Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
66328737
label
50 States Project (2)
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
66328737
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
50 States Project (2)
citationUrl
collections
Records of the Office of the Chief of Staff (Reagan Administration)
James Cicconi's Subject Files
thumbnailUrl
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
66328737
coverageEndDate
logicalDate
1985-12-31
year
1985
coverageStartDate
logicalDate
1981-01-01
year
1981
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
fd77c4ac48558be3
ocrText
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 25, 1984
TO: MIKE MCMANUS
The attached is an attempt to combine
the various drafts into a single,
agreed introduction to the 50 States
Project Report. I think it is a
good document that approaches the
subject in the manner we all felt best.
Please let me know what you think.
You may also want to show it to MKD
for his reaction.
Thanks.
Jim Cicconi
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 25, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR JIM CICCONI
FROM:
LEE L. VERSTANDIG her
SUBJECT:
FIFTY STATES PROJECT
Attached are my comments and suggested corrections to the latest
draft introductory materials to the Fifty States Project Report.
As you can see, I have concurred with most of the draft and have
noted the few changes. In addition, I have attached a title page
which I would recommend include the names of Faith and Trudy as
indicated. The acknowledgment page that I have attached gives
the appropriate and agreed upon acknowledgment to Jeff Miller.
Per your comments earlier today, Eliza's draft has apparently
been incorporated in the attached introductory materials. You
may recall that we rewrote the letter going out from the White
House from her proposal. We recommend that the letter go to the
Fifty State Representatives and be signed by Trudy. The other
substantial differences between our draft and Eliza's were in the
history section and some editorial corrections similar to the
ones which I have made in the attached.
Please let me know how we proceed from here.
Attachments
CC: Donatelli
THE FIFTY STATES PROJECT
1984 Report
Faith Ryan Whittlesey
Assistant to the President
for Public Liaison
Trudi Michelle Morrison
Project Director
Acknowledgements
The Fifty States Projects acknowledges with special thanks the
work of Jeffrey R. Miller for directing the preparation of
this report and Eliza Paschall for assisting. The Project is
also grateful for help provided by Lee L. Verstandig,
Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs, and
his staff.
States Representatives
[DRAFT LETTER TO THE 50 GOVERNORS]
On behalf Dear Governor of the President,
We are
I am am pleased to present you with the 1984 Report on
guide to
the FIFTY STATES PROJECT, a reference book on changes made
in state laws to eliminate sex discrimination. One of my President
earliest pledges as President was to establish liaison
Reagans
with the fifty Governors to assist them in identifying and
changing state laws that provide unequal treatment between
the sexes.
This Report supplements the 1982 Year-End Report
which provided a state-by-state summary of activities then
in progress. This year's report presents the results of a
over The past
systematic survey of changes made in state law. It fifteen years
reflects the variety of legislative devices used by the
states to achieve their unique objectives.
This Report confirms once again the wisdom of our
Founding Fathers in establishing a federal system, whereby
the sovereign states are free to act as laboratories to
identify their particular needs and to experiment with and
develop individual solutions.
(NEXT PAGE)
DRAFT
(LETTER CONTINUED)
We
[OPTIONAL SENTENCE, DEPENDING UPON STATE -- 2
would
our
cooperation in
like to express my appreciation for your support of this
effort. [STATE] has taken many significant actions to
We
eliminate sex discrimination under state law. ]
hope
that the FIFTY STATES PROJECT may be of continuing
assistance to you.
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
Trudi Michelle Marrian
Faith Whittlesey
Lee Verstandig
DRAFT
HISTORY
Within weeks after taking office, President Reagan established
the "Fifty States Project" to serve as an informationA
clearinghouse and to provide technical assistance to the states
in reviewing their legal codes for sex discrimination. As The the
with regard To
wrote
President explained in a letter to the fifty Governors inviting
participation in this Project
BLOCK QUOTE
By the Fall, 1981, every Governor had appointed a representative
This
This
to serve as state liaison with the Project. The entire group was
participated in
October 7, 1981
reaffirmed invited to a White House meeting This at which the President Reagan
emphasized his support for the Project, saying that: "It's my
hope that through the Fifty States Project we can alter or
eliminate those State laws that continue to deny equality to
women
(B) inviting you here today, I want to reaffirm my
commitment to the equality of all of our citizens and my
commitment to this project."
