Evening star., 1962-01-07
BY ALEX r. PRESTON
Star Staff Writer

DJ HAGA 1bs IVES 1ON
Star Staff Writer
RICHMOND, Jan. The
Virginia General Assembly,
under firm control Of the Byrd
Democratic organization, will
begin its biennial 60-day session
Wednesday, shortly before a
new governor is inaugurated.
Albertis S. Harrison, jr., for
mer State attorney general, will
take the oath OF office here
Saturday as the successor to
Gov. Almond, who is reported
to be in line for a Federal court
post.
With Byrd-backed men pre-
siding over both the house and
senate. as well as occupying the
chief executives chair, the
spirit of harmony may be shat
tered only by a handful of pro-
vocative issues.
ReapportiOnment Issue
Chief among the list Of con-
troversial topics is that of re-
apportionment of representa-
tion in the General Assembly
itself. A commission appointed
by Gov. Almond has recon-
mended that the populous areas
near Washington be given a
total Of seven additional sena-
tors and delegates.
This, plus recognition of the
fast-growing Norfolk and other
regions, will mean that several
representatives of rural sections
will be asked to vote themselves
out of a job. There is a State
constitutional limitation of 100
members of the house and 40
senators.
Although Governor elect
Harrison appears to be assum-
ing office in the role of a peace
maker, after the discord over
the public school integration
issue during the Almond ad-
ministration, other thorny prob
lens remain.
Income Tax Changes
Changes in the income tax
structure seem likely.
State Tax Commissioner c.
H. MorriSsette has spoken in be-
half of a withholding tax on
incomes comparable to that of
the Federal Government. Pre-
viously, the commissioner was
outspoken in his opposition to
such tax.
Single wage earners and
small families would pay more
than now because the present
exemptions of $1,000 for the
taxpayer, a similar amount for
the spouse and 5000 for each
dependent would be changed to
a flat $500 exemption for each.
Hence, a family with two
children, now receiving exemp-
tions totaling $2,4O0 would be
unaffected while larger fam
lilies would actually benefit by
larger exemptions. The overall
intent is to collect more
money. Gov. Almond is ex-
pected to disclose how much
more in his final message to
the Assembly on Wednesday.
Budget Recommendations
The Governor will submit his
budget recommendations for
the next two fiscal years on
Thursday. Because of rising
costs and increased demands by
State agencies and depart
ments, it undoubtedly will set
a new record, exceeding the SIP
billion appropriated for the
current biennium.
Enactment of a sales tax is
not regarded as likely during
the forthcoming session, al
though there undoubtedly will
be legislation offered for that
purpose. Gov. Almond, who
won a partial victory in his
budget fight two years ago
after parting with the Byrd
organization on the racial seq
regation issue, failed to get a
3 per cent sales tax enacted.
Instead, the Legislature adopt
ed package of taxes on whis-
key, wine, beer and tobacco
products.
It is likely that these taxes,
enacted on a temporary"
basis expiring this June 80,
are here to stay.
WhiSkey-by-Drink Dispute
Mr.. Harrison, in announcing
his candidacy last January,
said he was opposed to a sales
tax, except as last resort. But
nearly everyone in the legisla-
ture believes that demands for
added governmental services
will necessitate such a levy in
the future.
An explosion is virtually Ger
tain over the touchy whiskey-
by-the-drink question. At pres
ent all hard liquor and forti-
fled wines are sold only in
State-operated dispensaries.
Beer and light wine are sold
by stores, taverns and res
taurantS.
An organization Of hotel op-
orators and interests in the
Virginia Beach resort area are
the mainsprings of the drive