Agency Histories
Governor's Office of Planning and Budget
Prior Names
Abstract
Biography/History Notes
The 1963 State Legislature created the position of state planning coordinator to serve in the governor's office. The planning coordinator was to assist and advise the governor in matters concerning coordination of plans for public improvements and land use.
In 1979 the state budget office was created and was allowed to be combined with the office of state planning coordinator if needed. This occured in 2003 with the creation of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, combining planning, development, coordination on policy, and budget research in an advisory capacity to the governor's office. The name was changed to Governor's Office of Management and Budget in 2013, but was changed back in 2021.
Creation of the office was required to reduce costly conflicts between state, federal and local agencies and to facilitate leadership by the governor in development of state resources. The office expanded its research and planning goals over the years, including budgetary planning (1979) and managing operations (2013).
The initial state planning coordinator was appointed by the governor to serve at the governor's pleasure; Robert P. Heufner was the first appointee.