Evening star., 1961-02-04
SickIes Bill
Would Set Up
Rutes of $3.50
By PAUL HOPE
Star Staff Writer

AA1C UII1 10 DC11lB OEd1JSu Oy
Delegate Carlton r, Sickles,
Democrat Of Prince Georges,
Who said Gov. Tawes' proposal
20 expand the sales tax to raise
more money this year would
only make a bad tax worse"
The bill. is being drafted by
Delegate Carlton r. Sickles,
Democrat Of Prince Georges,
who said Gov. Tawes' proposal
TO expand the sales tax to raise
more money this year would
only make a bad tax worse"
Mr.. Sickles' bill would tax in
come at rates from 8 to S per
cent. The rate would be 3 per
cent for the first $4,000 Of tax
able income, 312 per cent for
the next $4,000, 4 per cent for
the next $4,000 and 5 per cent
for all over $4,000.
Under the current income tax
laws, there is a flat rate of 8
per cent on all net earnings and
5 per cent on taxable income
from investments, such as stock
Same Rates
Mr.. Sickles' bill would elm
mate the investment income in
the classification and use the
same graduated rates for all
taxable income.
The sponsor said the gradu-
ated tax, which would make
those in higher income brackets
pay more, would produce about
$11 million more than the
present tax.
Gov. Tawes' expansion Of the
sales tax would produce about
$9.4 million. The Governors
program would drop the start
ing point Of the sales tax from
81 cents to Is cents and apply
the tax to restaurant meals
costing Is cents or more.
Another tax measure already
introduced by seven delegates
would increase beer and wine
taxes and produce about $3.3
million. Another bill would in
crease the State cigarette tax
from three cents to five cents
and produce approximately S.
million.
Opposing Views
In other legislative develop.
ments, Gov. Tawes defended
and Montgomery County Dele
gates criticized an administra-
ton plan for congressional
reo1Strlct1ng.
The administrations measure
calls for creating a new con-
gressional district of Prince
Georges and Howard Counties.
Aside from a few precincts In
Baltimore City, the only area
which would be affected ID
Southern Maryland.
Gov. Tawes said the plain to
divide the big 5th district
of Southern Maryland was
agreed upon by Democratic
Party and legislative leaders.
1T was not my decision. but
go along with it, the Cover
nor said.
The agreement to make the
new district out of Prince
Georges and Howard was
reached Wednesday night after
top Democratic officials, includ-
ing the six Democratic Con-
gresSmen, had agreed several
days earlier that the redistrict-
ing should be confined pri-
marily to the division of the
5th district.
Sixth District Quiet
Gov. Tawes said Western
Maryland was not represented
at the Wednesday meeting be-
cause it had already been
agreed that the 9Th district
which includes Montgomery,
should not be changed.
Four members of the Mont
gomery County legislative dele
cation criticized the admin
istration's plan yesterday be-
cause it would leave the 9Th
district and the I'd district
north of Baltimore among the
largest congressional districts
in the Nation.
ANY good redistricting bill
should provide relief for all, i"
said Delegate Blair Lee HI.
His statement was backed by
Delegates Margaret Schwein-
haut, Edna Cook and Grahame
Walker.
Tawes Raps Committee
At a press conference yes
terday. Gov. Tawes also was
critical of the Committee for
Fair Representation in it's op-
position to an administration
supported measure to reappor-
ton seats in the Maryland
House of Delegates.
The Governor has indorsed
the Northrop-Pine bill, which
would add 20 seats to the House
of Delegates. The Committee for
Fair Representation wants leg
islation that would revise the
Senate's membership.