Evening star., 1947-07-13
States Spend
AtFast Clip
Trend Toward Higher
Taxes Also Noted
In Survey

ACSOAA 4oW. PAokN Ae~SAoAAS esAAA
budgets of State governments across
the country add up to eight billion
dollars, an increase Of approx
mately two billions.
Financial plans-for the next two
fiscal years in the majority Of the
States-are pegged to generally in
creased costs. Among the reasons
for the bigger outlays are heavier
governmental housekeeping ex-
penses, greater aid to schools, ex-
pansion and improvement of
crowded colleges, pay raises, repair
and construction of hospitals and
other public buildings.
An Associated Press survey at the
end of the long legislative season
also showed strong trends to higher
taxes, better teachers salaries,
stiffened labor laws and safe
guards against sports bribery.
At the same time, the proposed
constitutional amendment to limit
the United States presidency to two
terms was ratified by half of the re-
quired 36 States.
Taxes were hiked in at least half
of the States. A cigarette tax was
adopted for the first time in seven
States, a sales tax in four and
punchboard tax in two.
Taxes Boosted
A dozen different types of taxes
and fees were boosted. Most COM
mon were increases-in this order
in taxes on liquor and beer, cigar
cites, gasoline, corporation and per-
sonal income.
Tax-saving community property
laws were enacted this year in Ore
gon, Nebraska, Michigan and Penn
sylvania. They already were IN
effect in Texas. Arizona, New Mexi-
CO, Nevada, California, Louisiana,
Idaho. Washington and Oklahoma.
Such statutes permit husband
and wife to file two Federal income
tax returns, each reporting half of
the family income. Thus, they get
into lower brackets, and enjoy the
benefits of lower surtax rates.
Thirty three states took direct or
indirect action that could result in
more money for teachers. There
was no uniformity IN method.
In a number of cases, the Legis-
latures earmarked more funds for
counties or towns for educational
purposes, with the idea that part of
the increase would go into pay
envelopes of school personnel. In
II States where figures were fairly
definite, the raises averaged $446
a year.
Plans for paying a bonus to vet
Grams of World War II cleared the
Legislatures in nine States this
year. The program was adopted out
right in Connecticut.
Labor Field Busy
The bonus proposition will be
submitted to voters in 1947 referenda
in New York and Ohio, and in 1948
referenda in, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Indiana, Iowa and Mime
sofa. In Pennsylvania, the ques-
ton must be put before the legisla-
tors again in 1949 and before the
public. in q subsequent vote.
Vermont, New Hampshire, Massa-
chusetts, Rhode Island, Illinois and
Michigan approved bonuses last
year or earlier, involving q total of
1855 100000. Pending plans, If ac-
cepted, would add at least 81 AGO.
000, 900, and would raise the overall
disbursement to s2,255, 100000.
The labor field was one Of the
busiest areas of activity.
Legislation to ban the closed shop
was approved by lawmakers in Vir-
ginia, Tennessee, Georgia, New Mex
leo, North Dakota, North Carolina,
Texas, Iowa and Maine, although in
some States the action still must be
affirmed in referenda.
New Hampshire also barred the
closed shop unless workers indorse
it by a two-thirds vote. Delaware
provided that an employer may re-
fuse to grant closed shop.
The closed shop had been prohib-
tied previously in Florida, Arkansas,
Nebraska, South Dakota and Ari-
zona. The statutes usually stipulate
that no one can be denied a job be-
cause he is or is not member of
union. They apply to intrastate in
dustry.
Antistrike Steps
New York, Nebraska, Ohio and
Pennsylvania outlawed strikes by
government employees.
Nine States took steps designed
| to prevent strikes or lockouts in
public utilities. Compulsory arbi-
tration of such disputes was re-
quired in Florida, Indiana, Michi-
gan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania,
and new court of industrial rela-
tions was set up to handle such
cases in Nebraska.
Virginia, Massachusetts, and Mis-
souri, gave their Governors power to
seize utility plants If workers and
management break of negotiations.
Under the Florida and Missouri
laws, unions and employers could be
fined up to $4,000 a day for strikes
or lockouts.
Minnesota and Michigan made
arbitration mandatory in contro-
versies threatening the functions of
hospitals.
Most numerous other measures
were aimed at halting or restricting
secondary boycotts, picketing and
jurisdictional strikes.
Bribery Laws
I'M = L