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felt it would be affecting the powers that
were most detrimental, that perhaps as I
interpret your view, the law establishing
the popularly elected representative re-
gional government could be subject to ref-
erendum but every time there was a change
in powers, you would not want this brought
to referendum. Is this a correct interpre-
tation?
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Winslow.
DELEGATE WINSLOW: I did not
speak to the question which my colleague
suggests. I only pointed out that as the
amendment was worded it would have the
effect of putting to referendum every
change in powers, however slight. That
seems to me to be highly undesirable and
for all practical purposes impossible. I did
not speak to the other part of the question
but I am glad to do so. I would leave the
committee report as it is.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Cardin.
DELEGATE CARDIN: In continuing
that particular line, I am confused as to
if there were any difficulties with this pop-
ularly elected regional government, who
would be empowered to bring this to ref-
erendum? Would it come under the pro-
vision that no more than fifty percent of
the signatures may come from any one
county? If there are only two counties or a
municipality in the county involved, how
would we effect a referendum?
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Winslow.
DELEGATE WINSLOW: The referen-
dum would be effected in exactly the same
way under the present wording of the pro-
vision as it would under the lady's pro-
posed amendment, because her amendment
makes no provision either as to how it
should be effected.
The committee report shows that the
effectuation of the referendum today would
be left in the hands of the General Assem-
bly. It could provide any kind of petition
it pleased in both cases, whether this
should read "may" or "shall."
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Cardin.
DELEGATE CARDIN: One last ques-
tion. Could the word "may" preclude any
referendum?
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Winslow.
DELEGATE WINSLOW: Not that I can
see.
THE CHAIRMAN: Is there any further
debate in favor of the amendment?
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Delegate Carson.
DELEGATE CARSON: Mr. Chairman,
you may call me out of order because it is
not strictly in favor, nor is it strictly
against, but I would like to point out that
in our deliberation in the Local Govern-
ment Committee we did decide that a re-
gional government could preempt entirely
a county government's function although
it would not necessarily have to do so. A
regional government may exercise all the
powers of the former counties involved
whose boundaries lie within it. County lines
would still exist, but powers could be given
by the General Assembly to that regional
government.
On the other hand, powers would not
have to be given so broadly and it would
certainly be consistent also with the exist-
ence of county governments that a limited
regional government be established. Let's
make no bones about it. If you vote for
this you are voting to permit the General
Assembly to permit an all-powerful re-
gional government. I do not say vote
against it. I merely say understand that
when you do vote for it, if you do.
THE CHAIRMAN: The question arises
on adoption of Amendment No. 1. Are you
ready for the question?
(Call for the question.)
A vote Aye is a vote in favor of the
adoption of Amendment No. 1. A vote No
is a vote against. Cast your votes.
(Whereupon, a roll call vote was taken.)
Has every delegate voted?
Does any delegate desire to change his
vote?
(There was no response.)
The clerk will record the vote.
There being 20 votes in the affirmative
and 90 in the negative, the motion fails.
The amendment is rejected.
Are there any other amendments to sec-
tion 7.10?
Delegate Case.
DELEGATE CASE: Mr. Chairman, I
have an amendment in the process of prepa-
ration striking at the same point we have
been discussing here.
THE CHAIRMAN: Are there any other
amendments to either Section 7.10 or 7.02?
Delegate Sybert.
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