Ehrlich Vetoes Health Care Bill Aimed at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart has questioned the motivation behind the legislation, which is supported by Giant, a Wal-Mart competitor, and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400, the grocery workers union trying to slow Wal-Mart's growth in the Washington region.

"It's clear Wal-Mart is worried," said Chris Kofinis, a senior adviser at the UFCW who attended yesterday's ceremony. "They realize public opinion is against them."

Terry Lierman, chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party, said the legislature's passage of the bill had been "the right thing to do," given that some Wal-Mart employees now must rely on Medicaid, the state-run insurance program for the poor, for health care.

P. Franklin White, president of the Princess Anne Town Commission, said he hopes the General Assembly does not revive the bill in January.

"It's a bad bill for business, and it's a bad bill for Somerset County," White said. He praised Ehrlich for taking "a very courageous step."

The legislation is certain to factor into next year's governor's race. Wal-Mart hosted a fundraiser for Ehrlich last year, and the two leading Democrats seeking to replace him both issued statements condemning his veto.

Barbaro reported from Washington.