2
that
the
At the initial White House meeting, Project Director Judy Peachee
explained the goals of the Project to the Governors'
solicited
representatives and sought their advice on how the White House
could be of most assistance to the states. She emphasized that
the Administration would not urge any particular course of
action. Rather, the White House wished to facilitate
communications among the states and to provide support services so
that the states could achieve their individual objectives in
eliminating unfair sex discrimination.
is
To that end, the 1982 Year-End Report reflected activity in every
identified
which were
state and noted areas of the law undergoing the most rapid
change.
The Project staff employed a wide range of techniques for
establishing and maintaining formal and informal contact with
those working on this effort in the states. Recognizing that the
success of the Project depended upon the voluntary cooperation of
each state, the Directors endeavored to provide individual
assistance to the states. in the form which would be most useful.
3
Among the functions carried out by the Project were:
Extended
- Offer research and other technical assistance in
identifying gender-specific statutes.
- Serve⁺ as a clearinghouse of information on the activities
ed
of the various states, as well as report to the state
representatives on relevant Federal action.
peeped to create and stimulate
- Create a dialogue with national and local, public and
private sector individuals and groups with an interest in the
Fifty States Project. eliminating sex discrimination
-4-
DRAFT
As a result of these efforts, the Project staff
developed a resource bank of information about actions
taken over the past fifteen years which may might be drawn upon
by the states and the general public.
while
It was not the goal of the Project to pass judgment
upon the wisdom of any state actions, or to evaluate the
progress of state governments in eradicating invidious sex
clearly,
discrimination, Emphasis was placed on developing an a
accurate, up-to-date file on each state as it has reported
new activity. in The completeness of each file will, to a
did
large extent, depend upon the degree of state activity and
the amount of relevant information reported to the Project
staff by the state.
DRAFT
OVERVIEW
the fulfillment of
The FIFTY STATES PROJECT represents a commitment of oy the Reagan
enable
to become
Administration to make the Federal Government/a constructive
partner with the several states Tto obtain equal rights for women.
in order to incourage
In recent years, virtually all of the states have carried out
substantial revisions of their state codes to eliminate improper
However there has not been
discrimination. This has been achieved without any institutional
by which
could this useful
means for the states to share Tinformation about their individual
efforts.
Through the FIFTY STATES PROJECT, the Federal Government has
established a formal liaison system between the national and
state governments, and among the states, to facilitate and maintain
communications so that the states can learn from each other how
best to promote equal treatment under the law for men and women.
philosophy
The notion of Federalism is central to the American political
N
culture. The national Government was established to discharge
certain powers enumerated in the Constitution, while the states
retained critical aspects of sovereignty. Diversity among the
states has been a hallmark of our democracy. Although state laws
must conform to the Constitution of the United States, Governors
and state legislatures do not report to the Federal government,
nor do they need approval before moving ahead with creative new
solutions to problems within the purview of state and local
governments.
2
In recent years, our society has become increasingly aware of the
many gender-based distinctions contained in state law. S State
statutes sometimes have embodied archaic discriminatory notions.
Great national debate has ensued over the need to change many of
these laws. It has been a healthy debate, and one which is
expected to continue. Americans agree that no man or woman
because
that
should be discriminated against on account of gender, but?there
is a wide variety of opinion about what precisely constitutes
improper distinctions made between sexes.
Over the past two decades, state Governments -- on their own
initiative -- have taken major steps to ferret out and correct
gender-based distinctions in their state codes. This has been
accomplished, to a large degree, free from Federal interference.
Different states identified different kinds of statutes in need
of reform. Many laws that had been on the books for scores of
years were amended, and a variety of new statutes were enacted.
The states have truly functioned as social laboratories
experimenting with solutions to pressing social needs.
The FIFTY STATES PROJECT is one of the first systematic attempts
to encourage state officials to review their laws and
regulations, to identify those which need to be changed in order
to eliminate sex discrimination, and to take the action most
suitable to correct a particular problem in that particular
state.
3
Since no two state codes are exactly alike, different states have
amended different areas of the law. Some states may have found
no need to tamper with their domestic relations law. Instead,
the focus of activity may have been on passing tougher laws
another
against rape. Conversely, a sister state may be satisfied with
its sexual abuse laws, and instead have combatted sex
to
discrimination by amending their domestic relations law.
