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1	forth in Article 11-A, requires that prior authorization
2	of the General Assembly be obtained before Baltimore City
3	undertakes the issuance of any bonds. However, this
4	limitation is not imposed on any of the Charter Counties,
5	and under the Express Powers Act, such counties may incur
6	indebtedness up to fifteen per cent of their assessable
7	basis. The City of Baltimore is disadvantaged by the
8	requirement of prior legislative authorization for the
9	creation of debt in that it materially lengthens the cycle
10	between the initiation of capital improvement projects and
11	their completion. During the period between legislative
12	authorization and initiation of the projects, we have
13	frequently experienced substantial increased costs, changes
14	in concepts and scopes, and other facts that have had the
15	effect of rendering it difficult, if not impossible, to
16	proceed under the terms of the enabling legislation.
17	"As an example, in 1959 the legislature authorize
18	a $3,000,000 loan to the City of Baltimore for the purpose
19	of constructing a combined health and morgue facility.
20	Subsequent developments resulted in the State assuming the
21	responsibility for laboratory services of the City Health