In cities, Progressives worked to change the structure of government in order to cut down the power of political bosses , improve public transportation and institute public control of natural things such as water works and gas. Also, with the raise in property taxes they were able to invest more in parks, schools and other public facilities. Urban Progressives took their campaign to the state level because state legislatures determined the powers of city government. In 1896, Hazen Pingree became governor of Michigan, he battled against railroads and other corporate interests. In 1910, Hiram Johnson was elected governor of California, as a public prosecutor, he secured the sentence for bribery of Abraham Ruef, a San Francisco political boss.