Each state Report consists of three sections. First, there is
discussion as to whether statutes and regulations have been
revised to ensure gender neutrality. The second section
summarizes the substantive changes in state laws that purported
a great
to treat men and women differently. While obviously an infinite
number of issues could be discussed, the REPORT sought as best as
possible to concentrate on the major changes. In the third
section, the availability of machinery in the state to monitor
developments and propose ideas for future reforms is discussed.
This REPORT contains no definition of a "woman's E issue." In the
broadest sense, all issues are women's issues, ranging from a
healthy national economy to anti-pornography laws. And all
issues are men's issues, ranging from weighty matters of war and
peace to the thorny problems associated with awarding child
custody. The concern here is with those state laws and
regulations which treat persons similarly situated differently on
account of gender.
4
It is not the intent of the authors of the REPORT that the
P
has been
Administration take credit for all of the progress Amade toward
achieving equal treatment for the sexes over the past several
years. Many states began taking corrective action in the 1970's.
Credit for these changes is thus difficult to assign in any case.
T
However, to the extent that the added attention generated by the
PROJECT has contributed to implementation of reforms being
pursued by each of the states, all who have been a part of the
PROJECT can take satisfaction. Comments from many state
officials involved in the PROJECT indicate this has already
happened.
Furthermore, the publication and distribution of this REPORT
should accelerate the pace of these reforms over the next several
years as states take note of the many different strategies
available to them.
Finally, this REPORT is a compilation of the major changes in
state law and regulations that treat men and women differently.
It does not constitute an endorsement of any or all of the.
changes that are catalogued herein. It is provided as a resource
tool for the individual states as they continue to examine their
laws in light of the changing roles of men and women in our
society. The goal is to promote the cause of sexual equality
through the two century old American tradition of Federalism.
5
Although the authors of this REPORT make no claim that it is an
exhaustive compendium of relevant state enactments, the REPORT
does represent a substantial resource document that will be of
value to researchers, legislators, and those interested in
obtaining an overview of recent state action S to eliminate sex
discrimination. To a large extent, the completeness of the
REPORT is dependent upon the amount of information made available
by the fifty state representatives who served as liaison between
their Governors and the Federal Government.
will
The FIFTY STATES PROJECT staff stands ready to continue to
provide information and technical help through the on-going
system of consultation with representatives appointed by the
Governors of each state. The staff appreciates the efforts of
the many state officials and private citizens throughout the
country who cooperated in this PROJECT. Their continued advice
on how the Administration may be of maximum assistance is always
welcome. T he administration looks forward
to assisting To further insure elimination
of discrimination,
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 7, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR FRANK DONATELLI
FROM:
LEE L. VERSTANDIG her
SUBJECT:
50 States Project
As I had promised Faith in January and reported to you in a
memorandum on April 9, IGA has provided staff assistance to the
50 States Project as follows:
O
Verified the coordinators of this project in approximately
half of the 50 States. This was done either by direct
contact with the Governor or his Chief of Staff to insure
that we had the name of the appropriate person in each
state.
0
Identified state legislators and staffers willing to assist
in this project especially where there might have been a
Governor reluctant to cooperate on the completion of the
project. My staff contacted legislators in some 35 states
to get status information and enlist assistance. Materials
have already been received by IGA from state legislators
from Wisconsin, Vermont, Georgia and Delaware. Commitments
have been made by legislators from Alaska, Rhode Island and
Virginia. Offers to assist were made by legislators from
Arizona, Nevada, Florida, New Jersey.
When key intergovernmental groups were in D.C. in recent
months, I stressed at every opportunity the importance of
the project and urged participation in the project.
Since January, in individual meeting with Governors I
personally received 50 States Status accomplishment reports
or commitments to do special reports or provide
documentation from Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Hampshire
Delaware, Louisiana, Oregon, Missouri, Indiana, New Jersey,
North Dakota.
My staff has recommended action or follow-up needed in 35
states. My memorandum to Trudi Morrison of April 5 set
forth those recommended actions or follow-up. Before IGA can
assist further, this follow-up must be completed.
On April 30, you asked that IGA provide a status report on State
responses to the questionaire due back on May 1. Upon learning
that there was a substantial backlog of those materials not yet
opened, I advised my staff to refrain from making those calls
until we had determined which states had responded and whether
the requested materials were in fact adequate.
