Evening star., 1960-01-13
VIRGINIA
: Cnnfinnnd Frnrn Firsf Pa

Of this tax" the Governor told
the lawmakers.
He did not disclose what ex-
emptions would be allowed in
the legislation which probably
will be introduced tomorrow
other than to say that they
would be held to "a reasonable
minimum"
Opposition Expressed
Most Northern Virginia law
makers have indicated they
would oppose the Governors
program or would attempt to
seek exemptions for such ne
cessities as groceries and drugs.
Nowhere in the Governors
address on the state of the
Commonwealth was there a di-
rect reference to the ticklish
school segregation issue ON
which he won a one-vote mar
gin Of victory during a special
session last year. At that time
he put through his freedom
of choice" plan that allowed
Arli ngton and Alexandria.
among other communities, to
accept racial integration and
Prince Edward County to close
its public schools rather than
bow to Federal Court integra-
ton orders.
"As far as I am concerned"
he told reporters, this pro-
gram is working very we'll and
I am not opening it up. 1t
would be most unfortunate If
that subject came before the
General Assembly - and it
may"
Oblique References Made
But there were several OBJ
lique references to the racial
issue. For example. he made
much of the fact that he was
not sending back the S45 mil
lion in sales tax revenues to be
earmarked for schools or based
on school enrolment.
THE school situation makes
this course absolutely neces-
sary," he told the Joint assem-
bly, Of House and Senate mem
bers.
Prince Edward County, which
has closed its schools, and
other Southside counties which
threaten to do the same, would
be penalized if funds were ear
marked for schools.
In the field of public educa-
ton, generally, the Governor
disclosed that he will recon-
mend tomorrow an appropria-
ton Of 1888 million for op-
Grafton of public schools-an
increase Of 1854 million over
the current biennial budget.
Teacher Pay Rise Provided
This is a staggering
amount" he said. There are
some who may say Virginia
cannot afford such vast ex-
penditures for education pur-
poses. I cannot see how Vir-
ginia can afford to do less"
The largest proportion of the
appropriations for education
are related to teachers salaries.
1t would provide l,O5O new
teaching positions the first
year and a like number the sec
ond year.
Also, it would give an in
crease of $3.50 the first year
and 500 the second year. max
ing the maximum scale from
$4,000 the first year, $4,000 the
second year.
i had hoped I could do more
for them, Gov. Almond said.
Tax Exemptions Proposed
Under the Governors tax pro-
gram, income tax personal
exemptions for individuals and
their spouses would be in
creased from $1,000 to $500
each.
Retail merchants licenses
taxes would be repealed en-
tirely as of January /, 1861,
for revenue reduction Of about
SIS million for the two years.
Retailers would get 3 per cent
Tor collecting the taxa total
OF about $6.5 million during the
period. Cost of administration
and enforcement would run $2.5
million. A reduction in whole
sale merchants license taxes
from l3 to 5 cents a hundred
= 'on sales instead of purchases
would amout to $2.8 million:
a more favorable formula for
taxing corporate income would
cost 81 million and a reduction
from IS to so cents per 500
on capital not otherwise taxed
would cost $3,335,00O.
The $500 Increase in the