Evening star., 1949-09-11
Tuck k'sBudget
Faces Heavy
Funds Demand
| Early Requests
| Sufficient to
Absorb Surplus
By the Assocjotsd Press

By the Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va, Sept. 10
Gov. Tuck's biennial budget-mak-
ing expedition sailed forth this
week, bravely flying the banner Of
prudence, economy and re-
and ran into a heavy
barrage of rising demands on the
State treasury.
AS the Governor and his fiscal
advisers paused for the week end,
an informal stock-taking today
showed they already faced official
requests for $24.000.000 in in
creased appropriations from the
general fund. And their tour had
barely begun.
The $4,000, 900 more than
enough to absorb the anticipated
s21 900 900 surplus as Of next June
operating and capi-
tai outlay increases proposed BY
13 institutions visited by the
budget planners in four-day tour
in Eastern Virginia. Most Of the
States institutions. departments
and agencies are yet to be heard
from.
Big Increases Sought.
For recurring expenditures alone.
during the two years, beginning
July 1, 1850, general fund in
creases of some $4.320,0o0 were
sought by II institutions. Two
others were content to propose
modest decreases, leaving the
total net increases at about
81, ,0o0. 600
All but two had new capital out.
lay plans adding up to almost $2o.-
000, 900. Here, however, it was
obvious in a few cases that the
applicants didn't really expect to
get all they asked for, but were
filing longer-range plans for the
record. Notably, Petersburg State
Colony (for Negro feeble-minded
children) which totted up bill OF
some 100000 for rebuilding as
its new location.
The first big wave Of general
fund demands caused little sur
prise among the budget makers.
most of whom are veterans OF
similar encounters in past years.
It did cause them some concern, .
realization they had a tough JOB
of budget-balancing ahead. some
wonderings about state policy and
STRINGS of thought about adh-
tional moves toward governmental
reorganization and economy.
Pledges Recalled.
AS background, they had to keep
in mind that governor-apparent
John S. Battle is pledged to .
program that contemplates no new
or added taxes, plus heavy In.
creases in general fund expend1-
lures. The latter include $30.0oo,-
600 next year to help localities
build schools, $15,000.000 a year
for the same purpose thereafter.
better pay for teachers, higher re-
tirement benefits, more money Tor
health, welfare, agriculture ana
other services.
Mr.. Battle figures he can ball
ance his plan by rigid economy.
If the current level Of general
fund revenues holds up. His main
source of sustenance would be
the $21 ,000.000 annually he sees
as the difference between the cur.
rent general fund rates Of $780,
000, 900 a year intake and $69,.
900 900 a year outgo.
(Barring any miraculous up
set in the November general
elections, MIR. Battle will sue
ceed Mr.. Tuck as Governor
next January Is, a week after
the 1850 General Assembly
convenes. BY that time the
budget recommendations now
being prepared will have been
submitted to the legislators by
Gov. Tuck, who, as outgoing
Governor, is technically re-
sponsible for the budget prep
arations. Gov. Tuck's final
fiscal plan undoubtedly will be
shaped to allow for Mr.. Bat
ties program. Mr.. Battle Is
making the present budget tour
as an observer
Having the Battle program in
mind. the budget makers also had
to consider the additional re-
quests that began last week-re-
quests presented earnestly and
with documented reasoning by the
institutions officials.
Fund Requests Listed.
In the order received, the in
stitutions, amount and percent
age of general fund operating in
crease sought. were:
Virginia Manual Labor School
for Colored Boys, Hanover. STA
665 and "a per cent; Virginia In
dustrial School for Colored Girls,
Peaks, $40, 900 and IS per cent;
Central State Hospital, Peters,
burg, $1.727.125 and so per cent;
Petersburg State Colony. $46, ,239
and 16 per cent; Southampton
State Penitentiary Farm, $183. 1893
and so per cent; Eastern State
Hospital, $1,o63,766 and 81 per
cent.
Also College of William and
Mary, $551,730 and so per cent;
Mary Washington College. $685.
100, nearly 10 per cent; Virginia
Industrial School for Boys, Beau
mont, $39,105 and II per cent:
To- {nT