WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                        S.B. 567

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today
vetoed Senate Bill 567.

Senate Bill 567 would alter the formula for determining the supplemental grant for State
Aid for Police Protection from $2 to $3 per capita in each subdivision and would include
Baltimore City in the Supplemental Grant Program at the rate of $1 per capita. This bill
would increase State aid to local governments by $5 million in fiscal year 1996.

While I certainly cannot argue with the benefits of expanded police services, the
proliferation of statutory mandates on State spending erodes the ability of the Executive
to establish spending priorities and develop a budget that reflects those priorities. Such
mandates also limit the ability of the Governor to respond to fiscal crises in times of
economic distress. This is especially true for mandated funding of the magnitude
proposed in Senate Bill 567, which is not accompanied by a corresponding increase in
revenues.

During my tenure as Governor, I have always been supportive of public safety programs
at the local level. The fiscal year 1995 budget included $52.5 million in aid for police
protection, an increase of $8.8 million or 20% over the previous year. I provided an
additional $3.2 million for special drug enforcement and violent crime grant programs in
Prince George's County and $4.3 million for Baltimore City foot patrol and violent crime
grants. In 1991, my Administration introduced legislation that authorized the State to
take over the Baltimore City Jail so the City could devote future resources to law
enforcement needs. Therefore, in vetoing Senate Bill 567, it is not my intent to impair
funding for local police protection.

The Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning has predicted that in the near future, the
growth in spending as a result of existing statutory requirements will far outweigh
projected revenue growth. I therefore think it is unwise to tie the hands of the future
Executive with additional spending mandates. However, the next Governor can continue
to enhance local police protection by providing additional funds through the budget, as I
have chosen to do.

For these reasons, I have vetoed Senate Bill 567.

Sincerely,

William Donald Schaefer

Governor

Senate Bill No. 567

AN ACT concerning

State Aid for Police Protection - Supplemental Grant

FOR the purpose of altering the per capita amount of a certain supplemental grant by the
State to certain subdivisions for police protection; providing for a supplemental
grant by the State to Baltimore City of a certain per capita amount; requiring the
State to allocate and distribute the grant among the subdivisions and certain

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