PROGRAM ON TAX REFORM 107

by prospects of an increased Federal tax and a new county tax and a
new real estate tax, the additional state tax burden will put me out
of business. " Again, I want to emphasize that the $95 million is not
new taxation. It is money sent back to allow your local government
to meet its needs in education and police protection without raising
your property taxes. I can't make it any more simple than that. Cer-
tainly the people at the local governmental level are not willing to con-
tinue to pay 90 percent of the cost of their government out of the tax
that's aimed at one category of citizens, those that own their homes.
Of course those who rent are affected too, because if I'm a landlord
I'm not going to let increased costs of operation, of which taxes be-
come a major factor, hold my margin of profit down. I'm going to
increase my rent. So property taxes hurt us all.

Let's take one more letter: "Why have business and industry not
been asked to support the programs?" This is not at all accurate. Busi-
ness and industry do support the programs. Business and industry in
Baltimore City are supporting the programs: the Baltimore Chamber
of Commerce for one, the Greater Baltimore Committee for another.

Now, one final question: Do we have to do anything at all about
taxes? Yes, we do. Because while I talk about bringing relief for the
property owner, the real story is that property taxes are becoming so
high as to become actually prohibitive in a very short time. Without
tax reform the State of Maryland tells the local subdivisions to sink or
swim by their own devices. With tax reform the State recognizes its
responsibilities in education and police protection and provides the
subdivisions with grants in these areas to relieve their financial burden
and to improve the lot of all citizens. Without tax reform we continue
an outmoded and callous system of taxation. With tax reform we
set up a very firm, very sound, and very equitable system that can al-
low us to go forward in many areas with the knowledge that we all
have a fair share and a fair responsibility in the future. Thank you
for listening and good night.

Mr. Turner. And that's the 120 million dollar question as presented
by the Honorable Spiro T. Agnew, Governor of the State of Maryland.
It is probably a tribute to the Governor that a second television pro-
gram scheduled on WJZ-TV tomorrow night presenting the opponents
of rival tax plans has been canceled at their request. With the General
Assembly's modification of the Hughes-Agnew plan along the lines ac-
ceptable to the Governor, effective opposition appears to have faded
away. The 120 million dollar question now rests with your elected
representatives. This is Jerry Turner. Thank you and good evening.