HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2245

State House

Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the
Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill 829.

This bill allows for a carry—over of funds in the State
and Senatorial Scholarship programs from one fiscal year to
the next, by providing that funds that remain unused at the
end of a fiscal year are to be deposited in a special fund
for awards by the State Scholarship Board as one—year
grants.

The bill would thus provide an exception to the general
rule that unexpended funds must be reverted to the General
Fund of the State. The general rule is founded on sound
fiscal policy. It generally is unwise to allow a State
agency to accumulate annual appropriations, for such a
procedure necessarily involves some loss of budgetary
control by both the Chief Executive and the Legislature.

I am not convinced that there exists in this instance a
compelling reason for an exception to that sound general
policy. I am convinced, however, that if I signed this
bill, a poor precedent would be set.

For these reasons I have decided to veto Senate Bill
829.

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor

Senate Bill No. 864

AN ACT concerning

Merit System - Presentation of Pay Plan

FOR the purpose of altering the time for presentation to the
General Assembly of amendments to the pay plan for all
classes of positions , of classified and unclassified
service.

May 29, 1979
Honorable James Clark, Jr.
President of the Senate