1882 VETOES

HOUSE BILL NO. 683

May 6, 1953

Honorable John C. Luber
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

House Bill No. 683, which I am returning herewith as
vetoed, while not clearly so stated, is primarily designed to
prevent the Anne Arundel County Zoning Commissioner or
Board of Zoning Appeals from passing upon the public
need for an alcoholic beverage outlet or the question of its
effect on the public welfare. In Anne Arundel County for a
considerable period of time, specific zoning approval has
been required in certain areas for alcoholic beverage out-
lets, even though commercially zoned, before the Board of
Liquor License Commissioners can act upon an application
for such a license. Ordinarily there might be doubt as to
the wisdom of duplication of such functions in two separate
agencies. In practice, I am informed by civic groups that
the arrangement has been satisfactory in Anne Arundel
County. In view of this fact and the further fact that all
liquor licenses are privileges, rather than matters of right,
I see no benefit to the public generally in relaxing the exist-
ing procedures in Anne Arundel County.

Respectfully,

(s) THEODORE R. MCKELDIN,

Governor
TRMcK/tk

HOUSE BILL NO. 687

May 7, 1953

Honorable John C. Luber
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

I am herewith returning House Bill No. 687 without my
approval. This Bill would increase the State tax on alcoholic
beverages, except beer and wine, from $1. 25 to $1. 50 per