In the past decade, the budget of Mary-
land has moved from $146 million to $I
billion, a seven-fold increase. This can be
managed under the 90-day session, yes, but
there are so many other things involved in
the governing of a state whose budget is
growing at this rate that over a period of
the next few years, we will be forced to
extend continuously the period of time in
which the legislature should meet.
We cannot say now that this is the right
time, that 90 days plus 30 plus 30 is the
right time, or five years from now. We
cannot say any particular time is. I think
this is something which is best left to the
legislature.
THE CHAIRMAN: Does any other dele-
gate desire to speak in opposition?
Delegate Pullen.
DELEGATE PULLEN: May I ask a
question and not make a speech?
THE CHAIRMAN: Not if you are going
to ask a question of someone in favor. I
will give you an opportunity to do that
later.
DELEGATE PULLEN: This is a very
serious and direct question, sir.
THE CHAIRMAN: To whom is the
question addressed?
DELEGATE PULLEN: To you.
THE CHAIRMAN: Parliamentary in-
quiry?
DELEGATE PULLEN: No, sir, a ques-
tion of fact.
THE CHAIRMAN: I suppose the quick-
est thing is to ask you to state the ques-
tion. Please state the question.
DELEGATE PULLEN: I think you will
be satisfied with the question.
Is there any length upon a special ses-
sion? If not, would not this resolution be
accomplished through the use of special
sessions?
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Gallagher
can answer that best.
DELEGATE GALLAGHER: Mr. Chair-
man, as the section is written, there is no
limit upon the length of the special session.
THE CHAIRMAN: I take it your an-
swer to the question is in the affirmative,
then?
DELEGATE GALLAGHER: You are
correct, sir. |
THE CHAIRMAN: Does any delegate
desire to speak in favor of the resolution?
I think Delegate Lloyd Taylor had the
floor. Did you desire to speak in favor?
DELEGATE L. TAYLOR: Yes.
As pointed out by Dr. Bard, the public
has held the state legislature in distrust
for many years. This is an historical fact.
As also pointed out by Harry Taylor, most
legislators are held in distrust and this is
true of sessions of many state legislatures.
It is believed that state legislatures make
mistakes and the legislators are not too
well qualified to do their work, so therefore
the American people severely restrict the
frequency of sessions.
This is primarily the problem of states,
as Congress now meets in annual session,
beginning in January and city councils
meet mostly weekly. Many states have ad-
hered to the belief that we can get along
without fairly frequent and extended ses-
sions of the policy-determining branch of
government.
THE CHAIRMAN: Does any other dele-
gate desire to speak in opposition?
Delegate Gill?
DELEGATE GILL: In support of the
Committee majority report, I would like to
say that even though there is more restric-
tion on special sessions, there is a great
deal of money involved when you call one,
whereas when you extend the time from 90
days to the 30 days by majority vote, and
if that is not sufficient extend it for 30
more days by a three-fifths vote, there is
no additional money involved.
THE CHAIRMAN: Does any other dele-
gate desire to speak in favor of the amend-
ment?
Delegate Wheatley?
DELEGATE WHEATLEY: Mr. Chair-
man, I wish to speak in favor of the amend-
ment. In so doing, I find myself in a rather
unique position, perhaps being more liberal
than the liberal Legislative Committee.
I think the points taken could best be
resolved in terms of how much power we
want to give to the legislative branch of
government. I believe that the legislature
should be equally strong or stronger, if
that be the case, than the other two
branches of government mentioned, and I
suggest that no greater power can be given
than the ability to determine the session |