Thus, we are presently awaiting (1) a response on the follow-up
and actions of those states listed in my April 5th memorandum;
(2) a report on those states which have complied with the May 1
deadline to submit questionaires and whether or not that
information is complete. Below are the states which have
provided or promised to provide a report on their respective
participation in the 50 States project:
Connecticut
New Hampshire
Delaware
New Jersey
Illinois
Oregon
Iowa
Pennsylvania
Louisiana
Fecommendations:
At this stage it would be my recommendation that there needs to
be:
(1) a thorough review of the completed project materials
which have been received from the states and;
(2) an evaluation of each State questionaire by a project
officer with legal expertise and background in the
relevant issues. This would determine what remains to
be required from specific states. We may need to urge
those states which have provided complete materials to
pull those materials together in the form of a 50
States Project report as several other states have
done.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 10, 1984
je 2/10 switch W
MEMORANDUM FOR JAMES A. BAKER, III
FROM:
JAMES W. CICCONI
Nn
SUBJECT:
50 States Project
Per your request, the following is a brief overview
Project, along with recommendations:
Purpose
The 50 States Project was publicized as the Administration's
alternative to ERA. The President committed, via this project,
to bring about the identification and removal of laws and
regulations which are discriminatory, or which use gender-based
terminology.
Immediate Objective
In the short run, the Project must be able to demonstrate an
impact on state laws and regulations. The President must be
able to cite examples of states which have accomplishments under
the Project.
This immediate objective can be met by focusing efforts on obtain-
ing reports from each participating state. These reports would
list their progress in meeting the goals of the Project via
changes in their state's laws and regulations. This can, for the
most part, be done from the White House with a minimum of travel.
White House meetings should be scheduled to exchange information
and generally encourage provision of the reports. Events could
also be scheduled to highlight progress. For example, a photo op
could be held in which the President is given copies of 50 States
Project reports by a group of state directors.
Management and Coordination
Currently the Project is directed by Trudi Morrison, and is within
the Office of Public Liaison. This is an unnatural arrangement,
which is largely a result of Judy Peachee's departure and Rich
Williamson's subsequent decision to move the Project out of IGA.
The Project's function is closely related to the normal business
of IGA, and could be reincorporated into that office with little
difficulty. This would also be the most efficient set-up from a
management standpoint, since the immediate objective will be
achieved only through state governmental contacts--the main
business of IGA.
If it is decided that the Project should remain within OPL, its
director will have to work in close conjunction with Lee Verstandig's
office and would, in fact, have to coordinate most contacts and
activities through IGA. This can be done, and is being done now
with Faith and Lee consulting more closely as a result of past
difficulties. However, such an arrangement will blur management
responsibility to a degree, and will involve a duplication of effort.
Travel Needs
If the above objectives are adopted for the Project, travel needs
will be minimal. The Phase I and II trips proposed in Faith's memo
will, for example, be largely unnecessary.
The director should travel to individual states only when it is
necessary to further the objective of obtaining that state's
accomplishment report, and when it is impossible to do so from
Washington or via a White House meeting. If travel to individual
states is necessary, it should be consolidated into regional trips
where possible, and should be "advanced" by IGA through contacts
with appropriate state officials. There is no valid objective
served by the director visiting all 50 states. Thus, it should
again be emphasized that any travel needs would be minimal under
this approach.
I would suggest that John Rogers review the immediate objectives of
the Project as set forth here, and budget an appropriate sum for
travel needs through the remainder of the fiscal year. The director
should then determine travel priorities as they arise in consulta-
tion with Faith and Lee. Since travel would be on an "as needed"
basis per the above criteria, there should be no need for a travel
plan as such.
CC: John F. W. Rogers
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 1, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR JAMES A. BAKER, III
MICHAEL DEAVER
FROM:
FAITH RYAN WHITTLESEY
7RW
SUBJECT: 50 State Project Travel Request
In order to complete the 50 States Project, an expanded travel
budget for OPL is necessary. The following is a proposal
involving two phases of travel.
PHASE I includes a travel budget for visits to states
designated as "priority" states by Lee Verstandig and me.
This assessment is based on interest in the project found in
previous trips and level of support to continue the work. Our
goal would be to permit Trudi Morrison our Project Director to
visit these "13" priority states as soon as possible.
PHASE II of the project would involve additional travel funds
to allow visits to the remaining states not yet visited by
Trudi.
