BLAIR LEE III, Acting Governor

2987

FOR the purpose of directing the Department of Economic and

Community Development to study and report on the

feasibility of legislation providing State tax

incentives for privately financed neighborhood and
community assistance programs.

WHEREAS, The physical and human problems of
economically disadvantaged communities are manifold, and
cannot be met entirely by governmental programs; and

WHEREAS, Private business has the capability, desire,
and enlightened self interest to contribute money and
resources, directly or through nonprofit community
organizations, to programs for neighborhood betterment
including community facilities, job training, education,
crime prevention, and community services; and

WHEREAS, This private assistance has the advantage of
directly involving the business community and leveraging
financial incentives provided by government, with minimum
bureaucratic involvement; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has had in successful operation
for ten years a Neighborhood Assistance Program administered
by its Department of Community Affairs, which provides
credits against business taxes for qualifying contributions
by businesses to approved programs, and Pennsylvania's
legislation has been followed by other states; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Department of Economic and Community Development study the
desirability and feasibility of establishing a Maryland
program of tax incentives for private neighborhood and
community assistance activity and report its findings to the
General Assembly by January 1, 1978 1979; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be sent to the
Honorable Blair Lee III, Acting Governor of the State of
Maryland; the Honorable Steny Hamilton Hoyer, President of
the Senate of Maryland; the Honorable John Hanson Briscoe,
Speaker of the House of Delegates; Mr. Joseph G. Anastasi
Mr. Herbert Cahan, Secretary of the Department of Economic
and Community Development, 2525 Riva Road, Annapolis,
Maryland 21401; and Mr. Michael I. Volk, 90 State Circle,
Room 113, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

Approved May 29, 1978.

No. 45

(Senate Joint Resolution 27)