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STATEMENT ON ENACTMENT OF TAX PROGRAM

March 24, 1967

The Maryland Legislature's enactment of the tax reform program,
by substantial margins in both houses, was in the finest tradition of
fiscal responsibility and statesmanship. An overwhelming number of
the people's representatives have shown that they clearly recognize
the need for this long overdue revision of our tax structure, even
though it may not have been politically expedient for them to favor it.
I commend them for their courage to meet the State's problems forth-
rightly, and T am firmly convinced that the logic of their position will
be justified in the days ahead.

The enactment of this program, by a margin of 109-17 in its final
House vote after clearing the Senate 35-8, will move Maryland toward
a sound, progressive tax structure in which income will be taxed with
respect to a person's ability to pay, and property owners will at last
obtain some, relief in meeting burdens of local government. At the
same time the State and local governments will obtain the increased
revenues they need to meet mounting problems.

The business tax structure, so urgently in need of revision, will be
studied between sessions of the Legislature and it is my hope that a
comprehensive reform in this field can be presented and acted on at
the next session with the same degree of bipartisan support.

My congratulations to the leadership of the House and the Senate,
and particularly to Chairmen Harry R. Hughes and William Houck
of the fiscal committees, for a job well done.

NEWS CONFERENCE
March 27, 1967

Gentlemen, I don't have any statement, I just want to hear your
questions and try to bring you to date.

Q. With the bridge bill passed to empower the State Roads Com-
mission to set orders of priority for construction of a Harbor crossing
or the Bay Bridge, which crossing would you personally prefer to
see built first?