Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-27
NEW GAS TAX PLAN
BEFORE ASSEMBLY
Still Another Basis for Dis
tribution Presented by
Delegate Bryant.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
RICHMOND, Va, January 27-Still
another basis for distribution of the
counties share of the State gasoline
tax viii be offered the Virginia General
Assembly today when Delegate L. A.
Bryant Of Pitsylvania County will in
troduce a bill distributing the y -cent
share one-third by area and two-thirds
by the last Federal census. On this
basis, Delegate Bryant said yesterday,
so counties gain over their present fig
ure, remain approximately the same
and "a lose.
The plan recommended by the Holt
Commission, one-third on the present
basis Of the 1925 State realty tax paid
and the other two-thirdS on comb1-
nation basis of area and all taxes paid,
would result in 63 counties gaining and
81 suffering.
Altman CO-patron.
On the Bryant bill as co-patron is
Delegate j. B. Altman of Franklin
County. The sponsors of the bill say
that the elimination of the tax element
would wipe out any chance OF counties
raising assessments to get more OF the
$1,000 900 estimated as the counties
share of the gasoline money. .
Under the Holt Commission plan all
the more prosperous counties save Nor
folk County were slated to take loss
over the present receipts. Norfolk
County would gain StAll more under the
present plan, ju1npFhy from the sol 200
last wear to approximately S124 900, but
for a provision of the bill stating that
no county shall receive over $1OOOOO
and that all surplus shall go to equaliz-
ing shares received by poorer counties
Tlrrya hill
Counties with suburban territory that
are likely to lose area by annexation
will be protected. Delegate Bryant SAID.
In computing population by counties
provision is made, where city OF
100 600 or more that is located in two
counties, to credit half the city popu-
lation to each county. Cities OF 10000
to $4,000 are provided for similarly and
in other cities and towns the whole
population win be credited to the county
wherein 1t is located.
Under the bill, Delegate Bryan said,
no county will receive during the first
year of operation, 1881, less than IS
per cent of the present ALLEGATION. In
the event that any county falls below
the minimum set. the deficit shall be
paid out of the motor vehicle tax fund,
1t was explained.
Must Employ Engineer.
The bill further provides that counties
receiving $50, 900 or more under this
plan must employ a county road en-
gineer.
Counties receiving from $4,000 to
$50 900 shall employ road foreman,
under the bill, which provides also that
where there are two counties receiving
an aggregate of from $4,000 to $50, 1000
they may employ jointly g foreman or
engineer, to be compensated by the
counties on a proportionate basis. En-
gineers or foremen shall be employed
by the boards of supervisors affected.
A general advisory engineer also would
be provided in the highway depart
ment to advise and cooperate with
county authorities in road construction
and maintenance.
Delegate Bryant's estimates Of rev.
enue were made. he said, on the basis
Of figures from the State controllers
ONCE.
The gas tax distribution plan and the
liberal Arts College for Women pro-
posal are expected to be the chief
points of contention In the General
Assembly during the next two weeks, it
was indicated yesterday.