S.B. 532                                                  VETOES

September 30, 2005, with no further action required by the General Assembly, this Act
shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect.

May 21, 2003

The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
Senate President
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, today I have
vetoed Senate Bill 532 - Baltimore City - Alcoholic Beverages - Licensed Premises
Near Churches or Schools.

Senate Bill 532 would prohibit Baltimore City from issuing new liquor licenses in the
46th Legislative District (according to the 1986 Legislative Districts) to buildings
located within 300 feet of a church or school. According to the 1986 map, District 46
covers most of Southeast Baltimore City, including the Highlandtown and Canton
neighborhoods.

For all intents and purposes, Senate Bill 532 is an attempt to single out one business
owner and prevent the opening of a new restaurant in the Canton section of
Baltimore City. Businesses, community leaders, legislators, and constituents from the
Canton community have weighed in on both sides of the issue. The question at the
center of the controversy is whether O'Donnell Square should have another
restaurant, an issue most appropriately decided by the local community.

Local citizens have avenues of recourse to support or oppose a business through the
long-established hearing and permit processes of local zoning laws and liquor license
laws. Senate Bill 532 short circuits that process, restricts business opportunities,
limits community planning, and discourages legitimate business competition.

For the above stated reasons, I have vetoed Senate Bill 532.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

Governor

Senate Bill No. 532

AN ACT concerning

Baltimore City - Alcoholic Beverages - Licensed Premises Near Churches or

Schools

FOR the purpose of altering the application of a certain prohibition against the
granting of a certain alcoholic beverages license within a certain distance of a
church or school; altering the districts to which a certain exemption applies;
altering the districts to which a certain waiver is applicable; making this Act an
emergency measure; and generally relating to alcoholic beverages licenses in

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