SIGNING SENATE BILL 354 149

But the chief beneficiary of this bill in the long run will be the
property owner, who has carried a disproportionate share of the cost
of local government for many years. By allowing local governments to
tax income at up to 50 per cent of the State's rate, this legislation will
provide them with a second major revenue source to meet the mount-
ing costs of schools, police protection, parks and recreation, and other
services of government.

In fact, of the SI20 million additional revenue to be derived by the
State in the fiscal year starting July 1, almost $100 million will go im-
mediately back to local governments—mainly in direct grants for edu-
cation and police protection. This should provide immediate relief for
the homeowner who has seen his real estate tax bill rise steadily over
the years, or at least it should enable holding the present line on that
bill.

I take this occasion to again thank publicly the leaders of the Mary-
land Legislature and the members of both political parties, who turned
aside the temptation of political expediency and voted in overwhelm-
ing numbers to meet the State's problems forthrightly through enact-
ment of this bill.

All of us realize it is not the completion of tax reform. Our business
taxes remain a hodgepodge of inequities and our highway and motor
vehicle taxes need a careful reevaluation. This will be accomplished
in the months ahead by virtually the same bipartisan committee which
produced this bill. And if its work is received with anything approach-
ing the same degree of fiscal responsibility, we will be back here again
next year to mark another major step in Maryland's progress.

STATEMENT ON SIGNING SENATE BILL 354
(THE AIR QUALITY CONTROL ACT)

April 14, 1967

It gives me great pleasure to sign Maryland's Air Quality Control
Act, Senate Bill 354. In our time, air pollution has been a seriously
underrated threat to health and comfort. With this Act that will
change. Although it will take vigorous action, not merely a new law,
to clear the air over our cities, Senate Bill 354 gives us the legal basis
to commence effective action.