Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1912-09-26
Efforts Of the Legislature to Amend
the Assessment Laws and sugges-
tons by the Tax Commission
Thirty-fourth Article.

the assessment Laws and Sugges-
tions by the Tax Commission
Thirty-fourth Article.
Having failed in 1909 in every ef-
fort to amend the laws governing the
assessment Of property and recognize
ing the embarrassing emit. of the situa-
ton, the legislature on the last day
of the session adopted the following
concurrent resolutions:
Be it resolved by the Senate, the
House of Repres entatives concurring;
That, whereas the basis of Valua-
ton of property for taxation in this
state has actually been other than it's
true value, and the financial affairs
of the various counties, municipali-
ties and state institutions have been
regulated SO as to accord with the
present taxable valuation of proper
ty, and
Whereas, there is legislation pend
ing looking to the establishment of a
more uniform basis of actual valua-
ton for taxation, and such basis
would affect the affairs of state insti-
buttons, municipalities, and counties,
therefore, be it resolved by the Sen
ate, the House of Representatives
concurring:
That the state tax commission be,
and it hereby is requested to take in.
to consideration in any regulation of
property for taxation, the values
which have heretofore been given
such property, and that the commits
| sion so act as not to create any radi-
cal changes in the present assessed
relations which have been created,
and now exist, between the incomes
and salaries paid by different institu-
tons, municipalities, and public Of
fees throughout the state; and there
by allow the present relative values
to continue until the next session of
the legislature.
/ The unfortunate situation was again
presented to the legislature in all its
bearings in 1911, but, measured by
! results, the outcome was even more
discouraging than in 1909. A bill pro
viding that all property should be as
sessed at so per cent of its true and
full value in money, after being
amended to read 35 1-3 per cent,
passed the Senate with little opposi-
! ton late in the session and was
transmitted to the House. After care
/ full consideration by the House COM
nlittee on taxes and tax laws, it was
| again radically amended and as it fin
| lily passed that body, provided that all
property subject to the general pro-
perry tax should be divided, for pur-
poses Of taxation, into four classes.
Glass i was to cover the homestead
of the taxpayer, which was to be as
! sessed at 33 1-3 per cent of it's true.
and full value. Glass was to include
all other real estate, which was to be
assessed at so per cent of its true
value Class was to include house
hold goods and furniture, wearing ap-
I.arel, musical instruments, and sew
ing machines, which were to be as
sessed at 25 per cent of full and true
value And Glass 4 covered all pei
lsonal property not included in Glass
s, which was to be assessed at so per
cent of full value.
Upon the return of the bill to the
Senate for concurrence in the House
amendments the Senate refused to
concur Conference committees We're
appointed in both bodies for the pur-
pose of reaching an agreement, but
in the rush and turmoil of the closing
hours Of the session the committees
We're unable to get together and the
| bill, like its predecessor in 1909,
failed to reach final passage,
The troublesome condition still
confronts us and is productive of in
creasing embarrassment in every di-
. rection. Letters from local assessors
| and county officers are constantly be-
ing received asking for instructions
4 as to what percentage of true and
I full value should be used in the vain.
alton of property for taxation. The
! only reply which the commission
/ has been able to make is to call at
l.tention to the statute prescribing that
/ property should be assessed at its
true and full value and to the legisla;
tive resolution requesting that II
should not be so assessed.
Justice alike to taxpayers and tas
officials demands that the matter
should no longer be left in the chao
tic and contradictory condition il
4 which it is at the present time. Either
1.-THE laws now nbstructing the assess