Marvin Mandel, Governor                         2073

Resolved, by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the Governor
is requested to secure funds to complete the restoration of the Con-
stellation; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this Resolution be sent to the Governor
and to the Director of the Department of Budget and Procurement.

Approved April 15, 1970.

No. 5
(House Joint Resolution 22)

House Joint Resolution requesting the Congress of the United States

to take favorable action on the Kerner Commission's recommenda-
tion that the federal government absorb the total cost of public

welfare.

Whereas, The Kerner Commission has recommended that the fed-
eral government absorb the total cost of public welfare; and

Whereas, The present state budget for social services exclusive of
correctional and juvenile services amounts to approximately 60
million dollars; and

Whereas, The present state budget for community health and
medical care services amounts to approximately 90 million dollars;
and

Whereas, The aforementioned appropriations for the public wel-
fare currently comprise 19% of Maryland's annual budget; and

Whereas, The counties and cities of this State contribute an addi-
tional 10 million dollars to the welfare program; and

Whereas, the increasing costs of Medicaid under present condi-
tions will appreciably add to state budgets in the future; and

Whereas, Medicaid is a valuable program for the people of Mary-
land and should be continued; and

Whereas, The cost of welfare programs is basically a federal
responsibility; and

Whereas, Absorption of welfare costs by the federal government
would release hundreds of millions of dollars for both property tax
reduction and needed new progressive programs for the under-
privileged at the state level; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That this body
strongly urges the Congress of the United States to take early favor-
able action on the aforementioned Kerner Commission recommenda-
tion so that appropriate planning for property tax reduction and
needed new programs for the underprivileged can be initiated in the
State; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be forwarded by the Secre-
tary of State under the Great Seal of the State of Maryland to the
President of the United States, the presiding officer of each branch
of the Congress, and to the members thereof from the State.

Approved April 15, 1970.

No. 6
(House Joint Resolution 44)

House Joint Resolution directing the Cecil County Commissioners to
appoint a special commission to develop a plan for the total police
protection of Cecil County.