WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

J.R. 8

WHEREAS, The over 900 horse farms in Maryland that encompass a span of more
than 200,000 acres provide employment for many Marylanders, preserve green open
spaces, and positively impact on land values; and

WHEREAS, The existence of many of Maryland's horse farms are dependent on
the Maryland horse racing industry; and

WHEREAS, In FY 1995, direct revenues to the State budget from horse racing are
expected to approach $6 million; and

WHEREAS, Pimlico and Laurel lost over $7 million in 1993; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds and declares that the Maryland horse
racing industry is in decline; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, the General Assembly reduced the tax on pari-mutuel
wagering from 4.09% to 0.5% in order to promote the health and growth of the industry;
and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly believes that higher taxes at this time would be
damaging to the horse racing and breeding industries, and would threaten the very
existence of this vital industry; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Maryland Congressional Delegation oppose federal legislation imposing any excise taxes,
increases in withholding on winning wagers, or other similar measures; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded by the Department of
Legislative Reference to the Maryland Congressional Delegation: Senators Paul S.
Sarbanes and Barbara A. Mikulski, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; and
Representatives Wayne T. Gilchrest, Helen Delich Bentley, Benjamin L. Cardin, Albert
R. Wynn, Steny Hamilton Hoyer, Roscoe G. Bartlett, Kweisi Mfume, and Constance A.
Morella, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515.

Signed May 26, 1994.

Joint Resolution No. 8
(House Joint Resolution No. 1)

A House Joint Resolution concerning

National Fire Prevention Week - State and Local Observance

FOR the purpose of urging the Governor and certain county and municipal officials to
issue a proclamation on the Sunday of National Fire Prevention Week to honor
certain fire, rescue, and emergency personnel and to encourage certain other
activities.

WHEREAS, There are over 33,000 active fire, rescue, and emergency personnel
in the State; and

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