Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-01-10
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE
Enrri-n {, rrtixin- RrnrrEcntatitcs
A Stormy Session

Y. 8 Bsrrvn 81 Brysu. elected speaker of the
Fyrty-fr.t icgislsturs. wilt find the position no sine
cur. R~umhlir-7 from IN parts II the state indicate
the session vii - the stermiest in recent years. with
the state hiEhrs. program proving the principal bone
Of c~cnlerticn. Aro there arc various and sundry leg
isistcrs, stair officials and others who ere al set t.
'mix medicine" fer the 1880 Fubernatorisi and sens-
tcrisl csmfeiEus, AMI others who regard the leSisls-
turr merely a. q stepping stone to offices or positions
CT moro 'molumrnt or honor.
Veteran legislator predict III. session will be re-
plctc with grand Standing a somewhat opprobrious
term spilled 70 those who endcsvor tn occupy the cen
tar Of the stage, advertise their respective abilities and
thereby gain IN, political favor Of the electorate.
'Crand standing" H. expected TO be demonstrated to the
nth degree in connection with the fight on the hign-
way measure BY political luminaries who will assume
the role Of Protectionists for the taxpayers OF the state
There are numerous solons from unprogressive sec
tions who are assured the hearty hsndclasps and back
slsps o. their constituents If they will protest long and
vociferously AGAINST "~ssdding' bond issues upon the
state or expendiHg money for state improvements.
Other bills which consume much time and which are
expected to bring out lengthy debate will be prison
reform. tax reform and the appropriation measures.
Tn, governor has announced that appropriation bills
shmould b. passed during the regular session, which
would indicate the legislature will be obliged to gather
more momentum during the first weeks than has been
customary in the past.
Relative to highway legislation. Il IL generally con-
ceded that > modified form Of the Sterling plan will
hr adopted. The majority Of house and senate mem
hers arc reported to have. expressed. their approval q
. tate bond issue to finance q connected system Of
state highways. Few have indicate they would sup
port a $500, ono00o Issue. proposed by Chairman Ster-
ling # the -tstc highway commission, the majority in
dicsting they would favor an issue Of &200.oooiO0O -
$3.50 1000. However, those members who are sdvo-
eating the psy-as-you-g 20" program, which he's been
discarded in practically all states, can be depended
upon to make a determined fight. Proponents Of the
bond plan assert Il viii he possible to complets the
Highway system ~ q few years; that by establishing
a gasoline tax 10 retire the bonds no additional bur
den all be placed upon real estate, and that the motor
vehicle vfll ,sy the cost Of highway construction. They
also point cut that the value Of tn. completed high
ravs iy a. least treble the interest cost, and that the
sste will receive In sciual development ef resources and
wealth sevsrsl times the cost Of . connected highway
system.
Opponents Of the measure have sscertained that
their constituents are not very enthusiastic in com
rsndinS opposition. The fact that il will add no bur-
den to real estate is an argument that appeals to both
urban and rural sections. The average individual Is
satisfied IL a tax is placed where it belongs, and there
can be no question that the gasoline tax would put the
burden upon motor vehicle owners who would profit.
BY reason OF such highway construction. the tax 70 be
indirect proportion to the individual use Of the high
ways.