The Springdale news., 1912-08-23
Sliding Scale Proposed.

QeIduIl
 Sliding Scale Proposed.
 These remedies both failing, the one remaining remedy is 10 raise the rate. on sliding scale This would help cut down expenses, for legis- lator will weigh well and hesitate long on any appropriation bill when he realizes that when he votes for 1t, he as certainly votes a tax on the people to pay the appropriation. He could not satisfy the petitioners for the bill by voting the appropria- ton and al tie same time set him self right With it's opponents by tell ing them their taxes would not be raised. Nor could he proclaim him self progressive and broad minded and a heap big booster filled with state pride and enterprise, and at tht sa1neZtfme= heap abuse upon Audi tors and Governors for not providing funds Q meet his generous expendi- lures.
 AIt= sl4 U II G st dit N 0dIa 1tIQ u equalize and raise assessments. bringing relief to the smaller tax payers ff l know that the rate on my property will be raised or low cred according to whether you give in Your assessment high or low. l would have an incentive to see that you one up With your share l be- Iieve there are many men who have always given in their property at Loo Der cent or 50 per cent accord ing to the requirements of the as sessor. bu. they nave not insisted upon their neighboss doing the same
 Wouid % Upon a Cash Basis.
 =naee l sliding ale, the state would at once % upon a cash basis. which is not only onomical but common justice to ali II would be calculated accurately that the amount Of revenue to be derived from any particular levy would be sufficient to meet the appropriations of the last preceding legislature II would be necessary for tie legisla- ture 10 make an appropriation to GOV. er all outstanding obligations, which would clean up the existing deficit
 IT is the opinion Of some that q separate levy should be made for each account of state expenses, for example, one-quarter mill for the University. which would relieve the legislature from considering the amount appropriated each year I feel sure this would be found dis appointment to it's friends The legislature should carefully conside, each item, and while the quarter mill might be sufficient one year, it might be excessive or insufficient another.
 Of the many suggestions offered the sliding scale, as l believe, is the only one that insures a permanent, never-varying cash basis.
 How He Would Solve the Problem.
 If called upon to draft bill, would provide that on or before the second Monday in October each year, every county clerk shall forward to the State Auditor certified stae- ment showing the total assessed val ue of his property The Auditor shall, from these statements. ascer- tain the total assessed value of the property of the state. On or be- fore the fourth Monday of each Oc- tober he shall certify to the county clerks the rate of taxation necessary
 TO ascertain this rate, would have the Auditor deduct from the aggregate sum of all appropriations made by the last preceding legisla- ture. one half of such total, and from that the sum of moneys coming into the Treasury from other sourc- es, thus giving the remainder that must be raised by direct levy. He shall then determine what rate upon the toal assessment valuation shall be necessary to provide that amount,