The optimum result is to allow the Project Director, Trudi
Morrison, to visit all 50 states by June 1, 1984.
I urgently request approval of Phase I as soon as possible so
that travel arrangments and plans with local supporters can be
made. I also urge approval at a later date of Phase II.
However, we can reevaluate the Phase II plans as Phase I is
underway.
Trudi Morrison has already visited 20 states on an exploratory
basis.
PHASE I
Approval of additional travel funds for Phase I
Disapproval of additional travel funds for Phase I
PHASE II
Approval of additional travel funds for Phase II
Disapproval of additional travel funds for Phase II
No Action on Phase II until Phase I completed
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
(B)
PHASE I
50 STATES PROJECT
TRAVEL BUDGET FOR
FEBRUARY 7, 1984 TO MARCH 31, 1984
Round trip Airfare
Per diem
Total
(including lodging)
Virginia $
Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
W. Virginia$ 351. Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s) $501.
Ohio $
Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
Michigan$ 326. Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s) $476.
Texas $
Airfare $ 150 Per diem for 2 day (s)
Louisiana$
Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
Oklahoma: $ 691. Airfare $ 150 Per diem for 2 day (s) $1066.
N. Dakota$
Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
S. Dakota $
Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
Colorado$ 1272. Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s)$1497.
Washington$
Airfare $ 150 Per diem for 2 day (s)
Oregon$
Airfare $ 150 Per diem for 2 day (s)
California$ 640. Airfare $ 225 Per diem for 3 day (s)$1165.
($3280)
Subtotal $ 4705.
Misc. (Gasoline in states where car rented, public
transportation, tips, tolls, incidentals)
$ 500.
Grand total
$ 5205.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
(B)
PHASE I
50 STATES PROJECT TRAVEL SCHEDULE
for FEBRUARY 7, 1984 to MARCH 31, 1984
February
7-8
Virginia
8-9
West Virginia
13-14
Ohio
15-16
Michigan
20- 22
Texas
23- 24
Louisiana
27- 28
Oklahoma
March
5-6
North Dakota
6-7
South Dakota
8-9
Colorado
22-24
Washington
25-27
Oregon
28-31
California
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
(C)
PHASE II
50 STATES PROJECT
TRAVEL BUDGET FOR
APRIL 1, 1984 to MAY 27, 1984
Round trip Airfare
Per diem
Total
(including lodging)
Alabama$
Airfare $75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
Georgia$
Airfare $75. Per diem for I day (s)
Florida$ 595.
Airfare $ 150. Per diem for 2 day (s)$895.
Kentucky$ 198.
Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day s)$273.
Montana$
Airfare $75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
Idaho$
Airfare $75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
Nevada$ 1143.
Airfare $ 150. Per diem for 2 day (s) $1443.
Kansas$
Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
Nebraska$ 548.
Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day $698.
Maine$
Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
Massachusetts$
Airfare
$ 75. Per diem for 1
day (s)
Rhode Island$
Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
Connecticut$ 338. Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s) $638.
S. Carolina$
Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
N. Carolina$
Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
Mississippi$
Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s)
Arkansas$ 782. Airfare $ 75. Per diem for 1 day (s) $1082.
($3604.)
Subtotal 5029.
Misc. (Gasoline in states where car rented, public
transportation, tips, tolls incidentals)
$ 500.
Grand total $ 5529.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
(C)
PHASE II
50 STATES PROJECT TRAVEL SCHEDULE
for APRIL 1, 1984 to MAY 27, 1984
April
2-3
Alabama
3-4
Georgia
5- 6
Florida
9-10
Kentucky
16- 17
Montana
17- 18
Idaho
19-20
Nevada
24- 25
Kansas
26-27
Nebraska
May
7
Maine
8-9
Massachusetts
10
Rhode Island
11
Connecticut
21
South Carolina
22
North Carolina
23-24
Mississippi
24- 25
Arkansas
June
Unscheduled
Alaska
Unscheduled
Hawaii
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 1, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR MICHAEL K. DEAVER
FROM:
LEE L. VERSTANDIG her
SUBJECT:
FIFTY STATES PROJECT
Below are my proposals on how the Office of Intergovern-
mental Affairs should continue to assist on the Fifty States
Project.
