NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 20, 2005

EQUALITY MARYLAND
Contact: Dan Furmansky, Executive Director
Phone:    Office 301-587-7500
Cell    301-461-4900
Email:  dan@equalitymaryland.org

GOVERNOR ROBERT L. EHRLICH JR. TO VETO MEDICAL DECISION MAKING ACT AND TRANSFER & RECORDATION TAX EXEMPTION BILL

Governor's Spokeswoman Cites Rejected Phantom Amendments

Annapolis - Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) announced today that he is vetoing the Medical Decision Making Act, legislation that would have allowed unmarried couples to serve as each other's next of kin for crucial healthcare and post-mortem decisions. Another bill eliminating an unfair property tax levied only on unmarried couples will be vetoed as well. The Medical Decision Making Act contained 11 basic protections, seven of which could not be accomplished through advance directive, power of attorney, or will. The bill passed the Senate with a veto-proof majority of 31-16, but fell two votes short of such a majority in the House of Delegates, where the bill passed 83-50. In an article in the Weekend Gazette, Ehrlich spokeswoman Shareese N. DeLeaver dashed speculation that the Governor might sign the bill "when she noted the General Assembly's decision to kill amendments to the bill that the governor supported."

"Equality Maryland and the bills' sponsors sat down with people on both sides of the aisle in attempts to pass them with broad support," said Executive Director Dan Furmansky. "The Medical Decision Making Act, in particular, was a very open process, and we would have welcomed the Governor's input on this effective measure that would have protected thousands of Maryland families. Clearly, we were amenable to strengthening the bill as we accepted several amendments throughout the process."

During the legislative session, Equality Maryland met with the Governor's chief of staff, legislative director, and policy director, repeatedly requesting feedback on the legislation and a meeting with the Governor. There were no concerns about language expressed by staff and no suggestions for strengthening the bill. Equality Maryland risked the passage of the Medical Decision Making Act by supporting last-minute amendments offered by the Governor's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in order to ensure the bill was as strong as possible.

"Today's vetoes are confirmation that the moderate wing of the Republican Party in Maryland, which the Governor is supposed to represent, has dwindled into obscurity," said Delegate Richard S. Madaleno (D-Kensington). "Truly moderate Republican Governors around the nation, like Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell and California Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar, have lent support for far more comprehensive measures than those the Governor killed today."

In the wake of the vetoes, Equality Maryland pledged to work vigorously to override the Governor's vetoes on these two important bills.