STATE OF THE STATE

AND
ABBREVIATED BUDGET MESSAGE

February 5, 1964

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the General
Assembly:

It is my privilege to come before you today, in the exercise of a
Constitutional and traditional responsibility, to report to you on the
affairs of the State government for the year just ended and to suggest
for your consideration plans for the year ahead. I am pleased to
extend to you a warm hand of welcome and friendship as you meet
here at the seat of our government to begin another session of the
General Assembly of Maryland.

The task we are called upon to perform during these next few weeks
is not to be an easy one. But experience has taught me that the task
will not be an unpleasant one if we assume the attitude of public
servants striving to do our utmost for the health, happiness, pros-
perity and freedom of the people we serve. And so, we may, I think,
view the challenges ahead of us for the next thirty days with pleasure
and with high expectations. We know the democratic processes well
enough to expect some controversy and some conflict in deliberating
the problems of our State. But our knowledge of these processes as-
sures us that out of the controversy and the conflict will come the
strength and the unity that are the blessings of a free people govern-
ing themselves. By the will of the people of Maryland, as expressed
through their Constitution and their laws, our main effort for the
next thirty days must be directed to the shaping of plans for the
financial management of the State government during the next fiscal
year. This involves the complicated problem of allocating funds for
operating the governmental agencies and institutions which have been
established to serve the needs of the people. It also involves the
difficult duty of assessing the people for the revenues that are required
to provide these services.

Each year at this time, it is my obligation under the Constitution
to give the lawmaking body a report on the conditions of our State.
It is also my duty, as the Chief Executive, to offer you a plan of
action designed to serve the best interests of the State and its people.
Generally speaking. Maryland now is enjoying a period of great
prosperity, bolstered by a strong and healthy economy which reflects

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