2148                                      Vetoes

Since interest rates are now above 6% and will probably remain
so for at least a year, this delay will have no practical effect. As long
as interest rates remain above 6% there is no incentive to redeem resi-
dential ground rents as illustrated by the fact that new ground rents
on new construction are selling at a substantial discount.

Sincerely,

/s/ Russell R. Reno

Professor of Law.

House Bill No. 146—Washington County Board of Education

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Sections 35 (b)
and 37 of Article 77 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1969 Re-
placement Volume), title "Public Education," subtitle "Chapter 4.
County Boards of Education," to add new Section 36A to that Article
to follow immediately after Section 36 thereof, and to repeal and
re-enact, with amendments, Section 4-1 of Article 33 of the Anno-
tated Code of Maryland (1969 Supplement), title "Election Code,"
subtitle "Method of Nomination," reconstituting the county Board
of Education for Washington County, making it an elective Board,
providing for the election, tenure, duties, salary and operations of
the Board, and submitting this Act to a referendum of the qualified
voters of Washington County.

May 26, 1970.

Honorable Thomas Hunter Lowe
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17, of the Maryland Con-
stitution, I have today vetoed House Bill 146.

This bill provides for an elected Board of Education of Washing-
ton County, with the members being elected for terms of six years.

The Attorney General has informed me that House Bill 146 is
unconstitutional because it conflicts with Article XVII, Section 3,
of the Maryland Constitution. For the reasons given in the attached
copy of the Attorney General's opinion, which is to be considered a
part of this message, I believe that House Bill 146 must be vetoed.

Sincerely,

/s/ Marvin Mandel,

Governor.

Letter from State Law Department on House Bill 146

April 24, 1970.

The Honorable Marvin Mandel
Governor of Maryland
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404