Evening star., 1951-11-29
Battle 70 Urge :.
Revisiions in
Byrd Tax Act
Governor Points Out
Need Of FIexibiIity
In Budget Planning
BY the Associated Press

menu released laSG nlgnC, maze
clear he would recommend change
in the law for only one reason
He wants to continue his pro
gram of aid to localities for schoo
construction.
I'm accordance with the plat
form on which I was nominated
and elected and to further assis
the localities in meeting tn,
emergency in school construction
my budget recommendations viii
include SIS million for each yea
of the next biennium for thi
purpose" Gov. Battle said.
At the 1850 session of the Gen.
eral Assembly. $45 million was Sc
aside for special construction
grants.
Byrd FavOrs Revision.
State Senator Harry F. Byrd. jr.
of Winchester said today he woulc
support the Governors propose
to amend the act which HI
sponsored.
II shall support Gov. Battle.
request" Senator Byrd said in 6
statement issued at Winchester
"as the most logical means under
today's conditions of obtaining
subsequent tax reductions.
II hope it will result in a saw
ing to the taxpayers"
The Governor said he felt thai
an additional $50 million "shoulc
enable the localities to meet the
emergency school construction
needs and to provide adequate
school houses for all of the chill
dren in our public schools without
further aid from the Common.
wealth."
Gov. Battle did not call fol
outright repeal of the act. Rather
he suggested revisions which
would enable him to reduce State
income taxes whenever he be-
lieves revenues will permit.
Saved S11 Million.
Virginia income taxpayers, cor
poratIn and individual, were
given tax reductions amounting
to more than $11 million this
year. This was a 20 per cent
cut on their tax bills because
general fund revenues went be-
yond the sos million mark at
the close of the fiscal year last
June 30.
Gov. Battle was asked about de-
tails of how his plan for amend
ing the Byrd act would work.
He said these hadn't been worked
out yet.
In proposing this plan, which
may lead to future tax reductions,
I am not seeking nor do I par
ticularly welcome further indi-
svidual responsibility. I would
welcome any safeguards, or shar-
ing of authority, which the legis-
lature might deem it wise to
provide.
THE broad plan, however, does
have the great advantage of f1exi-
bility which is so necessary in
these uncertain days"
Departs From Custom.
"1 depart from custom to re-
affirm this intention in advance
of the session because I feel the
people of Virginia. and members
of the General Assembly, are en-
titled to such a statement in view
of the extraordinary and continu-
ing need for additional classrooms
and related school facilities" Gov
Battle said.
"These grants, if made by the
General Assembly, together with
those made at the 1850 session
($45 million for the two years.
should enable the localities to
meet the emergency school con-
struction needs and to provide
adequate school houses for all OF
the children in our public schools
without further aid from the Com.
monWealth.
"In carrying out this program
[ shall recommend that the auto
matte Tax Reduction Act of 1856
be amended and re-enacted to vest
In the Governor the authority tt
reduce taxes to the extent that
revenues permit. AS a result Of
the Byrd act, Virginians received
a tax reduction this year in excess
of $11 million.
COncurs in Intent.
''I concur in the intent Of tht
act, which is to return to the tax
payers any revenues in excess o.
necessary expenditures; I shal
continue to insist upon utmoS
efficiency in all our State govern
mental operations in the hop
that the taxpayers may benefi
by economical administration ant
tax reduction.
with the inflated costs in
cident to the vast defense ex
penditures by the Federal Govern
ment. it is necessary to provid
more flexible budget provision
than could have been foreseen a
the time of the enactment of tn
automatic tax reduction bill
Under the present conditions, n
one can accurately forecast bust
ness conditions two and one hal
years in advance; yet the bulge
must be projected that far aheac
and in so doing prudence an
logic demand that we be prepare
to meet the eventualities.
Still Seeks Reduction.
"No effort will be spared througI
careful administration and avoid
Rnce of non-eSSentials to provid
recurring tax reductions, if pric
and economic conditions - owe
which no State government ha
control-will permit"
Gov. Battle isn't the only one t
ask changes in the tax reductio
act. Notable among those callin