Journal of the Senate of the State of Texas, Regular Session of the Sixty-First Legislature, Volume 1 Page: 48
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48 SEAT JOUNA
ernor of the State of Texas, accom-
panied by Mrs. Smith, Mr. and Mrs.
Preston Michael (Mickey) Smith and
daughter, Kelly, and Mr. and Mrs.
Conrad Schmid, was announced by
the Doorkeeper of the House.
The Speaker of the House present-
ed Miss Kelly Smith, granddaughter
of Governor Smith, to the Joint Ses-
sion.
The Governor's party was escorted
to the Speaker's Rostrum by Senators
Aikin, Blanchard, Berry, Christie and
Creighton, on the part of the Senate,
and Representatives Tarbox, Allen of
Gregg, Slider, Hall, Longoria, At-
wood, Burgess, Floyd, Pickens, Stew-
art, Cole and Semos, on the part of
the House.
The Speaker, the Honorable Gus
Mutscher, presented His Excellency,
the Honorable Preston Smith, Gover-
nor of Texas, to the Joint Session.
Governor Smith then addressed
the Joint Session as follows:
"Mr. Speaker of the House, Mr. Presi-
dent of the Senate, Members of the
61st Legislature, Ladies and Gen-
tlemen :
"This scene is familiar, although my
own role is new.
"On many previous occasions I have
been among the listeners as a Gov-
ernor delivered his first message to
the Legislature. Thus, I know what
intermingled feelings of anticipation
. . . curiosity . . . concern . . . and
skepticism you are experiencing at
this time.
"Hopefully, I would like to think
that there also might be, in your
hearts, at least a small glow of char-
ity.
"To each of you . . . my former col-
leagues, and to those of you who are
also new on the job . .. I quickly
offer to you my hand in a spirit of
cooperation.
"I am fully aware of your impor-
tance to me-your importance to the
state and to the federal system under
which we operate. While the structure
of government properly separates us,;
it need not divide us. Responsibility
to the people of Texas must keep us
together.
"To your able young presiding offi-
cers I propose and I pledge a true
partnership . . . one in which our re-
spective functions will be recognized
but not emphasized . . . and one inwhich our differences will be resolved
by frank and full communication.
"I doubt if any other state in the
Union has two legislative leaders with
the ability, the energy, the knowledge
and the dedication of Ben Barnes and
Gus Mutscher.
"We are all lucky to have them.
"My message today will be more
general than specific, although it will
include a number of specific recom-
mendations.
I might comment here that-while
this occasion today did not come ex-
actly as a surprise-it is mechani-
cally difficult for an incoming gov-
ernor to prepare a full-scale budget
report within a few days of his inau-
guration. As Governor Connally point-
ed out last week, it is clearly proper
for the new Governor to have this re-
sponsibility but there is no provision
for staff services and research until
he has actually taken office.
"I acknowledge, with gratitude, the
helpful cooperation I have received
on every hand since the General Elec-
tion. This assistance has come from
the Governor's Office, the Legislative
Budget Board, the Legislative Coun-
cil, the Comptroller and other State
officials and--in the private sector-
the Texas Research League.
"Without this help it would have
been impossible to bridge the gap be-
tween election and inauguration.
"It would still be well, as the outgo-
ing governor recommended, for the in-
coming governor to have the authority
to establish an interim office financed
from public funds rather than at his
own expense.
"I agree with Governor Connally and
join him in recommending this change
in our existing budget laws for the
benefit of our next governor. (While
the change should be made at this
session, I want to make it clear that
I am not unduly eager to see it put
into effect.)
"In drawing the broad outlines of a
legislative program, we have the ben-
efit of several valuable estimates and
studies.
"The Comptroller's official and pre-
liminary estimate of revenue, already
submitted to you, showed gross Gen-
eral Revenue for the next biennium
of about $1.6 billion.
"Both Governor Conally's budget
recommendations and those of the
Legislative Budget Board track that
forecast.
"But I must remind you that the es-48
SENATE JOURNAL
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Texas. Legislature. Senate. Journal of the Senate of the State of Texas, Regular Session of the Sixty-First Legislature, Volume 1, legislative document, 1969; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth145999/m1/48/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.