The Mena weekly star., 1911-03-23
THE STATES NEW
ASSESSMENT PLAN
The Act That win RevoIutionize Ar
kansas Tax System Passed House
With Little Opposition Some
of the Changes Proposed.

ly comment and positively without a
show of debate, the House Thursday
afternoon, by vote Of 20 ia 7, passed
the -Bradham revenue bill, abb
soIutely revolutionizine the assess
ment system in Arkansas. changing
every fixed rate for city and state
taxes. and enlarging the powers .ofthe
state tax commission TO point where
the body is. to large extent the
court Of last resort in the matter of
assessment adjudication.
The bill has been before the judiciary
committee for several weeks. during
which time about seventy-five amend
ments had been proposed, all of which
were later adopted by the House.
The bill, owing to its great length was
never read entire but once in the
House. When it was taken up last
afternoon it was partially read, but IL
was evident that It's full reading would
require practically the whole alter
noon, II was abbreviated and brought
to vote.
Although its passage as amended
had been recommended By the judi
cary committee, it was believed that
its final reading would stir up debate.
owing to the fact that it so radically
reverses the present revenue laws.
The lack of opposition was very grati-
/ flying to the authors Of the bill and 10
Gates, member OF the tax commission,
who has spent much time in working
up the bill
What opposition the Senate will
make Of it is, of course problematical
J, but its friends believe it will not en-
counter serious opposition or amend
ment
In concrete way it is interesting
to note some of the changes that will
result in the revenues under the pro-
posed law. for the revenue is. after
all. the main thing considered in any
assessment BILL IL must be kept in
\ mind that the bin requires property Of
every description to be assessed at
its full value, and under this assess-
ment members of the tax commission
believe the total valuation will be
swelled from $780, 900. the present
figures, to 81. 100. .000. 90. However.
fearing it might fall below that amount.
sliding tax rate has been fixed. as
previously mentioned. This rate be-
4 gins with a possible valuation Of $780,
000, 900 under the new law and fixes
new series OF state tax levies for
every increase OF $50. 900 900 in the
assessment.
Presuming that the assessment is
$3.50, 900, the rates fixed for that
amount would give the following rev.
enues for the several state funds: Gem
eral revenue. $780, 900: common
schools, ST. $50 ZOO; pensions, $780,
900. state capital, $1S7 500
The rates for higher totals in ASSESS
ments are so graduated that the
revenues in each case would be ap-
proximately what they are as given
above. For instance, should the total
assessment reach 81 900, 900. 900 the
rates are so adjusted as TO give tie
following revenues: General revenue
$500 900: common school. $3.50 600;
confederate pensions, $3.50 900: state
capital, 5000, 600.
To appreciate the change 1t is well
to compare the above samples under
the proposed law with the revenues
under the present assessment. which
are as follows: General revenue,
$685. 900; common school. ST l40, 900.
pensions, $570,000 state capital,
$3.50 900.
Ii will be seen at once that the in
creases in revenue are pronounced.
the general revenue, which is the
fund so badly crippled now. being
aided by an increase OF approximately
35 per cent.
The rates fixed for county and city
vary with fractional increases in the
assessment over that of 1910. For
instance, for county general tax pur-
poses. the proposed law would fix the
rate at 3 1-10 mills. If the assessment
shows to be 3-4 times as great as in
1910 for the last assessment. The
county road tax. under the same in
crease in assessment, is fixed at APP
proximately $40 mills. Should the
assessment be twice as great as in
1910. or 2 Ia times as great. etc. the
rate diminishes. until on an assess
ment 3 Ia times as great as in 1910
the tax rate Tor county general pur-
poses would be only Clio mills. and
that for road purposes would be, APP
!, proximately. mill.
II the property OF the district showS
an assessment 3-4 times as great as
in 1910. then the special school levy
may be. approximately, 4 $40 mills
If il is 3 IA times as great. the maxi
mum levy is. approximately 2 2-lO
mills
In cities, the maximum levy under
an assessment 3-4 times as great as
in 1910. is mills: for an assessment
3 Ia times as great. IL is 5-10 mills
All the above rates are maximum
rates.
i In addition 20 the county tax pro
yijcd for, county court may levy d
special tax. not to exceed half the
general county tax. Tor the purpose o.
erecting new court house. Also in
B special school districts. tax Of not Il
+. exceed mill may. be levied to pay
the interest on the bonded indebted