Evening star., 1947-11-04
so Confront
Special Session
Annapolis
Baltimore Taxes Lead
Agendo at Opening of
Legislature Tomorrow
BY the Associoied Press

ANNAPOLIS, Nov. 4.-Legislators
will have to dispose of about go bills
during the special session of the
General Assembly convening at 2
pm. tomorrow and many members
expressed doubt the agenda could be
cleared by Friday, the day tentative
ly set for adjournment.
Such controversial matters as the
sales tax, the legality of allowing the
Board of Public Works to reduce
taxes, and whether some of the
larger counties should or could be
given special taxing privileges along
with Baltimore City are sure to
bring about floor debate.
Some legislators forecast the ses-
sion would not adjourn sine die until
some time next week.
Called on Baltimore Issue.
The purpose of the session is to
give Baltimore City special taxing
powers so that it may raise the ad-
ditional $7000,O00 needed to balance
its budget. The city's present pow
ers to levy special taxes expire at the
end of the year.
A seven-point administration pro-
gram of legislation, however, will be
recommended to the legislators to-
morrow by Gov. Lane. The Legis-
lative Council approved the admin
istration program at its final pre-
session meeting yesterday in Balti-
more.
Administration bills include those:
To increase the present sales tax
exemption base from its present 8
cents, to IA cents.
Increase for Hospitals Sought.
Increase the States allotment to
private hospitals for care of in
digents.
Supply $125,OOO for airport con-
struction.
Increase public welfare funds.
Amend the State Roads Bond Is
sue Act to allow the Roads Com
mission greater latitude in the type
of highways it can build with the
money from the bonds.
And to revise the Construction
Loan Act to permit funds author
lied under 1t to be used in accord
ance with revised plans.
Many of the other bills-both
statewide and local-which have
been approved by the legislative
council, also will be introduced with
administration approval.
Tax Cut Bill Questioned.
A companion measure to the sales
tax bill, which would give the Board
of Public Works authority to reduce
real estate, income and sales taxes,
drew many questions at the council
meeting yesterday as to its legality.
The bill would provide that If on
June 30, 1948, the State General
Fund surplus exceeds a $4,000. 900
safety working Margin" the board
could reduce real estate or income
taxes or raise the sales tax exemp-
ton level
The measure to raise the sales tax
exemption to IA cents contains
clauses to redefine retail sales to
cover any quantity of sales and to
exempt food only if it is to be con-
sumed in the home of residence
instead of "off premises"
Caucuses Set Tomorrow.
The Council also approved a pro-
posal for a 15-man committee which
would draft plans for new $4,000
600 legislative Office building in
Annapolis and study the question of
restoring the State House to its
original lines.
Both parties will caucus tomorrow
before the Legislature convenes.
The first General Assembly busi-
ness will be to elect new officers and
adopt rules, but this will be a mere
formality, as the officers chosen for
the regular 1947 session are sure to
retain their posts.
The State Senate President is
Joseph r. Byrnes, Democrat, of
Baltimore and Ferdinand Sybert,
Democrat, of Howard is Speaker of
the House of Delegates.