The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1912-02-24
LEGISLATURE CONVENED YES
TERDAY IN SPECIAL SESSION
Governor 0ddie'S Message Read Bills introduced in Both
Houses Authorizing State Loan Of 100000

expenditures of the two years will
lpossibly show some reduction over the
previous binennial period
The receipts of the general fund dur
ing each of the past three years are as
follows:
1909 . .$45l. .4S9. .46
1910 ... 45I 463. .35
1911 . 44S.639. .25
The figures for 1911 are misleading
in this respect, that during such year
the sum of $73,945.8O was transferred
from the prison building fund to the
general fund, which swelled the actual
receipts of that fund to- that extent.
On the other hand, the receipts from
counties into the general fund the
same year was less by $58,307 than in
1910. Approximately 100000 of this
decrease is due to the deflection of all
Ipoll-tax receipts to the counties, in
stead of one-half coming to the state
as formerly. Other items of decrease
bring the falling off of receipts by the
general fund in 1911 over former years
to approximately $4,000
The net cash balance in the general
fund at the beginning of each of the
past four years was as follows
Jan. l, 1909 .......... $451 ,0S2. 20
jan i, 1910 .............. 241 1881
Jan. /, 1911 .............. 175.020.50
Jan. !, 1912 CONSTRUCTIVE 44,51416
There was an apparent overdraft Of
the general fund at the beginning of
the present fiscal year of 500, ,305 AZ
which arose from the fact that on
January l. 1912, total of $l07, ,4ss 20
was still due from delayed county set
Elements, $64 4,S19.5S of which belonged
to the general fund, thus leaving for
comparison purposes the constructive
net balance stated.
1t is clear from the foregoing that
the reduction in 1909, of that portion
of the state tax rate which goes into
/ the general fund, from AZ cents to 1916
cents, on each hundred dollars valua
tion of taxable property, together with
the DETECTION of all poll--tax receipts
| to the counties, is responsible for the
existing deficit. Moreover, that had
there not been a surplus in the gener
al fund at the beginning of 1909, the
deficit would possibly have occurred
two years sooner A comparison by
years of the warrants drawn against
the general fund with the receipts of
the general fund for such years shows
the following net excess of disburse-
ments over receipts:
1909 (leg. year, ....... .$209, 1856. IL
1910 (non-leg. year, ..... 66,377.6S
1911 Qeg. year, ........ l95, 5,325.95
By reference to the table previously
given of the receipts of the general
fund, it is shown that for the three
above years they were practically
constant, yet this constancy was
maintained in 1911 by the transfer
mentioned from the prison building
fund, which practically overcame a de-
crease of about $4,000 from the ordi-
nary receipts of the general fund.-
1t is conclusive from the foregoing
table that, on the basis of the present
receipts of the general fund and after
making due allowances for the bien-
nial sessions of the legislature and the
variation in expenditures the year of
such sessions with the alternate years,
the general fund must be increased by
at least $150,000 per year to balance
income with normal disbursements.
Merely to borrow a sum sufficient to
tide over the present emergency would
but advance the day of a most serious
reckoning-when the general fund
would be depleted and the state would
rowing power. 1t is therefore impera-
tive that the legislature readjust the
state tax rate adequately to increase
the receipts of the general fund.
The situation involves choice be-
tween two modes of procedure: One,
to let the existing system of taxation
continue and increase the state tax
rate Is cents, applying the increase to
Al -
crease the state tax rate 10 cents for
the benefit of the general fund and,
coupled with which, the legislature to
provide for the creation of state tax
commission to readjust and equalize
property valuations throughout the
state; depending on such commission
to bring about substantial increase
in the aggregate value of the taxable
property of the state through such re-
adjustment and equalization.
/ need not more than call attention
to the fact that taxation is distinctly
a business proposition, and that the
alignment of the public for or against
any existing or proposed system of
taxation is not on political lines but
very pronounced accordingly as it
affects the pocketbook of each citizen.
The last session of the assembly show
ed no division on party lines in the
consideration of proposed taxation
aeasure, and had it not been for the
lateness of the session when the bin
was finally perfected by the house and
transmitted to the senate, so that its
consideration for such reason was pre-
vented, is is fair to assume that the
honorable senate would unquestion-
ably have so treted it.
/ shall make no effort to persuade
any member of the legislature as to
what course he should take in this
matter. With this presentation | sub
nit the subject to your honorable
bodies in the firm belief that you will
be guided by what you believe to be
for the best interest of the state.
L. ha.. OIL. l.