138 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

the State to talk to local governments should prove most beneficial to
them and to us. I was very pleased with our recent visits to Cecil
County and to Harford County. The fact that not only the local execu-
tives and the commissioners were there, but that many of the legis-
lators were there, seemed to evidence a great deal of interest in this
executive-to-executive cooperation. So I think that as long as we con-
tinue to show we want to be cooperative in helping local government
streamline its operation, and we keep them fully informed of what
we're doing so they can do the same, there's a good chance that some

of the good that our task force accomplishes will he reflected at what

happens at the local level.

Q. Governor, the indication is that the task force study streamlining
State government will result in a drop in personnel.

A. I would be surprised if there were not somewhat of a drop in per-
sonnel as a result of this study that's going to be made, an overall drop
I'm talking about. There may be certain agencies where there may have
to be an increase in personnel, and other agencies may be eliminated
entirely. I don't want to say definitely what we're going to find be-
cause, frankly, I don't know. I do know there hasn't been a study made
like this for a long time. And looking at the experience in business
and industry, I do know that when this type of study is made, some
rather startling information usually develops.

Q. In one of your conferences, Governor, you indicated that there
has to be a change in the formula of the distribution of the gasoline
tax. Do you plan a special study commission on this?

A. Not a special study commission. The Legislature has just ap-
pointed a joint committee to which I am going to add several mem-
bers at their request to continue the study of business taxation. And
it's the feeling of the Legislature, that while this study on business
taxation is completed, a concurrent study could be made by the same
group on motor vehicle revenues, and this would not be restricted
to the gasoline tax but would cover all types of motor vehicle revenues.

Q. Governor, in the area of the Task Force on Modern Management
study, do you expect that its recommendations will actually result in
elimination or firing people from a job?

A. Well, I would think that it would be a very unusual situation
that we actually fire somebody from a job, but I do think that we may
very well stop hiring in certain areas and we may transfer some people
to other areas of greater usefulness.