Evening star., 1953-05-06
Liquor Tax Rise
TO Be Vetoed
ByMcKe|din
Bill Would Ruise
Base From $1.25
To $3.50 q Gallon
By Gene Goodwin
Sfor Sfnff Corraspondanf


BALTIMORE, May 6.-Gov.
McKeldin said today he intends
to veto a bill approved by the
1853 Maryland General Assem-
bly, which would have increased
the State liquor tax from SIPS
to $3.50 per gallon, with so cents
of the new levy reverting to Bal
timore City and the counties.
The measure means a loss of
about $500,000 a year to the
State, because most of the locali-
ties now derive no revenue from
the State liquor tax.
This loss in State funds was
seen as the reason behind the
Governors intended veto.
He also said he will veto a
controversial measure which
would have authorized pari-
mutuel dog racing in St. Marys
County, subject to a referendum.
Maryland now allows wagering
at the track on horse races, but
on no other sporting event.
To Veto Assessment Bill.
Last night the Governor pro-
missed a veto on a bill which
would have allowed counties and
Baltimore City to place their
new assessment on the tax books
annually under the new three
year cycle of reassessment going
into effect next January.
Annual addition Of new as
seSsndentS to the Montgomery
County tax base had been termed
essential to continued construc-
ton of new schools and other
capital improvements.
Death of the bill would retain
the present new aSsessable base
in the county until 1857.
The measure could be intro
duced again at next years short
session of the General Assembly,
Termed Faulty Legally.
The assessments bill had been
termed faulty legally because the
House and Senate passed differ
ent versions during the last Ses-
sion.
Under existing law, all reas-
SesSments remain frozen until
each county is reassessed in its
entirety every three years.
Montgomery County is forbid
den by law to issue bonds for
more than 10 per cent of its
assessable base. The county this
year approached this limit.
The county now has a bonded
Indebtedness of $44.4 million.
Under the bond limitation law
the county could issue only
about $40 million more under
the new assessment base.
So Million Urged.
The proposed county budget
calls for more than SO million
to be issued during the next
fiscal year.
The Governor announced his
intended vetoes as he put his
signature to 20 of the 78 As
sembly acts. He has until Friday
to make up his mind on the
remainder.
After the bill-signing session
Gov. McKeldin scheduled another
session this afternoon at which
the vetoes are expected to be
handed down.
Among the 20 bills signed to-
day was the measure concerning
the Maryland National Capital
Park and Planning Commission
Signed With Reluctance.
Gov. McKeldin said he signed
this bill with a great deal o1
reluctance" He said his CHIEF
objection to it was a provision
that the Governor would appoint
the six commission members
upon recommendation of the Re-
publican and Democratic State
Central Committees of Mont
gomery and Prince Georges
Counties.
The bill also transfers the
commissions recreation program
to the Montgomery County
Council. and transfers building
inspection and Zoning-inforce-
ment functions to the Prince
Georges County commissioners
1t further provides a decrease ir
the commission administrative
tax from 4 to 3 cents and auto.
matte tax reduction in the fu-
ture.
Another measure signed is the
one giving Baltimore City, Ale
gany- County and Hagerstowr
the right to enact rent-control
legislation when Federal con-
trolls expire.
The Governor also signed a
bill increasing State aid to
county libraries from Q to IL
cents per capita.
Gov. McKeldin said he Is suill
undecided about a disputed bill
which would establish a liquor
tax patrol aimed at preventing
illegal imports of whisky from
the District of Columbia.
IT don't like it," the Governor
said, "but I'm not certain yet
whether I'll veto it,"