 During the 1974 legislative session , Ford proposed a six @-@ year study of coal liquefaction and gasification in response to the 1973 oil crisis . He also increased funding to human resources and continued his reorganization of the executive branch , creating cabinets for transportation , development , education and the arts , human resources , consumer protection and regulation , safety and justice . He was considered less ruthless than previous governors in firing state officials hired by the previous administration , and expanded the state merit system to cover some previously exempt state workers . Despite the expansion , he was criticized for the replacements he made , particularly that of the state personnel commissioner appointed during the Nunn administration . Critics also cited the fact that employees found qualified by the merit examination were still required to obtain political clearance before they were hired . 
