Evening star., 1952-02-19
Assembly Gets
Virginia Budget
Of S697 Million
Record-Breoking Sum
Obtoins Approval
Of House Committee
By Alex R. Preston
Stnr S+off corrasnond.,,


Sfor Stoff Correspondent
RICHMOND, Va, Feb. 19.-Vir-
ginia's record-breaking budget
bill, now grown to the neighbor-
hood of $697 million, was back be-
fore the General Assembly today
after favorable action by the
House Appropriations Committee
Committee Chairman r. H
Adams said the budget was ap-
proved late yesterday.
The budget, covering the next
two fiscal years, will appear on
the House calendar tomorrow and
will be set for special and con-
tinuing order until disposed of by
the lower branch, probably later
this week.
Byrd Law Enforces Limits.
Principal reason that budget
makers are held within strict
bounds is the Byrd automatic in
come tax reduction law which
returns all excess General Fund
revenues over expenditures of the
taxpayers if the excess amounts
to S per cent or more over the fol-
lowing years anticipated revenues.
Yesterday saw new legislation
representing three attempts to get
around restrictions imposed by the
law, sponsored by Senator Harry
F. Byrd. jr., Of Winchester.
One bill, by Delegates ]. May
nard Magruder and George Damn
of Arlington, would delay the op-
GRAFTON Of the Byrd law until after
appropriations for mental hos
pitals and tuberculosis facilities
had been met. Their bill says that
Notwithstanding provisions Of the
Byrd law, an appropriation of ST.
10000 shall be made the first
year and $2,215.000 the second
year for mental and tuberculosis
hospitals.
Lynch Proposes Bill.
This year, for instance, the bill
would have the effect of reouir-
ing $106.750, 0,000-instead of $105
million-before the reductions
would take effect.
A second bill by Delegate Ed
win Lynch does not touch the
Byrd law at the State level but
would permit localities badly in
need Of schools to accept the tax
reductions that otherwise might
go back to the taxpayers.
The Lynch bill would give this
privilege to counties where school
enrolment has increased by 10
per cent within any one year.
A third plan by Delegate Bald
win Locher would require the
Governor to include in his budget
an unallocated appropriation
equal to 4 per cent Of the total
General Fund recommendations.
Redistricting Bill Next.
After the budget is disposed of
the House will take up the con-
gressional redistricting bill of
Senator Charles r. Fenwick of
Arlington which alreday has
passed the upper branch and now
Is In the House Privileges and
Elections Committee. This bill
places a new 10th District in
Washington's Metropolitan Area.
A new redistricting proposal
also giving the 10th to Arlington,
Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls
Church-was introduced with Sd
District-backing yesterday by Dele
gate E. T. De Jarnett of Hanover.
The Fenwick bill would place
Hanover County in the proposed
new 9th while the De Jarnett bill
keeps Hanover In the Sd.
The De Jarnette bill shows less
Of a population disparity between
districts than does the Fenwick
plan.
Another major development yes
terday was House action killing
legislation designed to decontrol
rents in three critical defense
areas set by the Federal Govern
ment.
Reintroduced by Boatwright.
But in an almost unprecedented
move, the chief patron, Delegate
John B. Boatwright of Bucking-
ham, reintroduced an identical
bill. This brought immediate
speculation as to whether the
House again could consider the
identical matter at the same ses-
sion.
Among new bills introduced was
one by Delegate Armistead Boothe
of Alexandria and Mr.. Magruder
and Mr.. Damn, calling for an
advisory referendum in November
on repeating the poll tax. It
would be held for the guidance Of
the next General Assembly. Sev-
eral poll tax repeal measures now
are held in committee.
Delegate Lynch offered a bill
requiring a preferential presiden-
tial primary when two or more
candidates are entered by polit-
ical party. This also would be
only for the purpose Of determin-
ing sentiment.
Enirfnx Rond kAeafinn