and five members appointed by the Governor to
four-year terms (Code State Government Article,
secs. 9^01 through 9^08).

CAPITAL DEBT AFFORDABILITY
COMMITTEE

Chairperson: William S. James, State Treasurer

Louis L. Goldstein, Comptroller of the Treasury;
H. Louis Stettler III, Secretary of Budget and
Fiscal Planning; Constance Lieder, Secretary of
State Planning; Paul B. Meritt.

P. 0. Box 666

Annapolis 21404 Telephone: 269-3533

The Capital Debt Affordability Committee was
created by Chapter 43, Acts of 1978. It consists of
several ex officio members and one person ap-
pointed by the Governor. The State Treasurer by
law is designated chairperson.

The Committee reviews the size and condition of
the State debt on a continuing basis. On or before
August 1 of each year it prepares and submits to
the Governor and the General Assembly its esti-
mate of the maximum amount of new general
obligation debt that prudently may be authorized
for the next ensuing fiscal year. In making this
estimate the Committee considers: 1) the amount
of genera] obligation debt that will be issued and
outstanding during that next fiscal year; 2) the
amount of general obligation debt that will be
authorized but unissued during such fiscal year; 3)
the capital program plan for the ensuing five fiscal
years prepared by the Department of State Plan-
ning; 4) projections of school construction and
capital improvement needs for the ensuing five
fiscal years prepared by the Interagency Commit-
tee on School Construction; 5) projections of debt
service requirements for the ensuing ten fiscal
years; 6) other factors relevant to the ability of the
State to meet its projected debt service require-
ments for the ensuing five years; 7) criteria estab-
lished or used by recognized bond rating agencies
in judging the quality of State bond issues; 8) other
factors relevant to the marketability of State bonds;
and 9) the effect of additional debt authorizations
on each of the factors enumerated above.

The Committee's estimate is advisory and is not
binding upon the Governor, the Board of Public
Works, or the General Assembly (Code 1957, Art.
31, sec. 25 et seq.).

Independent Agencies/357

OFFICE FOR CHILDREN AND
YOUTH

John E. Kyle, Director

301 W. Preston St., Suite 1502
Baltimore 21201 Telephone: 383-2290

The Office for Children and Youth was created
by Chapter 426, Acts of 1978. The Office assists
operating agencies, local governments, and organi-
zations in carrying out their functions relating to
children and youth efficiently, economically, and
effectively and helps families and the general
public learn about such programs and services.

The Office consists of a Director, twenty-four
local Children's Councils, the State Advisory Com-
mittee for Children and Youth, the Governor's
Youth Advisory Council, and the Maryland Chil-
dren's Programs Awards Committee.

The Director for Children and Youth is ap-
pointed by and serves at the pleasure of the
Governor and is directly responsible to him.
Among other duties, the Director evaluates public
and private programs, services, and plans for
children from birth through age eighteen to identi-
fy duplications and gaps in service delivery, pro-
gram resources, inefficiencies, and unmet needs.
For children's programs and services, the Director
secures and analyzes departmental plans and bud-
get requests; reviews federal, State, )oca) and
private funds used by and available to the State;
identifies and collates relevant Governor's Budget
items; issues impact statements; and makes recom-
mendations to the Governor by Sept. 15 of each
year and to appropriate department heads on
planning and expenditures. The Director maintains
liaison with departments and local governments to
coordinate services and make the best use of
existing resources for efficient, systematic delivery
of services. The Director also implements the
priorities identified by the Advisory Committee.
With representative local Children's Councils and
other child advocacy groups, including parents, the
Director receives advice on resources, needs, and
priorities in different localities. In addition, the
Director provides public information on children's
services in the State, advises the legislature on the
needs of children and their families, and prepares
an annual report to the Governor and the public.

An Office brochure, newsletter subscription,
position papers, and periodic updates on State
legislation are available upon request.