WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

S.B. 664

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today
vetoed Senate Bill 664.

Senate Bill 664 would provide a $2,000 Maryland income tax deduction for certain
qualifying volunteer fire, rescue, or emergency medical services personnel. Under this
bill, the State would lose $1 million in revenues and local governments would lose
$500,000 in fiscal year 1996.

I certainly recognize the value of the public service provided by the State's volunteer fire,
rescue and emergency personnel, and I applaud the efforts of these dedicated volunteers.
This Administration has been extremely supportive of fire, rescue and emergency
services, and I have made every effort to restore the State aid provided for these services
to their pre-cost containment levels. Furthermore, this Administration proposed and
worked diligently to enact legislation to provide a permanent funding source for
emergency services, by earmarking a portion of motor vehicle registration fees for such
services. In vetoing this bill, it is not my intent to appear unappreciative of the sacrifices
made by the thousands of dedicated volunteers who provide emergency services to the
people of Maryland.

Unfortunately, at this time, the State cannot afford the annual $1 million reduction in
general fund revenues mandated by Senate Bill 664. 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. Therefore, it
is unwise to allow revenues to erode when these funds will be needed in the forthcoming
years.

For this reason, I have vetoed Senate Bill 664.

Sincerely,

William Donald Schaefer

Governor

Senate Bill No. 664

AN ACT concerning

Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Volunteer Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical

Services Personnel

FOR the purpose of providing a subtraction modification under the Maryland income tax
in certain amounts for certain qualifying volunteer fire, rescue, or emergency
medical services members; providing certain criteria for qualification for the
subtraction modification; requiring fire, rescue, or emergency medical services
organizations to maintain certain records and provide certain reports relating to
certain volunteer services; requiring the Maryland State Firemen's Association to
submit a certain annual report to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional
Services and the Comptroller's Office; providing for a certain penalty under certain
circumstances; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to a
subtraction modification under the Maryland income tax in certain amounts for
certain qualifying volunteer fire, rescue, or emergency medical services members.

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