Office of the Governor MEMO 12-21-79 TO: WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS, JR. RE: OZARKS REGIONAL COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP Austin, Texas 78711 Phone (512) 475-3021 Apparently Governor Nigh's staff came up with the idea of including Texas in the Ozarks Regional Commission which currently consists of the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma in their entirety. The structure and operation of this Commission is very similar to the 4 states Border Commission in that the Commission is headed by a federal and a state co-chairman; each state must appropriate funds to cover the administrative cost of the Commission; and the Commission is eligible to receive federal funds for specific grant programs. Total federal funds available to the Ozarks Regional Commission is based upon the population of the member states. The five states in this Commission have always adhered to the policy that the total federal funds made available to the Commission should be divided equally between each state without regard to each state's population or particular needs. Thus, if Texas joined this Commission, the other 5 member states would stand to experience a substantial increase in federal funds. Our participation would require legislative appropriation. Nigh's staff indicates that it would be possible and appropriate for the Commission to carry Texas for a two year period. The Texas contribution would be somewhere between 60 and 70 thousand dollars annually. Federal grant funds that would be made available to Texas because of our participation would be approximately 2 million dollars annually. Governor Nigh apparently got the impression that we had agreed to join the Commission and directed his staff to receive the requisite approval of the other 4 member states. All five state governors have now signed a resolution inviting Texas to join. When I heard of this latest development, I told Nigh's people that we would evaluate the situation further but that I thought Texas would not be joining the Commission. I spoke two days ago with Sam Hammons, Governor Nigh's executive, with the idea of finding out just how keen Nigh was on Texas joining. Sam called back and said that Nigh would like to have us join but that it was your call and that Nigh's and your relationship would not suffer if you said you did not want to do so. Sam also said that Governor Nigh would like to speak with you personally about the matter. Participation would be a net plus to Texas in terms of dollars. It would also represent an additional commitment of your personal time. However, your association with this group might forge relationships that could in the future help our water situation in West Texas. Governor Nigh will be asking you in essence to reconsider and agree to join the Commission. hi _____________DAVID A. DEAN ___ co•nii..31 riluncel