HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3493

When I was elected Governor of this State, I appointed
a Commission on Welfare Grants. That Commission furnished a
report dated November 1, 1979, in which it established a
standard of need and recommended increased grants for
welfare recipients. For Fiscal Year 1980, I recommended
increased grants of 10% and the General Assembly approved my
request. In Fiscal Year 1981, I recommended increased
welfare grants of 11% and the General Assembly approved that
request. In each of those two fiscal years funds were
available to permit the increases that were authorized. For
Fiscal Year 1982, I again made increased grants a top
priority of my Administration. But as we all learned
sufficient revenue did not materialize to effect any change.
Increasing welfare grants remains a commitment of mine but
without sufficient revenues or new revenue sources, such
increases cannot be made.

The fiscal picture of the State has not changed
materially and the revenue projections continue to lag
mirroring the nation's economy. Furthermore, the new
administration in Washington has vowed to slash federally
aided programs, such as the ones addressed by this bill, by
as much as 25%.

With the State's economy continuing to produce slack
revenues and with the sure knowledge that the federal
government will be withdrawing massive financial support
from this and other states, plus the fact that no new
revenue raising measure has been passed, I cannot in good
conscience sign Senate Bill 1061 today which would require
the following State expenditures over the next four fiscal
years: 1983 - $16,388,700; 1984 - $38,325,800; 1985 -
$63,630,100 and 1986 - $96,704,700.

Some people have argued that this bill does not
require, as a matter of constitutional law, that these
expenditures be made. Others have argued that I should sign
the bill with the full knowledge that I won't include any
further increases in my budget submissions. To adopt either
or both of these arguments might satisfy constitutional
experts and budget technicians. But surely, merely signing
the bill, under those conditions, will not satisfy the human
needs of those unfortunate citizens who must look to the
State government for help. And it will not satisfy me.

Since I have been Governor, I believe I have
demonstrated my concern for our citizens who are in need. I
appointed a Commission on Welfare Grants which reported to
me just 18 months ago. I recommended increases of 21% when
funds were available. I will continue my efforts to raise
grant levels to the standard of need. But I will not sign a
bill which would falsely raise the hopes of countless
numbers of Maryland citizens when I know that the necessary
revenues to sustain those hopes are not available.