Daily News from New York, New York • 5

3 3wg ma pDMOmllilli Hints at tax hike, state layoffs By PETER LOCUM Dally New Bureau Chief tj ernor's compromise plan for partial state takeover of Medicaid. Koch said he preferred last year's unsuccessful proposal for full, state assumption of health care costs for the poor. CAREY'S SPEECH LEFT many politicians here wondering whether the governor intends to seek a third term later this year. Assembly Speaker Stanley Fink (D Brooklyn), a potential challenger, said that this year, unlike 1978, Carey did not "try to use his speech" to launch a campaign. Lt Gov.

Mario Cuomo, who also is considering a challenge to Carey, was one of the governor's tougher critics yesterday. He complained that the speech sounded like "punch and petunias" rather than "wine and roses." Cuomo rapped Carey for not making crime his "No. 1" priority. Carey did rank crime among his top priorities and proposed a new squad of transit detectives to focus on chronic subway criminals. The state's major new effort to rebuild the transit system will be wasted "if we have a subway system that works but a public afraid to ride it," thegovernor said.

As Carey spoke, his wife, Evangeline, sat in the rear of the packed Assembly chamber and watched. Two young grandchildren Kate and Susan Demp-sey played quietly at her feet. "Thank you, the family's timing is exquisite," Carey quipped as cabinet leaders made a third or fourth futile effort to rally applause about halfway through the 20-minute speech. Albany Gov. Carey, invoking the political ghost of Franklin D.

Roosevelt, used his State of the State message yesterday to condemn President Reagan and call for a "special effort" which could include tax increases and layoffs of state workers to deal with Reagan's New Federalism. "The people of the State of New York cannot allow any individual within her borders to go unfed, unclothed or unsheltered," Carey said in a direct quote from Roosevelt's State of the State message exactly 50 years ago. But Carey's eighth annual message to the Legislature was light on proposals to. counter what the governor termed Reagan's "New Deal in reverse." His major focus was on shifting Medicaid and education costs from local governments to the state and on rebuilding roads and bridges. The Legislature's lackluster response signaled that lawmakers understood that those proposals will mean tax increases.

Sales and gas taxes were among those being Considered for hikes, Carey aides said later, but what taxes the Legislature will be asked to boost won't be decided for several weeks. The aides also forecast layoffs for state workers to balance the budget that has been hurt by a decrease in federal funds. Mayor Koch gave Carey's speech "high marks for good intentions," but complained about the. gov- Gov. Carey delivers his State of the State message in Albany yesterday.

way meat after the theaters have been destroyed." The question of White House influence on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation was raised by several groups, led by Actors Equity and the Natural Resources Defense Council, which filed suit to prevent construction of the hotel and theater complex on Broadway between 45th and 46th Sts. The groups argued that the -two theaters slated for demolition have historical value and should be preserved. The group charged in court papers that Nofziger and Watt telephoned the advisory council, an independent group charged with reviewing federal preservation decisions, and ordered its members to approve plans to raze the theaters. The group said the council gave the go-ahead for the demolition immediately after the calls, although similar decisions usually came after months of deliberation. Nofziger has said he called the council simply to expedite, not to dictate, a decision.

He was unavailable for comment yesterday. CITY OFFICIALS, including Mayor Koch, declined comment on yesterday's decision, which was hailed by representatives of groups opposing the Portman project. Noting that it could take months, perhaps years, to resolve all the legal issues, the opponents said they doubt Portman can keep his financial package together that long. Hayes and Morosco theaters. The appeals court also ordered a preliminary injunction on demolition of the two theaters the question of "undue influence" is resolved in court The appeals court ignored warnings that further delays could seriously jeopardize the project, which city officials consider the "linchpin" in their Times Square redevelopment plans.

Atlanta- developer John Portman has argued repeatedly that delays could place the plans in financial jeopardy. THE COURT NOTED that the "harm" the city will suffer from the delay is outweighed by the fact that "any further litigation will be futile By MARY ANN GIORDANO Planned demolition of two historic theaters to make way for the city's $292 million Portman Hotel project- was halted yesterday by a federal appeals court, which also ordered a trial to. determine if the White House- had exerted "undue influence" on the decision to raze the theaters. The federal Court of Appeals in Manhattan ordered a district court judge to determine whether top aides to President Reagan including political strategist Lyn Nofziger and Interior Secretary James Watt had applied "political pressure" to persuade an independent federal landmarks group to allow demolition of the Helen bengal tairo as I i i I The Rev. Luis Tesei of St.

Thomas Aquinas Church where Melvin founded the local branch of the Angels praised Melvin as a community activist who dedicated his life to helping people. "THROUGH THE LEADERSHIP of Frank Melvin, the Guardian Angels became a reality in our he said. "The streets Became safer, the buildings became better protected, our senior citizens began to smile again. Then, lightning struck. Ironically, those who were supposed to defend and protect lives were the unfortunate instruments of this tragic death.

But Frank Melvin did not die in vain because he brought the Guardian Angels to Dayton St." Angels leader Curtis Sliwa, who asked that the Dayton St projects be named after Melvin, called Melvin an "American hero," who used his mastery of tiie martial arts to protect people from criminals. "His life was symbolic of what good people can do to triumph over evil," Sliwa said. "Individuals like this are very rare. He gave the ultimate sacrifice, well aware of the dangers. He was a role model who led by doing.

You can have Julius" Erving, Reggie Jackson or Brooke Shields as role models. As for me, I'll make sure Frank Melvin will be remembered." By PATRICK CLARK and STUART MARQUES In a scene tinged with irony, more than 1,000 persons bade farewell yesterday to Newark Guardian Angel Frank Melvin, who was killed by a police officer while on volunteer anticrime patrol. 1 More than 300 red-bereted Angels listened as clergymen and friends praised Melvin, 26, with words usually reserved for a police officer killed in the line of duty calling him an "American hero," who made the "ultimate sacrifice" to protect others. Afterward, Melvin's wife, Sandra, 24, wept loudly as the mourners filed out of the church, less than a block from where Melvin was killed, and walked a half mile to the burial plot in Evergreen Cemetery where Melvin worked as a security guard. Melvin, the father of three, was killed Dec.

30 as he led an Angels patrol group in the Dayton St. housing project Newark police say Officer Milton Medina shot Melvin from a rooftop as the Angel advanced on a cop in the street The Angels say Melvin was shot at street level without provocation. The Essex County prosecutor's office and the FBI are investigating the case, which includes two conflicting autopsy, reportsone supporting the police version, the other upholding the Angels 01 3 MAHHt HAMBURG DAILY NfcWS Melvin, widow of Guardian Angel Frank Melvirv weeps at funeral service in Newark..