Evening star., 1950-02-01
Assembly toGet
Test New Rules
Proposed Changes
In Procedure Due
To Draw Heavy Fire
By the Assoeioted Press

~ H'o NseCSf0ieu FFeSS
ANNAPOLIS, Md, Feb. l.
Maryland is trying out new leg
islative system today-with money
and politics likely to be the main
subjects for the next 80 days
General Assembly will first hear
Gov. Lane submit his budget for
the fiscal year 1851, which begins
July l. It is virtually certain to
set new record-just as the
$137, 900, 900 budget for 1850 broke
a record.
There is certain to be politics
around-this is an election year
and the first time the General
Assembly has met in a regular
session under election-year condi-
tions. The 1850 meeting is only
for 80 days. Sessions in odd-num-
bered years are for 90 days
The Governor was scheduled to
appear before the House and Sen
ate late in the afternoon and
explain the expenses proposed in
his budget. There have been pre-
dietions that the budget will
amount to 100000, 900 or better.
May Ask Tax Cuts.
Gov. Lane also has said recently
that he intends to ask for tax cuts
by changing the exemptions for
dependents In the income tax law
and by making a reduction in the
State property tax rate.
The Democrats and Republicans
called late morning caucuses to
get their strategies set for the
noon opening.
Senator Byrnes of Baltimore was
almost certain to be renamed
President of the Senate and Dele
gate Sybert, Democrat, of Howard
County was expected to be selected
once again as Speaker of the
House.
The Republicans seemed set to
give vote Of confidence to their
leaders-Senator Kimble, Republi-
can, of Allegany County and Dele
gate Ramsburg. Republican. of
Frederick County.
There was talk that expected
floor battles on proposed new
procedure may be postponed until
after the Governor gives his
address.
Power Is Questioned.
The Legislative Council-in-
terim committee of the Legisla-
ture-drew up the proposed new
rules. They contain some radical
departures from those of other
years. For example. the Rules
Committee would screen all bills
Except the budget) during a 30
day session. =
Opponents contend this would
give the administration-desig-
mated group too much power.
Those in favor argue that it
would hold down introduction of
bills which would not meet the
constitutional test of what NAV
be considered at special session.
The constitution was amended
Two years ago to provide for this
first and succeeding 30-day ses-
slons during even years. The 90
day General Assembly sessions
will continue to be held in odd
years.
The change was made so that
the States fiscal affairs could be
placed on a yearly, instead of
biennial. basis.
The amendment provided that
only matters dealing with money.
acute emergencies and the gen.
eral public welfare could be taken
up at short sessions.
49,. Definition Needed.
Just what constitutes an acute !
emergency" and what would be
considered as dealing with the
general public welfare" is still a
question.
The Attorney Generals Office
issued an opinion last summer on
the question, but 1t was in broad
language.
The legislative council has pre-
pared "a bills for introduction.
Most of them may go in today.
Among other things, the coun-
ell measures would:
Require semi-annual inspections
Of all motor vehicles; tighten the
lobbying laws. and revise the
child-work statutes to bring them
into conformity with Federal laws.
Individual members are work.
ing on highly controversial bills
for introduction during the ses-
sion.
For example, Senator Phoebus,
Republican, Of Somerset. says ne
will ask for a $100,000,000 bond
issue to pay bonuses to veterans
of World War II. A similar bill
failed in 1949.
Old familiar subjects such as
oysters, the States method of
deciding property valuations for
assessment purposes. the makeup
of state boards, and strip mining
in Western Maryland will be well
talked over once again during this
session.
HyattsviIIe- University Park
A. HIlI