Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, June 26, 1995

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Richard Cross June 26, 1995 202-225-3061 EHRLICH PRESERVES SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION FUNDS FOR STATE OF MARYLAND Due to the intervention of Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (R-MD), Maryland will not lose $24.3 million in federal substance abuse grants. The funds in question are part of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) block grant program. HHS questioned Maryland’s eligibility for additional grant funds because state lawmakers failed to enact legislation making owners and leasers of cigarette vending machines liable for selling to minors. In a letter to HHS Secretary Donna Shalala, Ehrlich argued that the State of Maryland is eligible for funding because of existing laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco to minors. “I suggest,” the Congressman stated, “in the strongest possible terms that the Department of Health and Human Services honor the promised grant.” HSS officials later determined that federal grant requirements had been met. Delegate Ronald A. Guns (D-Kent County), chairman of the House Environmental Matters Committee, later praised Ehrlich for his “invaluable assistance” in protecting the HHS funding. “Your efforts to clarify legislative intent,” Delegate Guns stated, “and to explain Maryland’s compliance with the federal law. . .was crucially important in securing this funding.”