Milford chronicle., 1959-11-27
GOU. B0ggs Calls For
Reforms Before Taxes"
CONTINUED from page one)

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means 1T would take nearly 500
in income taxes for every taxpayer
to make up the $11, 100000" he said
This is why the state will be an
estimated $4,000, 10000 in the red
at the end of the next fiscal year,
he said. Unless reforms are brought
about, the taxpayer can expect "a
continuing crisis and that his tax
burden viii be getting heavier and
heavier"
The Governors reform program
contained the following recommen-
dations:
1. A Department of Finance
which he called the keystone" OF
his program. He said this depart
ment would provide the 'sbasic new
safeguards for the taxpayers" and
would save ian estimated half
million dollars a year" through a
central purchasing system.
2. A Department of Public Works
"to reorganize and streamline the
states public works activities
, which cost about $30,000,000 a
year.
3. A Department of Public Safe
ty ito strengthen the states pub
lie safety activities. :"
. 4. A Department of Natural Re-
sources which is vital part OF
the overall government reorgani-
zation plan, affecting the import
ant areas of our natural re-
sources"
5. A Department of Justice as
recommended by the Attorney Gen.
eral which would centralize the
states legal activities and save
$100,000 a year.
6. A Constitutional Convention
to give 'the public a voice in
strengthening our governmental
machinery"
z. Reduction of Highway Depart
ment appropriations to save tax
payers $1,7O0,0OO.
s. Return the elections function
to the counties to save the state
expenses which it should not
bear"
Governor Boggs emphasized sew
eral reasons for immediate action
on his reform program: "the lead
ers of the General Assembly have
failed to live up to their promise
to tackle the states financial prob
lens by the end of the year; the
reforms including the Department
of Finance could help keep the
state from running into a greater
deficit; savings amounting to ST.
100000 for taxpayers. establishing
stronger public confidence that the
state has laid the groundwork for
a sound financial condition.; and
everyday of delay is further
drain on the taxpayers pocket
books"
The Governor, said that the esti-
mated deficit means drastic cuts
in state services next year unless
revenues are raised, because after
June 80 "the General Assembly
cannot legally appropriate more
money" than the taxes it expects
to receive. He said he was conf
dent that the citizens of Delaware
will be willing to pay the costs
of the services" they want from the
state if they know their tax
money is being handled in the most
efficient manner possible. That's
what we can obtain in this session
if the General Assembly faces its
responsibilities and enacts the pro-
gram l have proposed I am going
to do everything l know how. to
see that essential state services
are not damaged.
1T has been my understanding
since the first year that the As
sembly would meet these problems,
but they haven't met them, Boggs
continued. If the Legislature
doesn't act next week when they
are in session, there is only one
action that 1 can take and that is
to call them back again into spe-
cial session. This is exactly what
/ will do" he declared.
LET there be no mistake about
what is at issue, the Governor
continued. "The issue is whether
the Democratic General Assembly
is going to load a heavier tax bur-
den on our people without taking
essential steps to provide more
efficiency in handling your tax
dollars. Reform is essential" he
said, "and any other approach by
the General Assembly will short
change the taxpayers of this
state"
A.