PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

S.B. 454

year 1998, an estimated $4.4 million in fees will be collected to partially cover the clerks'
recordation costs. While this bill will increase county revenues, it will force the State to
reduce funding in priority areas, such as school construction, to pay the cost of recording
deeds.

As Governor, I have and will continue to support the needs of local government. In the
fiscal year 1998 budget, State aid to local governments increased by $193 million or 7.7
percent, while State agency budgets grew by only 3.3 percent. Additionally, I included
$150 million for school construction projects to meet the pressing needs of communities
that face increasing school enrollments and aging schools. In light of this assistance, I
cannot support further mandates in local aid.

In its simplest terms, Senate Bill 454 means $4.4 million less in State education and school
construction funding in fiscal year 1999 and $17 million less for education funding over
the next four years. Education is my highest priority and I cannot support legislation that
would divert such a large amount of money from this goal.

For the above reason, I have vetoed Senate Bill 454.

Sincerely,

Parris N. Glendening

Governor

Senate Bill No. 454

AN ACT concerning

Recordation Tax - Payment and Collection

FOR the purpose of providing for collection of the recordation tax by certain county
officers instead of the clerks of the circuit court under certain circumstances;
requiring certain county officers to deduct from the recordation tax and remit to the
Comptroller a certain percentage for a certain fiscal year; and generally relating to
the payment and collection of the recordation tax imposed on certain instruments.

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article - Tax - Property
Section 1-101(e)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1994 Replacement Volume and 1996 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Tax - Property
Section 12-109(b) and 12-110(a) and (b)(1)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1994 Replacement Volume and 1996 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

- 4463 -