Petty, Dan 1972, 1973
Tape 1: Dan Petty, executive assistant to Governor Preston Smith, describes sources for information in an initial interview for the oral history project. Tape 2: Petty describes the work of the Division of Planning Coordination and assesses the Smith administration accomplishments.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Dan Petty
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: December 18, 1972; May 30, 1973
Location: Austin, Texas
Interviewer: Roy Sylvan Dunn and Fred Carpenter
Length: 55 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Interviewer explains purpose of interview,
Petty promises a staff list and his report to the legislature,
Summarizes the Governor as a "people" person,
Suggests sources for information on Preston Smith,
Points to outsiders, former staff members, agency personnel,
Emphasizes evolution of Texas Governor’s office,
Refers interviewer to others for statewide resources,
Interviewer discusses research restrictions,
Wishes to broaden study to include Smith’s non-gubernatorial service,
Recommends Jerry Conn’s book on Smith.
Tape 1, Side 2: Blank
Tape 2, Side 1: Autobiography presented,
Entered Smith administration in Division of Planning Coordination (1969),
Vernon McGee and Harold Dudley mentioned,
Formation of governor’s office and Texas Research League,
Moved to Executive Assistant (October 1971-January 1973),
Division of Planning Coordination, history and function given,
Goals for Texas, coordination of state-local agencies,
and federal programs, and councils of governments outlined,
Limits of constitution remarked,
Goals for Texas tried to answer where state was and where it was going (1969),
Vernon McGee guided effort; Ed Grisham directed staff,
Describes various phases of program,
Budget, 1971, translated data from Goals for Texas,
State budgeting described,
Preston Smith’s alternative to traditional budget (1972),
Recommends people to interview.
Tape 2, Side 2: Describes governor’s executive assistant position,
General manager of governor’s office,
Conflict in Smith administration,
Rural to urban, "New Federalism," Sharpstown,
scandals, Republican emergence noted,
News media inaccurate about Smith because of his honesty,
Smith as a populist,
The governor’s background and interests outlined,
News media cited again,
Smith’s address to the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs,
Lists Governor Smith’s strengths and accomplishments.
Range Dates: 1968-1973
Bulk Dates: 1968-1973
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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