Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to W. H. E., April 29, 1992

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. TENTH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT BALTIMORE COUNTY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE GOVERNOR S COUNCIL ON CHILD ABUSE MARYLAND JUVENILE JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL Щ House of Delegates Annapolis . Maryland 21401-1991 April 29, 1992 I was surprised to receive your note of April 21, 1992 regarding the huge tax increases passed by the General Assembly this year. I use the term "surprised" because I find it hard to believe the Council would (1) condone the failure of the General Assembly to restructure a bloated state bureaucracy during such difficult fiscal times; (2) acquiesce to an increase in business taxes during a time when business bankruptcies are at an historical high and the small businessman is being hit with significant increases in unemployment insurance rates; and (3) support the Schaefer Administration's obvious political strategy of squeezing the subdivisions to death in order to gain leverage for yet additional tax revenues. My thoughts and opinions are more thoroughly outlined in the attached position letter that was sent to approximately 900 of my constituents. As you can see, I firmly believe the Leadership could have pushed a small tax package through the Assembly if such an initiative would have been accompanied by concrete steps to truly downsize government along the lines of suggestions made by the ad hoc bipartisan coalition against tax increases. Alas, the Leadership chose "business as usual." Hopefully, we will have a significantly different Leadership in the General Assembly come November, 1994. I look forward to a continuing dialogue on these and other issues of mutual concern. Also, I am very excited about my upcoming trip to Israel, and extend my sincere thanks to the Council for providing me with this opportunity.