Evening star., 1950-02-07
Two TaxCut Bills
Go TO Senate
Annapolis
Both Pass House
Unanimously; New
Gag Rule Fight Due
Speeiol Dispatch 10 The Sior


ANNAPOLIS, Feb. THE
Maryland Senate prepared today
for swift action on two bills which
would save the States income tax
payers more than $1,00o.000.
Both were approved unanimous
ly by delegates last night as the
House braced itself for new fight
today on a controversial gag rule.
Also expected during the day
is a Republican attack on Gov.
Lanes $143,o66,025 budget which
was taken up yesterday by the
Senate Finance Committee.
The two tax bills approved by
the House raise exemptions for
dependents from $400 to $500 and
double the $1,000 personal exemp-
tion of those over 65. The first
would drop the States revenue by
1888, 900 and the second would
leave an extra $4,000 in taxpay-
ers' pockets. They were among
the first seven bills to clear the
House floor at the current 30-day
session.
Senate Passes 8 Bills.
The Senate passed three bills.
One would appropriate 100000 a
year for treatment of alcoholics
at clinics in various sections Of
the State. The others were of a
local or minor nature.
A new fight on the gag rule was
assured when Delegates Burlington
and Tawney, dissident Democrats
from Baltimore's Sd district, pre-
sented a written demand that the
rule be repealed.
The rule requires that all bills
be sent to the Rules Committee for
screening" Heretofore measures
have been referred directly to
standing committees.
Speaker Sybert told Delegates
Burlington and Tawney that new
vote would be ordered today. The
Baltimore lawmakers have been
fighting the proposal since it
squeezed through the House on
opening day last Wednesday by
a one-vote margin.
Budget Faces Attack.
A joint COP House Senate
caucus today is expected to pro-
duce a mild attack on the Gov
ernor's budget. The Republicans
simply haven't been able to digest
enough facts and figures from the
voluminous document to be saw
age.
How" said Montgomery Coun-
ty State Senator Roy Tasco Davis.
pointing at the 3l7-page volume,
could any one get anywhere with
that in the short time we've had
to study it.
COP leaders predicted, however,
that the party will try for a more
liberal version Of the Governors
plan to cut the tax rate on un-
earned income.
At a Finance Committee hear
ing yesterday spokesman of both
parties asserted that Gov. Lanes
budget can be trimmed at least
That amount was pro-
posed by Delegate Bandiere, DEM
ocrat, of Baltimore.
Senator Carter, Democrat, Of
Baltimore, and Minority Senate
Leader Kimble said there could
be immediate elimination of a
100000 "overcharge" which
showed up when a State depart
ment returned under money to
the State treasury.
But despite the announced pur-
pose of the committee meeting
to cut the budget-the Senators
found themselves talking about
it.
Hospital Funds Debated.
They were inquiring into the
Governors proposal revamping
the method under which funds
are allotted to hospitals. The
new plan gives some hospitals
more than last year and some
less, according to their costs of
treating INDECENT patients.
Senator Carter wanted the hos
pitals to get more. 1--WE build
roads and bridges" he said, "but
we can't take care of the sick"
Under bill introduced yester-
day. the Legislature would reserve
for itself full control over the
use of the Severn River Bridge
at Annapolis. The measure was
sponsored by Senator Stronger.
Democrat, Anne Arundel.
The bill is seen as a move to
block transfer of the span to the
Naval Academy and closing of the
bridge to the public after the new
Severn River crossing, further
north, is opened.
Senator James B. Monroe, Re-
publican, of Charles, introduced
a bill to set up a county board of
electrical examiners. The board
would license electricians and is
sue installation permits.
A bill sponsored by Senator
Della of Baltimore would give the
State Health Department an an
nual appropriation of at least
100000 for the study of "smog'
or air pollution. About one-half
OF the amount would be used by
the Baltimore City Health De-
partment.