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HARRY HUGHES, Governor
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Funding for the senatorial and delegate scholarship programs
for fiscal year 1985 approximates $3.0 million, with Senatorial
Scholarship funding set at a fixed funding level and Delegate
Scholarship funding linked to increases in tuition and fees at
the University of Maryland. The aggregate funding for these
scholarship programs may need to be enchanced, since the higher
cost of education over the years alone would prompt such a
conclusion. But any proposed adjustment should be carefully
developed and founded on certain criteria used for (1) justifying
the need for the increase and (2) quantifying the appropriate
funding increase to meet that need. Instead, House Bill 430
arbitrarily raises scholarship levels without any demonstrable
relationship between the size of the adjustment and the need for
such a large increase.
The increase in scholarship funding for these two programs
contained in this legislation would ultimately cost $4.7 million
-- $1.7 million above the current appropriation and set at a
level dramatically in excess of the General State Scholarship
Program.
The awarding of General State Scholarships is determined
exclusively by need and merit. It ensures that those who have
demonstrated the ability and the financial need for assistance
will receive the financial aid necessary in order to pursue their
educational goals. State support for this very worthy program
for fiscal year 1985 will be approximately $3.5 million, which is
an increase from the Fiscal Year 1984 funding level of $1.7
million.
To permit the funding level for General Assembly Scholarship
Programs to exceed the General Scholarship Program by the
proposed amount would be inappropriate.
For the above reasons, I have decided to veto House Bill
430.
Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor
House Bill No. 430
AN ACT concerning
House of Delegates Scholarships
FOR the purpose of creating an alternative procedure for the
award of House of Delegates Scholarships; specifying
requirements and limitations for awards under the
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