Planning Board
Active dates:1934-1939
Authority:
Executive Order, Governor Floyd B. Olson, 1934
Function: The board coordinated the efforts of federal, state, and local government agencies in a number of surveys and planning projects in the areas of land use, forest development, transportation, water resources planning and water conservation, rural electrification, city planning, state finances and taxes, education, public health, recreation, and social security and public welfare.
History:
The State Planning Board was created in February, 1934, by executive order of Governor Floyd B. Olson. This act was in response to a circular (December 1933) issued by the National Planning Board urging the creation of state planning agencies to assist in formulating public works programs designed to provide unemployment relief.
The governor initially appointed nineteen members, several of whom were also on the staff of the State Emergency Relief Administration and other state agencies. The board's staff was financed through the State Emergency Relief Administration, although board members served without pay. The board coordinated the efforts of federal, state, and local government agencies in a number of surveys and planning projects in the areas of land use, forest development, transportation, water resources planning and water conservation, rural electrification, city planning, state finances and taxes, education, public health, recreation, and social security and public welfare. Information gathered was made available to the staff of the State Emergency Relief Administration to use in planning works projects. The board produced a large number of maps, charts, and graphs, some of which accompanied its reports.
In January, 1939, Governor Harold Stassen created a Resources Commission and to it transferred most of the members of the Planning Board. Its primary activity was to be research on and interpretation of economic and social problems.
Membership:
Nineteen members.
Record last updated:
10/11/2013
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