NEWS CONFERENCE 171

A. Well, I think that this is an area that Maryland does need reform
in as we have all recognized. And I think that it has been an impedi-
ment and a deterrent to our exploiting our best possibilities in busi-
ness development for many years, and of course we are going to get
to this next year and we hope we can do something about it.

Q. Are you still getting a lot of protests, Governor, on the tax reform?
A. Very frankly, I have not received a great amount of protests from
the tax reform. Last week in Montgomery County, in remarks that
were given at a newspaper dedication, on the open street the reception
of the crowd was not at all hostile. People were extremely cordial. I
don't feel any antagonism as a result of this program. Wherever I go
people are quick to state that it's medicine and it grabs them in the
pocketbook, but they recognize that it's needed.

Q. Governor, the State has some tentative plan about a 31-story office
building in Baltimore in the complex up there. Is that near realization
or has it started?

A. I don't believe it's in any way near realization. I haven't had a
chance to go over it with Mr. O'Donnell, as yet. As a matter of fact,
the capital programs have to be explored very shortly with the staff
and with Mr. O'Donnell. But I haven't been into that problem in
any depth at this point.

Q. Do you see the need for a great deal more space?

A. Well, when the Task Force on Modern Management finishes its
review of the agencies, I hope that we will be able to get along for a
while on the space that we have. I also feel that any plans for addi-
tional space should take into consideration the coming Constitutional
Convention and the possibility that the reorganization of the frame-
work of government may be lessened. So we shouldn't move too quick-
ly in this area until we know what agencies we are going to have to
house and how many people they're going to contain.

Q. On the Constitutional Convention, Governor, have you taken a
look at the list of the persons that filed?

A. Yes, and I was amazed at how many people did file at the very last
minute, and all over the State I see the names of very capable people
listed in each subdivision. It seems to me the people have an excellent
choice.

Q. Are you surprised that not too many members of the Legislature
filed?