LINCOLN DAY DINNER 65

Number One:

Without tax reform, the State is in fact telling local governments
to sink or swim by their own devices.

With tax reform, the State will return sufficient revenues to local
governments to help them to meet the needs of their citizens.

Number Two:

Without tax reform, our counties will be forced to increase prop-
erty taxes to outrageous proportions. Remember, local govern-
ments receive over 90 percent of their revenue from property taxes
alone. For instance, Baltimore County would be forced to raise
its property tax 62 cents per $100 assessed valuation to gain the

equivalent State aid afforded by the new tax program.

With tax reform, the burden on the property owner to pay the
lion's share of local government needs will be relieved, and ulti-
mately the State's share of the property tax can be completely
eliminated.

Number Three:

Without tax reform, the flat 3 percent levy on earned income will
continue, making no distinction between people living in luxury
and those on a level of moderate subsistence. Everyone pays the
same rate regardless of circumstance.

With tax reform, the flat 3 percent levy is replaced by a form of
graduated taxation, similar in principle and philosophy but not
as harsh as the Federal system.

Number Four:

Without tax reform, the poorer counties are unable to meet
modern standards and Baltimore City becomes entrapped in such
financial distress that its unfair and most regressive earnings tax
becomes a necessity.

With tax reform, the less affluent counties are helped along by
their more prosperous neighbors, and the City of Baltimore re-
ceives sufficient aid to enable it to abandon the earnings tax and
other oppressive alternatives.

Number Five:

Without tax reform, the matter of providing adequate police pro-
tection for their citizens is left pretty much up to the local sub-
divisions, already sorely pressed to meet even minimum require-
ments.