As of now, roughly three-fourths of this mission has been per-
formed, and we are met here today to begin planning the fourth
and final stage of the undertaking. In these circumstances, our duty
is clear. We know that the success or failure of the charge given to
us by the people may well depend upon what we, as their agents
and servants, do within these halls during the next thirty days. During
this brief time, therefore, we must search for wise decision and
proper courses of action if we are to discharge the heavy respon-
sibilities laid up on our shoulders by the people who elected us.

I have asked you to assemble at this joint session today so that I
may lay before you for your appraisal some of the proposals I have
for the successful operation of the State government for another year.
It is clearly the intent of our constitution that these short sessions
of the general assembly be devoted primarily to consideration and
adoption of a budget. Our main effort for the next thirty days,
therefore, will be directed toward the formulation of a sound fiscal
policy and the adoption of a stable financial program under which
our state will carry on its functions for twelve months beginning
next July 1. But in this respect, the constitution is not all-restrictive,
and latitude is provided for the enactment of legislation deemed
necessary for the well-being of the people of the state as a whole.
Some legislation of that nature in my opinion is required at this
session.

My budget plan, together with the remainder of my legislative
program will be summarized for you later during the course of this
address. But first I should like to discuss with you certain factors
which may influence the decisions we make at this legislative session.

May I begin by reporting that from my own observation, and from
the reports I have received the general condition of our state is
healthy and strong. It has been particularly encouraging to observe
the vigorous comeback our state has made from the recession which
held it in throes through a part of last year. We began last year at
the very bottom of the recession, when, in February, employment
declined to a low point of 1, 016, 200 and unemployment jumped to
a peak of 94, 500, representing 8. 5 per cent of the labor force. The
strength and the speed of the recovery we made are sharply drawn
in the latest figures available—for last December—showing Maryland
employment at a new high of 1, 090, 000 and unemployment as having
dropped to 60, 100. In other words, in December 74, 000 more Mary-
landers had jobs and 34, 400 fewer were out of work than in the
preceding February.

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