FILES AS GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY, 1973-1982

Summary: Documentation of Byrne's two terms as governor of New Jersey, constituted largely of intra and interoffice memoranda. The subjects of the documents include, but are not limited to, the proposed income tax, legislative and general election results, the Hackensack Meadowlands, the Governor's transition to office, the Governor's finances, overseas travel on New Jersey's behalf and various White House events. Included among the memoranda are press releases, police reports, financial disclosures, incoming letters, poll results, legislation, White House event programs, a briefing book for a New Jersey Investment Mission to Italy and France, and the official published accompaniment for the Governor's Annual Message to the Legislature for 1980-1982.

The four Correspondence folders contain single letters received from, among others, Harold J. Becker (1981: hate mail), William T. Cahill (1978: resignation from the Committee on Professional Health Services), Jimmy Carter (1977: launch of the Help through Industrial Retraining and Employment program), Special Counsel Alan B. Handler (1977: transition letter), Robert S. Harrison (1974: includes a check made out to Byrne for President), Special Assistant Jeffrey C. Ketterson (1974), Treasurer Richard C. Leone (1980: withdrawal from consideration for Executive Director of the Port Authority), Peter E. Levine (1981), Public Utility Commissioner Richard B. McGlynn (1977), Sports & Exposition Authority Director Robert E. Mulcahy III (1980), PA Governor Milton J. Shapp (1974), Jack H. Watson, Jr. (1977) and the White House Social Secretary (1979). Secretary of State J. Edward Crabiel is represented by two letters (1974: referring to oaths of office not included in the collection). One additional undated letter on yellow legal sized paper is simply signed Jim.

Additional correspondence, from late 1973 and early 1974, filed in the Transition to Office folders includes letters to and from, among others, Archibald S. Alexander (4 letters), Princeton University President William G. Bowen, Richard J. Hughes (3 letters), Charles W. Sandman and State Assemblyman S. Howard Woodson (2 letters). The correspondence, which occasionally includes Byrne's responses, covers topics such as recommendations/requests for office, legislative relations (letters of S. Howard Woodson) and proposed political agendas such as the public financing of elections (letter of Archibald S. Alexander).

Documentation of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, addressed mostly to Executive Director Robert E. Mulcahy III, pertains to financial matters of the Sports Authority, as well as several legal matters, including the ability to purchase a sports franchise and efforts to obtain a National Hockey League franchise.