improvement of the judicial structure, was that it was the first in a
series of judicial reforms undertaken and achieved during the Tawes
Administration — reforms ranging from the reorganization of lower
courts in many of the counties to a restructuring of the appellate
court system.

Governor Tawes undertook the reorganization of many of the de-
partments of State government as a means of developing new or ex-
panded programs of governmental service. Notable among these was
the State Roads Commission, reconstituted in a manner to give rep-
resentation to all regions of the State and in general to streamline
the activities of this important agency. It was evident that the com-
pletion of the State's primary road network had bogged down in
obsolete laws and regulations, and the Governor and his new Com-
mission took steps to accelerate the planning and construction of new
highways, particularly those in the primary system.

As an Eastern Shoreman, Governor Tawes had an exceptionable
knowledge and understanding of Maryland's famed tidewater areas,
and one of the first of the reforms he initiated was in revamping the
Tidewater Fisheries Department (now the Department of Chesapeake
Bay Affairs). Maryland, once first among the states in the production
of oysters, had experienced a steady decline in oyster yield over many
years. New conservation practices were initiated., with the result the
steady downward trend was halted and eventually the State regained
its national leadership.

Other departments and agencies were reshaped and improved, in-
cluding the State Planning Department. The old Tax Commission,
with its dual administrative and quasi-judicial functions, was divided
into two parts — the Tax Court and the Department of Assessments
and Taxation. The governing bodies of the closely allied Depart-
ment of Health and Department of Mental Hygiene were consoli-
dated into a single board.

In addition to these changes in organization, the State government
broadened its field of endeavor to encompass some new functions and
new services, necessitating the establishment of new agencies.

For the first time in its history, the State assumed a responsibility
for strengthening the economy by stimulating the growth and devel-
opment of business and industry. With this as its main purpose,
the Department of Economic Development was established. The al-
ready established agency for the promotion of tourism was incorpo-
rated into the department.

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