The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1937-04-08
LEGISLATURE ENDS AFTER
FIGHT OVER BOND ISSUE
Financial Problems Left For
Next Legislature To Figure Out
Relief Revenue Is Doubtful
MANY BILLS ARE PASSED

NEAAN DAALO 6AA&G <AOOGO
Weary legislators ended the
longest session in recent years a
few minutes before noon Tues
day and burst from a Uttered
State House. They left behind
a $72,852, 329.12 biennial budget,
a $5,000,O00 yearly relief pro-
gram, a $9,052, 900 State bond is
sue, legalized bookmaking and
other important newly-enacted
bills.
And, behind them, they left
unsolved two of Maryland's most
pressing fiscal problems:
1. Shall the State continue to
issue bonds for current expen-
SEES?
2. How shall the State bal
ance the general fund budget in
the future?
The bond issue bill actually in
cludes $3,3O0,OOO for current expen-
SEES. Bonds for that amount were au-
thorized to restore to the State Roads
Commission gasoline tax revenue di-
verified for the 1938-1939 biennium to
balance the general fund budget. The
monies will be spent during the two
years.
The general fund budget for the
two-year period beginning next Octo-
Der l was balanced by diversion of
$3,800,000 yearly from highway funds
to general funds. The $3,3O0,00O bond
issue was authorized to restore that
diversion in part.
And, the legislature passed a bill
which would prohibit any future
general fund budget from being
brought into balance by diversion of
road revenues. If Governor Harry w.
Nice signs that bill it becomes law.
And if it is law, the 1889 legisla-
ture will have these alternatives:
1. Repeal the law and continue
to balance the general fund bud
get by diversions.
2. Enact new taxes to balance
the general fund budget.
8: Cut the general fund budget
to a point where it will fit actual
general fund revenues.
Plans for an adjournment during
the early hours Tuesday ran afoul of a
House-Senate disagreement over pro-
visions in the State bond bill. A confer
ence committee was named to iron out
the trouble and the committee DELHI
erations held the Senate in session I'M
til 11:46 a. m. and the House until
11:55 a. m.
The conference cut approximately
100000 from the total as set by the
House. The only House items the Sem
ate allowed were 100000 for Morgan
college, Negro institution, and $780,
900 for construction of an armory at
Denton.
By meeting until almost noon, the
legislature lasted longer on the day
following the ninetieth day than any
session since at least 1918.
When sine die adjournment finally
was reached, each house had been. in
virtually continuous session for al
most twenty-four hours.
Another question left behind by the
departing legislators was:
Will the relief taxation sched-
ule raise the $5,0O0,OOO estimat-
ed?
Senator Allan Coad and Delegate
Kent Mullikin, chairmen of the two
fiscal committees, contended it would
do so. Some legislators from Baltimore
city contended it would not do so, and
furthermore contended that even $5,-
100000 would not give Baltimore City
a share sufficient to meet her needs.
Provides for Federal Grants
The bill, as finally amended, cares
for any future appropriation Congress
may make to states for direct relief
now known as general public assist
ance. Congress now grants no such
funds.
Now that the legislature is over,
Governor Nice will begin his study of
all the bills. He is expected to sign or
veto them within six weeks.