1. Presently, we are confirming the project status,
evaluating receptiveness to the project and reassessing
potential for project results in each state. To date, I
have discussed this project with six Governors (Atiyeh,
Olson, Thompson, du Pont, Sununu, and Orr) and several state
legislators (Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida,
Arizona, Michigan, Alaska; and Missouri). My office will
continue to intensify these contacts and coordinate state
efforts. When the NCSL legislative leaders are in
Washington on February 8-10th, I plan to set up meetings
with those appropriate legislators. I will discuss this
project further with the Governors attending NGA on February
25-28th.
2. Based on the current information and analysis, the goal
of the Fifty States Project can best be achieved by two
methods: 1) visiting appropriate states, and 2) communicating
with appropriate state leadership in states where a visit is
not needed -- such as in Louisiana where achievements. will
be arranged by phone calls to Governor Treen. In our
opinion, success can best be achieved or demonstrated by
visits to 17 states in the coming months.
We recommend that these states be visited on a regional
basis by the following trips:
1. Delaware*, New Jersey*
2. California*, Oregon, Washington,
Colorado*, Utah*
3. Iowa*, North Dakota, South Dakota
4. Virginia, West Virginia
5. Illinois*, Missouri
6. Indiana*, Ohio, Michigan
* Re-visits.
Feb. 2
To-Junn
Fy,
hu
- 2 -
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs will identify a
person in advance of the Project Director visits to
bove states: In addition, we will coordinate meetings
the Governors' and legislative leaders' office.
Upon the Project Director's return from state visits,
the
IGA Office will debrief her and will follow-up with
appropriate state officials.
5. Several states, such as Iowa, are preparing a report on
their Fifty States Project accomplishments. We plan to
review such reports and consider them as models for
recognition of state accomplishments.
11
6. We hope to be able to assist in the compilation of an
overall report on the Fifty States Project.
Hold till
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Jan 16
January 6, 1984
Lee V. F FW do
MEMORANDUM FOR JAMES A. BAKER, III
FROM:
FAITH RYAN WHITTLESEY 720
reach agreemt.
SUBJECT: 50 States Project
se
1/9
The immediate decisions which must be made with respect to the 50
States Project are:
1.
The acceptance of a travel plan for the year. Continuing
visits to the states are recommended in lieu of telephone and
mail contacts, which were used prior to the summer of 1983.
2.
If travel, as opposed to mail and telephone contacts, is
approved, a budget must be established for traveling. The
states having top priority in the travel plan must be
determined.
Authorized OPL travel funds are not adequate for an extensive
1984 50 States travel schedule. Because the 50 States Project
is an effort to generate support for changes at the state and
local levels, I recommend that the Project Director visit
every state as soon as possible so that the President's
committment (which was made in his convention acceptance
speech and subsequently at a Rose Garden ceremony in Oct. of
1981) be fulfilled.
The list of the 20 states to which the Project Director has
traveled since the summer of 1983 are as follows:
Arizona
Maryland
Pennsylvania
Colorado
Minnesota
Tennessee
Delaware
Missouri
Utah
Illinois
New Hampshire
Vermont
Indiana
New Jersey
Wisconsin
Iowa
New Mexico
Wyoming
Louisiana
New York
The states which have made requests for the Project Director to
visit during the first quarter of 1984 are as follows:
California
Hawaii
Nevada
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Dakota
Texas
Washington
The states which have been contacted and have indicated some
interest in the project and would welcome a visit by the Project
Director if such a visit were initiated by the White House are as
follows:
Alaska
Maine
West Virginia
Arkansas
Michigan
Connecticut
Montana
Idaho
Nebraska
Kansas
Ohio
Nebraska
Virginia
The state governments which have demonstrated a hostile reaction to
the project and have specified a lack of interest in having the
Project Director visit are as follows:
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Rhode Island
Kentucky
Massachusets
Mississippi
North Carolina
South Carolina
When the Project Director visits the states, she meets with both
private and public sector representatives such as various women's
organizations, including Chamber of Commerce women, University
women, business women, industry representatives, Commissions
appointed by the Governors on the Status of women, Governors, State
legislators, Attorneys General, women's advocates, insurance
commissioners, and numerous community constituents groups. While
in a state, the Project Director also appears on radio talk shows,
accepts radio call-ins, gives television interviews, conducts press
conferences, speaks to local editorial boards, and gives speeches
to interested groups of all kinds.
The Project Director in all of these contacts speakes generally
about the Reagan record, emphasizing the President's record on
women's issues. Some of the press reports are attached.
