The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1909-03-11
STATE FACES CRISIS
Report Of Secretary Of State
Shows Finances Will Run Low
Before End of the Year
MUST PROVIDE MORE FUNDS

| Wisconsin taxpayers are in danger
of having heavy burdens placed upon
them if the appropriations asked of the
legislature become laws. In a report
to the claims COMM ttee of the legis-
lature Wednesday Secretary Of State
Frear shows that if the revenues of the
inheritance tax were turned from the
general fund into the common school
fund, as proposed by Assemblyman
Hull Of Black River Falls, cit would
leave deficit in the general fund of
possibly $4,000 by the end Of the
year 1909, without an appropriation of
one dollar for the bills now before the
legislature. !"
With no decreases in the present
revenues of the state there will remain
in the state treasury sum not ex-
ceeding $4,000 on January /, 1910.
There are bills before the legislature
asking increased appropriations from
the state of $3,107,388. Mr. Frear says
this estimate Of an additional expendi-
ture of 100000 squarely presents to
the legislature the necessity of pro-
viding other means for raising revenues
during the next two years or the
alternative Of disallowing appropria-
tions asked for.'
The secretary of states statement
shows that the estimated revenues
for 1909, together with the balance on
hand at the beginning Of the year
will be $6,154,363 and the estimated
expenditures for 1909 will be $6,133, 465
leaving a balance in the general fund
of the treasury on January 1, 1910,
of $20,898.
His estimates for receipts and ex-
penditures for the year 1910 shows
slightly increased revenues and small
er disbursements for that year with a
balance in the general fund Of $3.50, 448
on January l, 1911.
In making these estimates, the secre-
tary calls attention to the capitol build
ing fund, for which an appropriation Of
100000 annually is made for period
Of ten years. The expenditures against
this fund for 1907 amounted to
$239,014, and for the year 1908,
$679,325.
The Capitol Commission estimates an
expenditure of $1,075,000 for 1909, and
of $4,000 for 1910. The small treas
ury estimate of 500, 1913, treasury bal
ance on January /, 1910, is explained
through the unexpected increase in es-
Inmates made for the capitol building
over former estimates.
Apart from the $6,133,465 estimated
general expense for the year 1909, the
legislature now has before it, bills
proposing increased or unusual appro-
priations not included in the esti-
mates, amounting approximately to
So, 1073 1888. In his statement to the
general claims committee, the secre-
tary of state further says that in esti-
mating the balance in the treasury for
the year 1910 at $3.50, 448 the estimate
of three quarters Of million dollars
is made for capitol building purposes,
whereas increased appropriations may
be asked for if projected building
plans are carried out. He states also
that the balance in the treasury on
the first day Of January, 1911, includes
the estimated receipt Of $4,000 from
capitol building tax authorized by law,
but which has never before been levied.
| In making this estimate he calls at
tention to the fact that the legislature
now has before it one bill which pro
poses to decrease the revenues of the
general fund approximately 100000
during 1909 and 1910 by transferring
j inheritance taxes to the common
school fund.