Evening star., 1960-03-14


budget fight. It's also a ques-
ton how much influence Gov.
Almond gained or lost.
But the Governor was in
clear control in the final stages
of the fiscal fight.
SOuthside Protests
The Southside was the un-
willing recipient of a 3 cents
per pack cigarette taxa meas
use legislators from that to-
bacco growing area hotly pro-
tested. It's here the organiZa-
ton has drawn some of its
staunchest supporters an d
some key legislative posts are
held by Southsiders.
The AsSembly's last day
Saturday was a tumultuos one
in which the budget-balancing
revenue bills were passed in
the closing hours.
AS passed, the budget is still
about $40 million shy but Dele
gate Robert Whitehead of Nell
son County said 1T would bal
Fance because he was confident
revenue estimates were $40
million too low.
The Senate approved the
cigarette tax on a 25-l5 vote,
with several Senators of the
economy bloc and its oppo-
nents swapping sides. The tax
is variously estimated to bring
in between $25 and $39 million
in the biennium.
Beer Tax Quickly OKd
With the key tobacco tax
out of the way, the Senate gave
quick approval to a bill boost
ing by one-half cent the per
bottle beer tax and another
measure placing a 10 per cent
tax on liquor and wine. An
other tax measure had passed
earlier stepping up the pay
ment on capitol, estimated to
bring in $9.5 million.
| Together the taxes are esti-
mated to bring in an addi-
tional $40 million.
All the new taxes except that
on tobacco become effective
July /. The cigarette levy will
be effective August /.
The taxes all originated in
the House and were chiefly the
work of Mr.. Whitehead.
Other Legislation Passed
While the budget and revenue
bills held top interest in the
closing days Of the session, the
Assembly also enacted some
other major legislation:
Senator William F. Stones
bill increasing the State gaso-
line tax by cent a gallon with
the money earmarked for con-
struction on the primary and
secondary highway systems
This will boost the tax on gaso-
line from 6 to Z cents and or
truck fuels from 8 to 9 cents
for an estimated annual yield OF
$l2.5 million.
Delegate C. w. Cleatons bill
carrying out recommendation
of the Virginia Advisory Legis-
lative Council for liberalization
of retirement and sick leave
benefits for 10000 public school,
teachers and other State EN-.
ployes, local constitutional Of
f1cers and some employees oi
localities in the State.
Delegate C. Harrison Mann's
bills for increasing hunting ano
fishing licenses to produce ar
additional 100000 for the
State Game Commission.
Delegate E. E. Lanes bill tc
continued the Virginia Educa.
ton Television Commission fol
another two years with a $780,
900 appropriation.
Delegate Melvin L. Shreves
bill requiring annual registra-
tion of all boats with motors
of 10 or more horsepower, with
a registration fee of S. each
three years.
Senator Charles R. Fenwick' s
bill doubling retail beer and
wine license fees to bring the
State an additional $315,00C
during the biennium.
Legislation Killed
Death, too, overlook some
legislation in the closing hours,
including:
Senator Charles T. Moses
measure to allow the listing OF
uncommitted independent elec-
tors on the presidential ballot
in Virginia. Thee bill died in
the House Privileges and Elec-
tions Committee.
Delegate James M. Thorn
sons bill to delay the local
option feature of the State
Pupil Placement Act for two
years. The Senate declined tc
suspend constitutional readings
on the measure. The Senate
Rules Committee put to sleep
Delegate Lucas D. Phillips
House joint resolution to null
lily the United States Supreme
Courts school desegregation de-
cisions in Virginia. 1t also
/ Ill