeat overall sonlitin. I favor a cross0atre er to the Tampa Bay area-free if paor-ble. I do nit sre a"tnrnpik as eliminating the need 9r adeiute free hirars. I favor it ndy as the eariest possible answer to an argent prbdem. and .s an ultimate generator nf aditinnat trattir. I naturally prefer free hinats. I will pursue the Mccarty Administration program "t "ntl tonrhaning of U. S. 1, the ned for which is obvious. Four laranin is a neessity on many there highways in all setios of lie state There are other eeuaoly elear needs inladins rorltinion of the Jacksonville Exiresway and catsios of the can between the Gulf Coast Highway aid the 1neer Tampa Boy Bridge. I will carry forward as speedily as eassitlIe these and similar oramsm t which the state has bern committed All s,,ch ammitmentts can be net within a reasonable time only by adoptis,reforms such as I propose or such as will result from a current study by the Legislative Coanri. TIre nered for a tond larn-io-maoketnoceodary rad program is vital. Thee rcads seir iot ony oae arcultuaI and ommerial Ireds hot alo se as orstIal feders fto ar or ecral ossiom. I f,.er entinruog the porey of airari aclnty commiassorn ratr of secondary Ird precltt A comlctely raircd ta e Road Department law o21d prohibit lin fatracts in rests of cri Ovai bl within 01a curosract an period. I oll eispose tiny aeaeri orate-wide bond prangrm for highway canstructon. 8. Effective Highway Safety Program: We must do more than deplore leaths and injuries in antmobill accidents. We lut develop a positive progra around the threat E' of highway safety: Elfortemrrrrt Edcm at nnd Eniiieeiie. I prone exartin the Highay Patrol stfttrientiy in asne nonrplte and effective latret PAGE 8 1ork. Lower automobile isarance rates mould more tham offset the cost. l will aDvoat, uniform traffic regulattioons and devies_ oot only to avoid bOn uon tut als to coarolt seedri trots. I will advocate perodlit eextamtinto nso to at tinsfe drivers off the highways and triet law en-nfremttent to elainate the repeaters and druken trir rotam t e tnhih ys tnttucton in sate driving should be tiven every bov ad Prt in tr public sc Our rod, ohold tie carefullY eginered to, safety. 9. Aggressive Campaign to Promote Florda's Tourist Business: The aeuroiation for the State Adreettsina Coamissiuo moot be regartled as tnuetiient as ion as ite state aan get more taa offsetting ,etur. on its investment. We mutt be alert to new and protpee ideas for at. teatina fd entretanon' visitor, ,umr and winter. Ournettoodatnon, ode Ottvitest attn paekn or roads, Ontr government, -it turtttpitliy D.nnt not dataint thn. Whenevesr pnhie, a must tordinat our alpDeal and our even aIn this, I will provide leadrnp mid eneouragr acgire state iarticipation when ietittble. I will denote atite attention to programs tuigned to ttede retired prsons to Foeida anrd to e-Otulaliona aimed at frotecltn them ..ofnst b.ses ad disointutmrts. 10. No Additional Taxes We ran make the oatress ttnvirned in thl, platform wth t addingto dhi thr brden because Flida is rwng tate. Et peily sdre Detedoent of the sales txunpleaant as the necesity for thes beradenon of our tox hase nor-ur revenue from eaisn a.,"noes has grown apace with the demands If a bigger and better tote, We ltn-and we should-always conotde er .retoo at inesoities in our tax stactre therehy eating tie brdon whee it il fair. just as we mrst protect 0afo t"' suret aainsl federal encroachment, we must asfore lair ond odeqtale sonresotnn reue to ourecitiet and counties. The pro ey tan eld h r bettnll to them. In new of their Present heay rlatce oa state aid far ertn futiuo, the ate has a duty to ail its taxsayoers to make r-oisloas for the use or standard uniform asssment polileas by the reorspetie coutiet. Eahenially with the achievement of economy and efCirneory in state government and with home rule offering the same opportunity in local government. I am confident we ran carry Florida forward without additional taxes. With all the energy and ability at my comatnd, with constructive leadership. with stable sernent, I wiU do Just that. .... 8