-
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
1/24/84
Jain Cicconi -
Here is my memo to
Faite outling our role,
an is tan u + suggestions
on 50 State Projects.
Faite will probably
not like the idea 8 not
doing all JO states, but
I behive these
recommendations can do
the job + satisfactory
Let we how of you reld
more.
bee
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 23, 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR FAITH WHITTLESEY
FROM:
LEE L. VERSTANDIG
her
SUBJECT:
FIFTY STATES PROJECT
As you know, I am most eager to assist your office on the 50
States Project given its importance to the President. Since
our meeting, my staff has had several working meetings with
Trudi Morrison. After reviewing their work, I would suggest
the following:
- The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs will assist in
determining the status, receptiveness, and potential for
the Project in each state. Based on that analysis, we
will help establish the scorecard of accomplishments.
This should be completed June 1, 1984 - after most
legislative sessions are adjourned.
- Based on our analysis of the information provided by
Trudi, the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
recommends the attached list of states to be visited,
keeping in mind the best utilization of travel time and
funds. The attached travel proposal may need to be
updated as more specific information is gained through
our intergovernmental contacts. This plan takes into
account states on a regional basis allowing emphasis on
states that are exemplary.
- In an effort to assist the Project Director, the Office
of Intergovernmental Affairs will initiate contacts to
elected officials, particularly Governors and State
Legislators for commitments, assistance, and arrange-
ments prior to visits. While at the same time, my
office will assist in working with elected officials in
those states to achieve project results and thus some
state visits may not be necessary. Additionally my
office will assist in monitoring state by state progress
and make recommendations for additional Administration
opportunities.
I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue to work
together.
50 STATES PROJECT
RECOMMENDED FORTHCOMING STATE VISITS
TO BE MADE BY TRUDI MORRISON
These visits will supplement those already made to twenty
states. They are listed below according to priority and
feasible regional travel.
1. Louisiana (before March), Texas, Oklahoma
2. *Delaware, *New Jersey
3. *California, *Oregon, *Washington, Colorado, *Utah
4. *Iowa (after 2/27), North Dakota, South Dakota
5. Virginia, West Virginia
6. *Illinois (after 3/20), *Missouri
7. Indiana, Ohio, Michigan
* indicates potential exemplary state
NOTE: This list of recommended visits may be changed
depending on results of contacts by the
Intergovernmental Affairs Office.
50 STATES PROJECT
PLAN OF ACTION
AS OF JANUARY 1984
BEMARKS:
RECOMMENDATION
BY
5
TRUDI MICHELLE MORRISON
CRITERIA:
1
of
ID of
ID of
Proposed
6
7
#
Support Project
ID
Terminology Preference Impact
Legislation
Bills passed
Continuity,
Public/Private
Goals
Monitoring,
Cooperation
Comprehensiveness
Letter
full achievement of criterion
Designations
D + - full failure of criterion achievement
? Unknown
Should not visit
ALABAMA
?
(Mas not participated)
Should not visit
ALASKA ?
(Sas not participated)
D
D
Recognizes it need help
Should not visit
ARKANSAS
A
A
C
C
?
A
C
C
C
Governor established Ad Noc
Good Model state: Should
ARISOMA
,
B
A
A
C
Task Force of volunteers to
not revisit
A
review legislation
B
D
B
A
A
A
3
Bas requested assistance
Exemplary state: must visit
CALIFORNIA
A
Governor contacted Project
Should visit
COLORADO
B
(Sas not participated)
Director (1/84) directly and
expressed interest in
participating, has requested
assistance from Project Director
B
C
C
should not visit
COMMECTICUT
?
A
A
A
A
DELAWARE
A
A
A
B
C
A
A
Governor extremely supportive
Exemplary state: should revisit
A
Has requested that we do not
Should not visit
FLORIDA
D
(Has not participated)
visit them
State needs strong Lobbying
should not visit
GEORGIA
A
A
D
D
D
D
D
D
to finish job
HAWAII
?
A
A
A
,
À
D
C
Requested assistance
Should visit
from Project Director
IDAMO
2
?
(Has not participated)
o
ILLINOIS
A
A
A
A
B
B
A
A
Governor formed the "Gannon-
Exemplary state; Has state
Proctor Commission panel
ERA; Should revisit
to study and eliminate sex
discrimination; State offered to
host Human Righta/50 States
Conference
INDIANA
/
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
Governor and staff expressed no
has state ERA: should not
interest or support for project
revisit
IOWA
A
A
A
A
C
C
A
A
Governor Report based on 50
Exemplary stata; should revisit 0)
KANSAS
?
