State Legislators Mildly Critical of Reagan Tax Plan

The National Conference of State Legislatures on Thursday approved a resolution mildly critical of President Reagan’s proposal to simplify the federal tax code.

White House aides had lobbied hard to water down the statement, particularly its expression of concern over the proposed elimination of deductions for state and local taxes.

The policy statement was adopted by voice vote of 1,700 lawmakers attending a four-day conference here after some legislators argued that elimination of the deductions would make it more difficult for states and local communities to raise their own taxes.

The state delegations, however, were unable to reach agreement over a proposed statement condemning apartheid. Members of a black caucus were divided over how strong the anti-apartheid resolution should be and were unable to garner a three-fourths majority vote needed for passage.