Hixson

Although legislative leaders began the General Assembly session saying they hoped to cut income taxes this year, top lawmakers now say there is little support for the idea. "There's no enthusiasm for it," said House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr., who introduced legislation to provide a cut. "It might not be the best thing to do," said Sen. Barbara A. Hoffman, chairwoman of the Senate budget committee. "There's no groundswell for doing it at the moment." The Assembly approved a 10 percent tax cut in 1997 that is being phased in. More than half of it -- 6 percent -- has taken effect, but no further reduction is scheduled until next year.

As the controversy over John S. Arnick's alleged abusive conduct toward women continued to swirl in the State House yesterday, the women's legislative caucus decided not to withdraw its previous endorsement of him as a District Court judge.After a meeting yesterday morning, the group issued a statement calling those allegations a "serious matter." But most members felt that the former state delegate's long career in government should not be destroyed by a single misstep, said Del. Sheila E. Hixson, the caucus chairwoman.

On November 25, 2004 WANDA JEAN CLIFF (nee Laing) beloved wife of Jimmie V. Cliff, devoted mother of Vernon, Jacob and John Hixson, loving grandmother of Michael Rossi, Alishia Hixson and John Hixson Jr., also survived by 5 great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the family owned Duda-Ruck Funeral Home of Dundalk Inc., 7922 Wise Avenue, on Tuesday from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. A funeral service will be held at 1 P.M. Interment Loudon Park Cemetery.

Also, an article in April 5 editions of The Sun incorrectly stated the committee chairmanship of state Del. Howard P. Rawlings. He is chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the House of Delegates. The chairwoman of the Ways and Means Committee is Del. Sheila E. Hixson.The Sun regrets the error.

The first time around, it was an 18-minute gap in President Richard M. Nixon's Oval Office recordings that caused a stir. In the Watergate revival unfolding in Baltimore's federal courthouse, the issue yesterday was audiotapes that are missing altogether. Lawyers on both sides in the $5.1 million defamation lawsuit against G. Gordon Liddy say they no longer have their tapes of Liddy's 1996 speech at James Madison University, where he suggested the Watergate burglars were looking for evidence of a call-girl ring run from Democratic National Committee headquarters.

Democratic leaders in the House of Delegates plowed forward yesterday with an effort to balance next year's budget without money from slot machines, releasing a list of potential tax increases and other moves that could raise $2.1 billion. But the fact that the House Ways and Means Committee reviewed a three-page handout of possible taxes before a room of empty chairs -- instead of a series of bills with testimony from scores of lobbyists -- underscored the difficult prospects for tax increases this year.

On April 12, 2006, EDITH BERDELL (nee Harrold) SCHNABEL; beloved wife of the late William Paul Schnabel; dear sister of Ivanore Denny, Laura Jane Coy, Lyman (John) Harrold and the late Clyde Hiram Harrold and Nadine Hixson; loving sister-in-law of Edna Louise Harrold and Audra Harrold. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Schnabel will lie-in-state at Oak Crest Chapel, on Monday 10 to 11 A.M. the funeral hour. Interment Oak Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or Macular Degeneration Foundation.

On May 18, 2006, MARY MILDRED MARTINO (nee Henry); beloved wife of the late George J. Martino; devoted mother of Lois Krepner, Donna Hixson and Tracey Martino; dear sister of Louise Hendley and Elva Largent. A Funeral Service will be held at the family owned Duda-Ruck Funeral Home of Dundalk Inc, 7922 Wise Avenue, on Monday at 10 A.M. Interment Gardens of Faith Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M.

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. ruled out yesterday linking a major tax increase to House of Delegates passage of slot machine legislation, even if it means the failure for a second straight year of his effort to expand gambling in Maryland. "If that's what the House wants, it's not an option," Ehrlich told reporters. But Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller -- Ehrlich's chief legislative ally on slots -- welcomed the possibility of the House assembling a broader revenue package that includes slots and other taxes.

House Speaker Michael E. Busch put on hold yesterday action on the Senate's slot machines bill, overruling the plans of a committee chairwoman to have hearings on the legislation this week. Busch's move occurred as the lawyer for Timonium Racetrack accused the Ehrlich administration of reneging on its agreement to give the track $12 million in gambling revenue in exchange for an agreement to forgo slots. Ways and Means Committee Chairwoman Sheila E. Hixson said yesterday that she had scheduled a hearing on the Senate bill -- already postponed once -- for tomorrow.