1

THE CHAIRMAN: Gentlemen, the meeting will come

2

to order. This is an all-day hearing to discuss Section

3

52 of Article 3 of the Maryland Constitution, dealing with

4

the State budget. As you all know, we have a number of

5

distinguished guests invited today, none the least of whom

6

is Mr. James G. Rennie who sits at our left and his first

7

deputy Mr. Slicher.

8

I think that it would be instructive, gentlemen,

9

if you might just take off from here and explain to the

10

members of the Committee just how the budget works in a

11

broad outline. Of course, 1 don't expect you to go into al

12

the various details, that might take a couple of years, but

13

s

go ahead and if either one of you wants to start, I think

14

it might be helpful. I assume Mr. Smith and Mr. Bond

15

probably have very little understanding —

16

MR. JAMES P. SLICHER: Mr. Bond has a little

17

understanding. He has attended several of our meetings.

18

MR. BOND: I've been at the other end of the

19

table most of the time.

20

THE CHAIRMAN: Go ahead, Jim.

21

MR. JAMES G. RENNIE: Thank you, Dick. I'll start