States Commission findings
receive info thru mail/phone
(Has not participated)
Would welcome White House
Consider visit
visit; needs balp
1
KENTUCKY
?
A
?
?
A
D
?
?
Roatile state
Should not visit
LOUISIANA
A
A
A
A
D
D
B
B
Mas requested assistance to
Re-visit conditional
establish review commission
MAINE
?
before March 1984
A
A
A
B
B
B
A
State Human Rights Act applies
No need to visit
MARYLAND
to private and public sector
D
A
À
A
C
B
A
A
Extremely hostile state
Has state ERA; should not
revisit
D
MASSACHUSETTS
?
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
Should not visit
D
MICHIGAN
?
A
A
A
A
B
B
?
"hould visit
I
MINNESOTA
B
A
À
A
C
B
A
A
Good model state: should
consider revisit
D
*ISSISSIPPI
?
(Mas not participated)
should not visit
R
MISSOURI
1.
A
A
:
a
IS
À
A
Governor very supportive
Exemplary state,
revisit
MONTANA
/
?
A
A
A
D
D
D
D
Should not visit
1
NEBRASKA
?
A
A
A
C
C
B
?
Should not visit
D
NEVADA
?
A
D
D
C
C
D
D
would valcome White House
Consider visit
initiated visit
e
NEW HAMPSHIRE C
A
À
A
D
D
D
D
Governor has yet to appoint
Has state ERA' should not
a new project representative
revisit
NEW JERSEY
?
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
Feb. 1982 Public Bearing on Sex
Exemplary state: did not
Discrimination: March 1983 Report meet Gov.: should revisit
I NEW MEXICO
on Mage Discrimination
B
A
A
A
c
C
À
C
Good model state: Has state
ERA: should consider revisit
D
NEW
YORK
/
D
A
A
A
B
C
C
C
Should not revisit
D
NORTH CAROLINA?
A
D
D
B
D
7
7
Consider visit
/
R
NORTH DAKOTA A
A
D
D
A
?
D
?
Has requested assistance
Should visit
D
OHIO
?
A
A
A
B
B
A
A
Should visit
OKLAHOMA
?
A
D
C
C
B
V
D
B
Has requested assistance
Should visit
from Project Director
OREGON
?
A
A
A
B
B
C
B
Mas requested assistance
from Project Director
Should visit
PENNSYLVANIA
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
Project goals accomplished
Good model state:
R
prior to 1980
"Double ERA state:
should consider revisit
D
RHODE ISLAND A
A
D
D
B
C
B
B
State needs encouragement
Should not visit
Should visit
D
SOUTH CAROLINA?
A
A
A
A
D
D
D
2
Wants to get involved; needs
Should visit
SOUTH DAKOTA ?
(Has not participated)
help
R
TENNESSEE
D
B
B
B
D
D
D
D
Governor has priorities which
Should not revisit
do not include project; not
ammortive
D
D
D
Has requested assistance; needs
Should visit
D
TEXAS
?
A
A
A
D
help
Governor established seven-member Good model state: has
D
UTAH
2
A
A
C
C
A
B
B
B
panel to pursue project goals and state ERA; should
objectives: Governor considering consider revisit
forming 50 States Commission:
will request assistant of
Project Director
e
VERMONT
Y
D
B
B
D
D
D
B
D
Hostile State: Project
Should not revisit
represenntative is leading ERA
proponent and Governor supports
bar
D
VIRGINIA
7
A
D
D
D
D
D
D
Has requested assistance
Should visit
from Project Director
WASHINGTON
?
A
A
A
C
C
B
?
Has requested assistance
should visit
from Project Director
a
WEST VIRGINIA ?
À
D
D
D
D
D
D
Recognises it needs help
Should visit
to finish job
D
WISCONSIN
D
B
C
C
B
D
D
C
Governor's representative does
not feel project has been of
Should not revisit
D
WYOMING
1,2
A
A
B
B
B
assistance to the state
B
A
A
Governor discussed project in
1983 message;
Good model: state ERA,
Governor has requested Project
should revisit
Director to return during
February, 1984 when the legislature
15 in session