May18,2000

The Honorable Casper R. Taylor, Jr.
Speaker of the House
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed House Bill 286 - State Government - Department of Planning.

This Administration bill makes the Office of Planning a principal department of State government and changes the name to the Department of Planning and provides that the Secretary of Planning is to be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. It designates the Attorney General as legal advisor and requires the Attorney General to assign assistants to the department and designate one as counsel. It is the intent of the General Assembly that there be no increase in the State budget of the Department of Planning for fiscal 2001 or subsequent years directly resulting from the bill's provisions. Also, with the exception of one provision for which the Governor must issue a proclamation, the bill takes effect July 1, 2000.

Senate Bill 204, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on May 11, 2000, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign House Bill 286.

Sincerely,
Parris N. Glendening
Governor