if we embark upon the expanded school aid program and at the
same time continue our other State services at current standards.
The imposition of anything less than the 1 per cent increase in the
income tax at this session will mean that when you come back here
next year in all probability you will have to impose an additional
tax, and, not only that, make it retroactive to January 1, 1965.

I am well aware that by law we budget only for the year ahead.
But that does not mean that we should close our eyes to the financial
demands and the financial problems of the years thereafter. To do
so, in fact, would brand us with the mark of short-sightedness and
irresponsibility. We must look ahead. We must plan for the future.
It might be well for us to remember the Legislature of 1958 which
revised the tax structure of the State in such a way as to meet the
revenue requirements of a six year period in which the State govern-
ment underwent its greatest expansion of all times. These lawmakers
were thinking primarily of fiscal 1959, of course. But they were acting
for the years beyond that. I think we should display the same fore-
sightedness when we consider our fiscal problems at this session. So
much for this part of the fiscal program. Let us turn now to a more
detailed examination of the plans for the support of departments,
agencies and institutions in fiscal 1965.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

Reference has been made earlier in this message to our plan for
the support of public education. I mentioned that more than half
of the entire general fund budget increase is being allotted to edu-
cation. The highlight of our public school assistance program of course
is the plan I have just cited for increased State aid to the subdivisions.
Among other things, this will place Maryland in an even more
favorable position among the states in the salaries paid to school
teachers.

Exclusive of the proposed new program of State aid, I am asking
for a total appropriation of $174, 081, 446 for public education in
Maryland. This is an increase of $13, 552, 114 over the amount that
was allowed for the current year. If you enact the new plan, the
total figure will be $190, 281, 441 and the increase over the current
year, $29, 752, 114. In these times, certainly no argument is needed
to justify these expenditures for public education. Never before in
history has education played so important a part, not only in the
lives of individuals, but in society as a whole. The effort we make

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