The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-01-07
LEGISLATORS IN
MICHIGAN MAP
QUICK SESSION
BY DOUGLAS GRAHAM

United Press Starr Correspondent
Lansing (UP)-Michigan's Legis-
lature win be convened in special
session about Feb. to vote appro-
priations for the fiscal year begin
ming 0une / and to tackle a stream
lined administration program In
GLIDING several postwar measures.
Gov. Harry F. Kelly is slated to
issue his call for the extra session
early in January, at that time list
ing the specific issues on which de-
bate will be confined.
Legislative leaders have expressed
hopes for q brief session, probably
no longer than four weeks, and
many house and senate committees
will begin informal hearings early in
January.
A hospital building program, re-
vision of the states juvenile code,
improvements to state institutions,
consolidation Of departments and
agencies, Qualification Of airline
regulations, veterans rehabilita-
ton, revision of election laws to
permit soldier voting, and controls
on lobbyists are the principal issues
for action.
Preliminary budget hearings al
ready have been completed by the
house ways and means committee
and a rough draft Of 1914 appropri-
atoms needs will be forwarded to
legislators in January. Leaders fore
cast that state appropriations for
the 1944-45 fiscal year will be ap-
proximately $l35, 000, 900, not count
ing what may be laid aside out of
treasury SurpluseS for postwar pro-
jects.
Perhaps the hottest budget fight
will come over school aid. The Leg
stature last winter allotted sat-
100000 for schools during thee cur
rent year and tossed in another
s., 5O0, 900 as a deficiency appro-
priation to meet increases in teacher
salaries. Educators have already
come out this year asking for a flat
$50, o0O, 900, which would been an all
time record.
Definite steps toward framing
postwar projects in highway build
ing, parks expansion, airport devel-
opment, stream pollution control, a
capitol addition, and rehabilitation
Of state institutions also are ex-
pected. The state to date has set
aside $4,000, 900 Of a $4,000, 900 re-
serve fund for postwar work.
Some form Of soldiers bonus also
Is intended to come from this fund,
but administrative leaders thus far
have SHE'D away from any definite
commitments.
Although Governor Kelly h S
succeeded in CLOSING over old fric-
tions between state welfare agents
and county supervisors over control
of welfare aid, including juvenile
assistance, the fight may break into
the open again when the Legisla-
ture tackles revisions In the juven-
lie code.
Continuation Of the states one
man grand Jury investigation Of al
legged legislative for legislators to
hurry through their work and get
out Of Lansing, where the grand
Juror, Circuit Judge Leland w.
Carr, has been applying the heat
Already seven persons have been
indicted on charges OF offering or
taking Of brides. Two are senator's
and two are representatives. In adj
dition, another representative is
serving a 81 -15-year prison SEN
tence for prejury in connection
with the investigation. His sworn
statement has linked still fourth
member of the house as "payoff'
man during the bitter l94l session
fight over a banking bill.
The grand jury sensations have
produced a demand in some quar-
tiers for more rigid control over lob
byists who represent special inter
ests and attempt to influence legis-
lation. Leaders predict, however.
that the house and senate members
gingerly will leave the issue alone,
at least until conclusion OF the spe-
cial investigation.