The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-01-17
STATE TAXES TO BE REDUCED
sS,4se,ooo IN TWO YEARS

S5,486, 900 IN TWO YEARS
In his budget message to the Leg
islature at Annapolis, Governor Her.
bert r. O'Conor FURNISHED pleasant
surprise to the taxpayers of the State
in the form of reduction In the
State tax on Real Estate, Of 5A %
in 1912, and of 1870 in 1943, for a
total dollar savings for the two
years Of $936,100.O0.
Coupled with his expected an
nouncement regarding proposed re-
auctions in the Income Tax Levy,
ranging up to 20% in some CLASH
fications, and because 1t will apply
to the calendar year 1910 as well)
totaling $4,500,O06 savings for the
three fiscal years, the lowering of the
State real estate tax will mean COM
bined saving of $5,436,100.00 to the
people of Maryland.
In addition, to the reduction in
taxes, Governor O'Conor noted with
deep satisfaction that las result
OF the fiscal policies now in effect,
the States public debt will be reduc-
ed by the end of this administration
from an initial total Of $4S,157,-
10000 to $33,865,000.00, repre-
senting a reduction of 30%". Such a
reduction is unprecedented in any
four year period.
Noting the probable additional
burdens to be laid upon the people
of the State in connection with Ma
tional Defense preparedness, the
Chief Executive pointed out that the
States burden of this taxation Twill
be relieved to the extent that the
State Government is now able to re-
duce the taxes for the support of its
various operations.
In announcing an increase OF
S779,943.O0 in the General Funds
Budget for 1912, the Governor point
ed out that requested appropriations
for this year had been cut 1885,
829.89. Likewise, the requests for
1913 from General Funds were cut
$1,915,1O2.69, making total Of re-
quests refused Of $3,8O1,932.58.
"Due to the uncertainty of world
conditions" the Governor declared,
s'the future at the moment is not
clear, and feel the only safe course
to follow with respect to State rev.
enues should be on the conservative
side"
It was pointed out that of the
General Fund increase of $779,943.-
90 for 1912, necessary appropria-
lions to public schools, State owned
and State aided hospitals and insti-
buttons total $604,515, which amount
Is equivalent to approximately ITO
of the increase. The Governor fur
Their pointed out that approximately
Sl.OO out of every $500 of General
Funds collected is provided for pub
lie schools.
An all time high in roads construc-
ton seems indicated. Heading the
list of appropriations from Special
Funds is the ALLEGATION to the State
Roads Commission of $16,0S5,947,-
16 for 1912 and $16,5S5,04S.OS for
1913, total for the two years of
$50, $40, 996.24, dedicated to the con-
struction and maintenance of the
State Highways.
Among the new items included in
the budget by the Governor was an
appropriation of $1.500,000.00 for
the construction of two proposed new
Chronic Disease Hospitals, one on
the Eastern Shore and one on the
Western Shore. Provision was made
also for the necessary increases in
the budget for the State Employees
Retirement System to establish an
employees Contributory System on
an actuarial Basis.
81 have kept constantly in mind
the necessity eof operating the var
ious agencies of the State Govern
ment with Q minimum Of cost to the
knxpayers", declared the Governor
IN conclusion. while very few in
creases other than those required by
law have been allowed, / am con-
WINGED that the various State Agen-
cies viii be able to operate with
elaciency, and to discharge their OBJ
ligations under their various laws.
ssMany of the requests refused can
undoubtedly be justified, "but ! re-
GARD them as not essential in this
time of crisis and not comparable to
me Necessity of our maintaining Sc
curity of our Governmental and So
.iai order"
The cost Of living is going up, and
goon we won't be able to AFFORD