Evening star., 1950-01-29
First Even Year
Session 10 Open
In Annapolis
Fiscal Matters Top
Aeendo Of Assembly
Meeting Wednesday
By J. B. Zotmon
Stcr Stuff Corresnondena

matters overshadowing all other
issues.
The 30-day meeting is being
held under terms of a constitu-
tional amendment approved by
the voters two years ago.
The amendment provides fol-
annual instead of biennial ses-
sions of the General Assembly
Legislation in even-numbered
years is supposed to deal only with
the State budget. taxes, emer-
gencies and the general public
welfare.
Despite these limitations, legis-
lators from nearby areas have
drafted nearly a score of bills,
many of which are purely local
in nature.
Referendum Law Repeal.
A proposed Montgomery Coun-
ty measure, for example, would
repeal a law requiring a referen-
dunn on any bond issue exceeding
"a of l per cent of the county's
bonded Indebtedness.
Five Prince Georges County
proposals involve the towns of
Hyattsville, Edmonston and Bowie
And Calvert County Senator Louis
L. Goldstein, Democrat, is pre-
pared to introduce two bills, one
of which would exempt his county
from the so-called continuous as
sessment plan. "a
Under the present system, each
county is; divided into five dis
tricts. and property in one of the
five is assessed each year. SEN
ator Goldstein wants the entire
county reasSessed once each five
years.
In addition, the Legislative
Council has whipped up "a bills,
including one to restore safety
inspections In private garages for
all automobiles. The measure
envisions replacement of such a
system by May 81, 1851, by inspec-
tions at State owned and operated
stationss
Heading the agenda, however,
are the adoption Of State budget
for the coming fiscal year and
proposal by GOV. Lane for a So
100000 cut in incomes and prop
erty taxes.
More Money Asked. &
Although MARYLAND is operating
under a.. record breaking $685.
100000 budget. StRAe departments
and agencies havArequested about
IL per cent more money for next
year than they are getting now.
Such increases, if approved,
would bring 1s5o-51 appropria-
tions to $148, 1887, ,060. "a.
In his tax reduction proposals,
the Governor will urge that the
property tax rate be dropped to 6
cents per 500. Such a cut would
amount to about $2,500 900. The
1850 property tax rate is 1899
cents per $100.
Gov. Lane also will ask the Gen.
eral Assembly to reduce income
taxes by increasing exemptions
for descendants from $400 to $500,
doubling the personal exemptions
of those over IS and extending the
use Of the short-form return to
those with less than $500 in in
vestment income. The latter
change would cut the levy on in
vestment income of less than $500
from s to q per cent.
The Montgomery County bond
referendum bill. one of nine to be
introduced by the county's all
Republican delegation, will be the
subject of a public hearing before
the legislators at 8 pm. tomorrow
in the, Rockville Courthouse.
Other Montgomery Measures.
1t also provides that the bonded
Indebtedness of the Washington
Suburban Sanitary Commission,
the Maryland-National Capital
Park and Planning Commission
and special taxing areas in the
county would be excluded in COM
putting the county's total bond
debt.
Other Montgomery measures
would:
/. Amend the State constitution
to give all counties full condemna-
tion powers in rights-of-way dis
putes. This would enable any
county to take over any land
needed in a road project without
waiting for a court to fix the
valuation involved.
2. Require all physicians to re-
port cerebral palsy cases to the
State Health Department.
8. Require Boards of Education
to set up schools for handicapped
children on petition of seven
parents,
4. Provide for reciprocal agree
ments. between counties for the
education of handicapped chill
dren.
S. Increase State aid from $40o
to $500 for each handicapped
child.
6. Prohibit the discharge of fire.
arms in xcongested areas in any
county in the State.
. Z. Fix the salary of the Kens-
tngton mayor at $125 a year and
s5 per meeting for each council
man. }
8. Increase the Montgomery
grand jury panel from 48 to 80
persons.
Prince Georges Bills.
The five Prince Georges bills
would:
/. Empower the Hyattsville
mayor and council to acquire
property for public parking by
purchase, lease Or condemnation.
Mayor Caesar L. Aiello said the
city needs space for about 200
cars. He said the city would issue