Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-20
Senate Action Slated
In Maryland Monday
On Delayed Tax. Cut
By ChorIes [. Hoffmon
Stur Stcff CorTesrondant

Oy MINUTES L. IIOttWOH
Siur Stuff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 20.-Senate
action on the State income tax
cut is slated for Monday night,
after an insurgent economy bloc
yesterday delayed the tax relief
measure temporarily.
Senator Bernard S. Melnicove,
Democrat. Of Baltimore, a leader
of the group, said the Is per cent
cut proposed is not enough. He
thinks it could be raised to 20
per cent.
Speedy Senate action had been
expected after the bill was rushed
through the House on Wednes-
day.
Majority Leader Goldstein was
set to move the bill through the
Senate after the Finance Com
mittee's favorable vote was ac-
cepted.< The insurgents, who
earlier In the session were UNI
successful in an attempt to gain
control OF the Senate. stepped in.
Low Estimate Charged.
There was no opposition to
the tax cut. but the insurgents
charged again that the Board
of Revenue Estimates still is es-
timating too low on anticipated
revenues for the next fiscal year.
The figures were revised upward
by $5.3 million Tuesday.
Senator Goldstein rallied sup
port from Senator Anders r.
Lofstrand, jr., Republican, of
Montgomery County. He said he
saw no need for the delay. He
added that if other relief could
be given, he thought it should GO
to property owners in the form
of a cut in the proposed real
estate tax.
Senator John Turnbull, Demo-
crat, of Baltimore County aided
in blocking action yesterday.
cts surprising how many
hearts are bleeding to give so
per cent of the taxpayers less
than a $3.50 cut a year." Sena-
tor Turnbull said. He hit as q
sham" the Board of Revenue
Estimates meeting Tuesday when
the new funds were announced.
Is Per Cent Is Boards Figure.
The Senator also said he and
others bitterly resented" what
he termed the setting of legis-
lative policy by the board. The
board recommended the Is per
cent tax cut.
Senator Melnicove said his
group has another measure for
the exemption of household fuels
from the sales tax, which would
help taxpayers more than the
income tax slash.
The Senate judiciary Commit
tee yesterday voted an unfavor-
able report on a measure to give
counties more home rule.
A similar measure, however,
giving more home rule to munich
palities. was passed by the COM
inittee. +, The bill would provide
that, a referendum be held on
the honle-rule issue in 1854.
Redden Criticizes Bill.
Senator Laynan j. Redden,
Democrat, of Caroline County,
scored the bill as one of the
worst pieces of legislation he has
seen. He said taxpayers will be
upset, if the bill becomes law.
The House yesterday passed,
by a 95-to-5 vote, a bill to ban
commercial vehicles from the
acknowledgment express
way on the State-built section
from Baltimore to JeSsup.
About half an hour later, Bal
timore City delegates questioned
whether the bill would ban buses
and taxicabs from the highway.
Delegate Jerome Robinson, Dem
ocrat, of Baltimore conceded he
did not know the answer and
urged the bill be reconsidered.
If taxicabs were barred, Mr..
Robinson said, one purpose of
the road would be defeated, since
it was intended to serve the new
Friendship Airport. He said he
would ask the State attorney
general for an opinion. The bill
will be called up again Monday
night.