Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. ~ 2003 Press Release ~ Military Personnel Task Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 15, 2003

Governor Introduces Military Personnel Task Force Members

Task Force to Hold Public Meeting Thursday

ANNAPOLIS – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today introduced twelve members of the State Task Force to Study the Financial Impact of Retired Military Service Personnel on the Economy of the State. Bruce D. Kahl of the Military Officers Association will serve as the Chairman of the Task Force. The Task Force will hold its first public hearing October 16 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 150 of the Lowe House Office Building in Annapolis.

“The individuals on this task force share my commitment to Maryland’s veterans and military personnel,” said Governor Ehrlich. “I am pleased that they are working with my administration and the legislature to address the issues affecting Maryland’s military personnel and to fully understand their economic impact in the State.”

The task force will study the following issues:

The cost of health care services provided by the State to retired military personnel;
The average taxes paid by military personnel on an annual basis;
The total tax burden on military retirees in the State as compared to other states;
The average expenditures paid by a military retiree for goods and services, in sales tax, and real estate tax;
The number of retirees engaged in secondary employment;
The average total income of retired military personnel including any secondary employment, military retirement income, or other retirement income;
The average expenditures of the State and local governments for military retirees and their families;

Members of the Commission include:

Mr. Bruce D. Kahl, (Chairman), Military Officers Association Representative
Baltimore

Mr. Lance H. Sweigart, American Legion Representative
Laurel

Mr. George E. Creighton, Jr., Veterans of Foreign Wars Representative
Bowie

Mr. Robert L. Hooper, Retired Enlisted Association Representative
Pasadena

Mr. Harry D. Sinclair, Citizen Representative
Odenton

Mr. Charles Pefinis, Citizen Representative
Timonium

Mr. Edward Kreiner, Citizen Representative
Forest Hills

Mr. Stan Seemann, Certified Public Accountant
Rockville

Senator Robert H. Kittleman, Appointed by the Senate President
District 9

Delegate Mary Ann Love, Appointed by the Speaker
District 32

Mr. David R. Roose, Appointed by the Comptroller
Director, Board of Estimates

Mr. James Adkins, Representative of Secretary Hutchins
Maryland Army Brigadier General, and Director of MD Veterans Cemetery Program

The task force is required to report its findings to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2003.