2120 VETOES

MERIT SYSTEM

May 7, 1951

Hon. George W. Della
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. President:

I return S. B. 141 without my approval because it appears
to me to open dangerous possibilities of abuse of the merit
system. Doubtless, means should be found for the periodical
clearance of eligible lists, but this should be done on a basis
that does not permit of improper discrimination.

Respectfully,

THEODORE R. MCKELDIN,

Governor

MOTOR VEHICLES

May 7, 1951

Hon. George W. Della
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. President:

Senate Bill No. 31 purports to exempt non-residents of this
State from payment of the motor vehicle titling tax, upon be-
coming a resident of this State and being required to obtain
an automobile title certificate. In justification of this exemp-
tion, it is claimed that the owners of such vehicles have already
paid some tax in other jurisdictions upon titling of their cars
and that no transfer of title is involved. I am advised that the
granting of the exemption would involve a substantial loss of
revenue to the State. Further, I believe that the Bill might
well involve administrative difficulties in verification of non-
residence far beyond any supposed inequity which it possibly
corrects. The exemption might to some extent encourage resi-
dents living close to the Maryland borders to purchase automo-
biles in other jurisdictions which do not levy a similar tax.
Maryland automobile dealers would thereby be deprived of
business and the State of income to which it is lawfully en-
titled.

Aside from this, it does not follow that the non-resident
coming into the State has paid a tax for the original titling
of his car equivalent to that paid by Maryland residents. To