ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

H.B. 1188

budget be reduced to fully fund Thornton, the most recent unfunded mandate. House
Bill 1188 would increase the severity of these already necessary reductions, and
signing it would, in subsequent legislative sessions, encourage other vital interests of
the State to lobby for mandated spending legislation. Accordingly, this legislation is
not only irresponsible but also damaging to our legislative and budgetary processes.

It also should be noted that businesses provide much-needed jobs in our State, and
they will help sustain our economic recovery. By attracting businesses to Maryland
and encouraging the businesses we have to expand, we can produce more jobs for
working Marylanders. If our economy is not producing quality jobs when these
students graduate from Maryland higher education institutions, the students will
leave to pursue careers in other states. In effect, Maryland taxpayers will be
subsidizing the workforce for other states and countries. College graduates and our
business community have a mutually beneficial relationship, which is in the general
public's best interest to continue.

Through close collaboration with higher education leaders and the shared goal of
improved higher education, I am confident that Maryland will continue to take steps
forward in higher education. My recent signature on Senate Bill 738, Higher
Education - University System of Maryland - Governing Authority (Chapter 239 of
the Acts of the General Assembly of 2004) and Senate Bill 430, Higher Education -
Morgan State University - Coordination and Governance (Chapter 273 of the Acts of
the General Assembly of 2004) will allow USM and MSU to be more autonomous and
possess tools they want and need to be more efficient during these difficult economic
times. I look forward to the implementation of these laws, and my Administration will
continue to work in partnership with the leadership of Maryland's higher education
system to find greater efficiencies while maintaining the quality of our outstanding
institutions.

For the above stated reasons, I have vetoed House Bill 1188.

Very truly yours,
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor

House Bill No. 1188

AN ACT concerning

Higher Education Affordability and Access Act of 2004 - Supplementary

Appropriation

FOR the purpose of limiting, to no more than a certain percent for certain academic
years, the amount of the annual increase in tuition that may be charged each
academic year to a resident undergraduate student at certain public senior
higher education institutions in Maryland; providing that a certain tuition
limitation only applies if certain appropriations in certain fiscal years have
increased a certain amount over the preceding fiscal year; requiring the
Governor to include a certain increase in the annual budget submission for
certain fiscal years for the University System of Maryland and Morgan State

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