660 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

porting their programs. In short, where you have a Legislature orient-
ed six-to-one against the Governor's party, the Governor has to volun-
tarily recognize that they represent the leadership of the Democrats,
that they have a certain pride of authorship and I want to do this
because I recognize that together we can achieve a great deal for the
State.

Q. Well, money they always say is the root of all evil, but the lack
of money is the sorrow of all governors, they think. But it seems to me,
Governor, you have had a year to think of this very seriously. Perhaps
there have to be new sources of revenue uncovered for state and local
governments.

A. Yes, we undertook a very ambitious tax reform. It didn't exactly
make me as popular as Willie Mays or Johnny Unitas last year, but
we sensed the need to do it. We sent our revenue into local govern-
ment because they were in a more desperate situation than the State
was. Consequently, the State is still facing strictures in revenue and
this year as a result of that we had to cut our general fund spending
increases down to 6. 1 percent, which is the lowest amount of increase
in the past 20 years in Maryland. Obviously there are many good pro-
grams that had to be curtailed. I didn't like to do this, but I faced no
alternative because frankly the people cannot stand on the State level
any broad-based increase in taxation. The answer is going to come
from a recognition by the Federal government that there are some ex-
ploding problems that the State is charged with the financial ability
to solve, and that it just doesn't have that ability. I feel, for example,
that the welfare problem has to be taken over by the Federal govern-
ment. I feel that it's to the benefit of everyone if welfare costs are not
only standardized but administered under a national setup, such as
Social Security. I think this will relieve the constant flow of the im-
poverished to those states who are doing the most in social reform.

Q. This is a great problem in Maryland?

A. They are matters that we need Federal assistance in.

Q. Do you think that the Federal government taking over the welfare
problem could stabilize costs? It seems to me, at least in the letters
that I receive — and you receive thousands more than I do — one of
the great complaints from taxpayers is that welfare costs keep going
up all the time and they can see no reason for it, these letter writers,
and demand that something be done. But it's easy to ask for something
to be done; it's harder to do something about it.

A. First, I've got to be totally frank and say, no, I don't think they