CHAPTER 477
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 3
As Amended by
SENATE AMENDMENT No. 1
ESTABLISHING A COMMITTEE TO MAKE A THOROUGH, UNRESTRICTED, LONG-RANGE INVESTIGATION INTO STATE FINANCES.
WHEREAS, Delaware's present financial status is largely the result of extraordinarily large and non-recurring sources of income; and
WHEREAS, the state's normal income over the past 10 years from regular sources has not been adequate to meet normal expenses; and
WHEREAS, the annual budget has increased at a yearly average of 10 per cent, while revenues have increased only five per cent; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly and the Governor are faced with frequent and often compelling requests for costly new programs and additional funding of present programs; and
WHEREAS, it is apparent that the state will face a fiscal crisis within the next few years if present trends continue, and the Governor himself has said the next administration will have to raise taxes; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable that the crucial issue of state finance be considered carefully and before any crisis does develop;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the 124th General Assembly, the Senate concurring therein, that a committee of qualified citizens be named to undertake a thorough, unrestricted, long-range investigation into state finances; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Speaker of the House of Representatives appoint four persons to this committee, no more than two from the same political party; that the President Pro Tern of the Senate appoint four persons to this committee, no more than two from the same political party; and that the Governor of the State of Delaware appoint five persons to this committee no more than three from the same political party and one member designated as the chairman; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee be members of this committee; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this committee be and is hereby instructed to investigate, without limitation, anticipated revenue and expenditures over the next decade, potential sources of new revenue, revenue collection procedures, state borrowing policies, efficiency of state government, use of the Capital Investment Fund, and such other areas as the committee may deem advisable; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this committee be given a free hand to make whatever recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly that it finds proper; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the sum of $25,000 is hereby appropriated for the committee to employ professional staff and begin its work, with the understanding that any further sums required must be appropriated in a later resolution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Committee shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly, its report not later than April 1, 1969; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the appointing authorities notify the other two (2) appointing authorities, in writing, within thirty (30) clays of the effective date hereof, the names of their respective appointees.
Became law on June 28, 1968, without approval of the Governor in accordance with Article 3, Section 18, as amended, of the Constitution of Delaware.