2100 VETOES

Mr. Joseph D. Buscher, Assistant Attorney General and I
concur that the bill in its present form could probably be held
to be invalid by the courts in that it is discriminatory and
class legislation.

Respectfully yours,

THEODORE R. MCKELDIN,

Governor

TRMcK: jt

May 7, 1951

Hon. John C. Luber

Speaker of the House of Delegates

State House

Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

I am returning House Bill No. 389 without my approval.

The Bill is designed to relieve manufacturers of wines and
liquors and wholesale dealers in those commodities of their
present responsibility to pay for their State tax stamps when
they order them.

Under the terms of the Bill they would receive the tax stamps
on credit and would pay on the tenth day of each month fol-
lowing the tax due the State on wines and liquors of which
they had disposed. Similar provisions already exist as to
the malt beverage industry. This legislation is designed to
place the entire alcoholic beverage industry on the same basis.

However, it is estimated that this Bill would mean a loss
of approximately $600, 000 to the State Treasury during the
coming fiscal year, since the legislation is to take effect July
1st, 1951. While this loss would theoretically be made up in
subsequent fiscal years, the danger of disturbing the budget
balance by the loss of such a large amount of revenue
precludes approval of this Bill.

I am, therefore, returning the Bill herewith without my
approval.

Respectfully,

THEODORE R. MCKELDIN,

Governor

TRMcK/jmt