Evening star., 1960-01-23
Almond Still HOPES
For 80 Sales Tax
Contends Liquor,
Tobacco Levies
Won't Fill Need
BY DAN POOLE
Star Stan Writer

sales tax, will not meet the
States revenue needs.
There are other approaches"
he admitted yesterday, "but
you would have to load down
tobacco and liquor so heavily
that they would reach the point
of no return. A sales tax would
spread the tax base and give
every citizen a share Of the
responsibility"
Acknowledging that there is
a split in the General Assembly
over his proposed 8 per cent
sales tax, Gov. Almond said,
I'm trying to get my program
passed in substance If not in
toto"
The Governors proposed sales
tax would yield an estimated
net of $142 million during the
next two years, of which about
$45 million would be returned
to the localities. Higher exemp-
tions on income taxes would be
allowed if it were passed.
Here on Tour
Gov. Almond discussed the
sales tax proposal with news
men during the. start of q three
day tour of Northern Virginia
by State officials, legislators
and their wives.
The Governors remarks on
proposed higher taxes on to-
bacco and liquor were his first
references to bills already in
troduced in the Senate and the
House of Delegates of measures
designed to alleviate the need
for q sales tax.
Senator Charles T. Moses Of
Appomattox has proposed a
5 cent tax per pack of ciga-
rettes, and a 10 per cent in
crease in the tax on liquor.
Delegate Robert Whitehead Of
Nelson County has introduced
a bill to levy a 3 cent tax on
cigarettes, and a 10 per cent
increase in the liquor tax.
Regardless of the alternate
measures and the General AS
sembly split, Gov. Almond said.
Il am confident the sales tax
will be enacted into law. After
the legislators make a careful
study Of the fiscal picture, they
will realize the need of a sales
tax for more revenues. I be-
Ilieve the sales tax is the only
practical approach to the
problem.
$3.50 Split Pressed
One major objection to the
sales tax has been the relatively
small return Of the revenue to
the localities. Moves already
are underway within the ad.
ministration to get a half-and.
half split with local govern
lments. Delegate Sam E. Pope
of Southampton County has
said he win introduce a bill or
Monday for a 8 per cent sale.
tax that would return half oi
1.-THE revenue to the localities
He said he cannot support the
Governors proposal.
OF the various proposed com
promises, Gov. Almond said, 90.
don't want to comment now or
the possibility of a compromist
because if I open up one ares
will open up many others.
The Governor has said tina
to be effective, his sales tai
proposal should not be riddlet
by numerous changes.
Switzer Hits Story
Meanwhile, c.. Fred Switze
denied last night the specula
ton that he had passed tn
word on United States Senate
Byrd's feelings on the proposes
State sales tax.
There is absolutely no basi
or foundation for such a fan
tastic story" he said whel
reached at his home in Har
lrisonburg.
Rumors of compromise anon
the Assemblymen arose yester
day after it was learned tina
Mr.. Switzer had written to hi
three legislators that he favore
a 3 per cent sales tax bill
it would provide for so per cen
of the net proceeds to be dis
!, tributed among the localities.
The letter from Mr.. Switze
was said by some to be indica
q tive of Senator Byrd'S wishe
because Mr.. Switzer is Virginia
;. Democratic National Commit
; teeman and a Shenandoah Val
. ley resident near Sentor Byrc
!, the chief of Virginia's Demo
cratic organization.
!, "I've never discussed the sale
| tax with Senator Byrd senior O
= Junior at an ytime," Mr.. Swit2e
. declared. II simply wrote m
= representatives in the legisla
ture my personal feelings on tn
: bill and that's all there Is t
!. lit. I've known Senator Byr
: for many years and I have al
I ways found him capable q
speaking for himself withou
going through an emissary."
4 State Senator Harry Byrd, jr
is leading the large bloc in tn
e Virginia Senate that is expecte
: to oppose outright or attemr
d drastic amendments on Cover
I nor Almonds proposed 3 pc
4 cent sales tax.