Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-24
Property Levy
Moy Be Held
To 12-Cent Rate
BY GENE GOODWIN
star STAG Ccrrespondent

ANNAPOLIS. Feb. 24.-State
taxpayers are expected to get o
slight break from revised revenue
estimates and q new money rails
ing proposal being considered
today by the Maryland Legis-
lature.
Gov. McKeldin's proposed $304
million budget for the next fiscal
year originally included provi-
sion for the State tax rate to
be increased from 100 cents per
500 of assessed valuation this
year to l4.07 cents for the levy
year Of 1857. The tax applies
to real estate and personal prop
erty.
Now 1t appears the rate win
have to be increased only about
10 penny, to about u cents.
This contemplated reduction,
still unofficial as Of today. was
made possible first because the
Board Of Revenue Estimates took
Ia new look at the States fiscal
picture yesterday and decided
that about "a million more In
revenues would be available at
the end Of this fiscal year. on
June 80. than had been ante
|cipated when the budget was
drawn.
81 Million From Martin
One million dollars Of this new
money is coming from inheri-
lance taxes on the late Glenn
II. Martin. aircraft nlanufactur-
Ter. The rest Is supposed to come
from sales and use taxes. alco-
|holic beverage taxes and racing
revenues.
Also contributing to the good
possibility that the State tax
rate viii have to be raised only
about q penny next year Is Q
proposal received favorably by
the Senate Finance COMMITTEES
yesterday to make q proposed
horse race betting tax increase
effective this spring. rather than
July /.
The Governor originally pro-
posed an increase from 10 to
~ per cent In the amount tbs
State and the track take from
each bettor,s dollar at the mile
tracks. This increase, plus 81
more days OF racing each year
lot all Maryland tracks. would
bring In An estimated 50 million.
| Effective ON Signing
Putting an emergency clause
ION the bill SO 1t would take
effect as soon as the Governor
signs tin time, other words,
for the beginning Of the racing
season this spring-would add
almost another 81 million to the
revenue estimate.
As Senate and House Budget
Committees met through today
on the budget and revenue bills.
|it was indicated that only minor
cuts. If any. viii be made in
the administrations operating
and capital budgets. Senate FL
nance Committee Chairman
John g. Turnbull said the Coy
ernor's budget Is as tight az
wax" this year.
On the basis OF the new rev.
enue estimates, the Governors
office today was working on q
supplemental budget, which
probably viii go to the Legisla-
ture tonight. It will include.
among other items. about $2.6
million to put all State employees,
including school teachers and
University of Maryland staff
members. under Federal social
security.
Auto Tag Bin Signed
In other developments here:
Gov. McKeldin signed into law
"a bill postponing from 1857 to
1858 scheduled increases in mo-
tor vehicle license tag fees. At
almost the same time, the House
Ways and Means COMMITTEES
killed a bill that would have re-
pealed permanently the law pro-
viding for the increased fees.
The Senate last night defeated
% proposed constitutional amend.
ment to provide for popular cleo
ton Of the State Treasurer, now
chosen every four years by the
Legislature.
The Senate Finance Commit.
tee voted, 5 to 4. for an "un-
favorable and hold" report on q
bill to create a new director Of
the State Roads Commission and
IN fnJir-Ynny7ahnr odufcorv ro,,o