Evening star., 1961-09-24

lOFCI CIAdPPA1AS'
Gov. Almond appointed tht
commission to study the gov,
eminent Of Virginia in July
1860.
After q years deliberations
the commission presented Gov
Almond Friday with a repor
which proposed to:
Set up two new department.
the department of economic
development and the depart
ment of corrections and parole
Free the Governor Of routine
and time-consuming chores BY
the addition of key aides.
Consolidate the eight divi-
sions of the State department
of education into four.
Designate the commissions
as the chief executive officer
of the department of menta
hygiene and hospitals. The de-
partment's director, who nov
shares dual control, would con-
tinue to supervise business af-
fairs.
Make the department of pro-
fessional and occupational reg
istration responsible for the
administration of eight exam
lining, licensing and registra-
ton boards, now separately ad.
ministered.
Transfer supervision and
control of Longwood, Madison
and Radford colleges from the
State board of education to q
State teacher education board
Other Changes Proposed
A series of other changes
also was proposed in the 81
page report.
The commission noted that
more than IL years had passed
since the last thorough study
of State government made dur
| ing the administration of Gov
William M. Tuck.
Demands multiplied fol-
public services in education
health, welfare, other fields,
said the report. Expenditures
of public funds grew larger and
larger. State budgets climbed
steadily upward.
"All signs indicated that the
upward trend will continue
New taxes may be unavoidable. ;
In a press briefing, Gov. Al
mond said, there's nothing
frivolous in this report" He
said he would commend 1t to
the 1862 General Assembly and
to his successor as Governor
E. H. Will of Richmond
commission chairman and
board chairman of Virginia
Electric & Power Co., said he
thought the suggested reforms
would not cost the State any
more money initially but even-
tually would save money
through increased efficiency.
Economic Development Cited
Gov. Almond said he per-
sonally would give "a pretty
high priority" to the proposal
for legislation to set UP a new
department Of economic devel-
opment.
This matter of industrial
development is highly compet-
tive" he said, land the COM
petition is keen"
The commission in its re-
port said the division of in
dustrial development and plan
ming in the present conserva-
ton department cannot real
ize it's full potential in the
present setup. Neither, for that
matter, can the conservation
divisions. This is waste"
1t. Gov. A. E. s. Stephens
proposed a separate depart
ment of economic development
in his unsuccessful quest fol
the Democratic nomination fol
Governor last summer. The
July primary winner. AlbertiS
S. Harrison, jr., didn't commit
himself.
On the matter of the Gov
ernor's office. the commission
recommended Legislation
transferring responsibility fol
pardons and reprieves from the
Governor to the State parole
board. The parole board would
become the State board Of par
dons, reprieveS and parole. The
| Governor, however, would re-
tain the power to commute
death sentences.
The commission also pro-
posed an office of Co-ordina.
ton, headed by a staff CO.
ordinator, in the Governors
office. In this office would be
a new division of program anc
the present budget and per.
sonnel divisions.
Seen Aid to Governor
! The staff co-ordinator, to be
appointed by the Governor
would spare the Governors
time, nerves and energy anc
I facilitate paperwork which &C.
cumulates in the Governor.
absence, the report declared
Also proposed was the trans
fer of the commission on the
aging to the department ot
welfare.
In proposing a consolidation
of authority in the Mental Hy-
giene Department, the report
noted:
"Top-level responsibility ir
the department is now divided
between two executives, the
commissioner of mental by.
giene and the director of men.
tai hospitals. Both officials re-
port directly to the State hos.
.pital board.
THE commission has con.
cluded that under this ar.
rangement neither of the two