The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1913-10-04
STATE TAXES
TO Be HIGHER

The extravaganza of the last
Republican legislature came to a
head this week when the state
board of equalization fixed the
tax levy for this year at 8.81
mills, the highest in the states
history and 3.O2 mills higher
than last year. Even this levy
will fall $685., 600 short of produc-
ing the required revenue, accord
ing to State Auditor Claussen,
and would have been several
mills higher if Governor Lister
had not vetoed appropriations of
several million dollars.
This higher levy is made nec-
essary in spite of the fact that
the assessed valuation of both
real and PERSONAL property in
the state is SO, $685. 776 higher
than last year. The general
state levy is placed at the limit,
3 mills, where it was 1.23 last
year, while the permanent high
way fund is J a mill higher
and the public highway fund is
increased Z of a mill. The in
creased levy means that the Leg
islature has forced the taxpayers
of the state to pay into the trea-
sury So, 118,076 more in state
taxes than during 1912.
To meet the extravaganza of
the last legislature the taxpayers
of the state must pay into the
treasury under this levy a grand
total of So, 937, 525 as against $5,-
819, 449. AS stated above, this
will fall $635,0 short of the re-
quired amount for state general
fund, hence the wisdom of the
policy inaugurated by Governor
Lister when he took the execu-
i've position: that the state de-
partments handle their business
as cheaply as possible and en-
deavor to return to the state
treasury at the end Of the bien-
nial period as much of their ap-
preparations as they can. This
the departments will be compell-
ed to do if the state is to avoid
further increases in it's overdraft.
If the legislature had seen fit
to follow Governor Listers urg-
ent admonition as to econo-
my, had not passed several Veto
appropriations over his head and
had enacted the series of consol-
idations Of state departments he
proposed, this large increase in
the state tax levy would have
been entirely unnecessary and
the business of the state could
have been handled not only more
efficiently but far more economic
ally. However, this same ex-
travagance gives the governor
his best argument for the elec-
tion next year of a democratic
legislature in harmony with his
policies of economy and efficien-
cy. = Washington Standard,
Olympia.
Will the kind reader cast his
eye over the state tax state
ment published from the state
capital, or recast, if he has al
ready seen same, and Listen,
Look and Lister" " to use a cam
paign slogan, for the numerous
points which are therein to be
found for their edification. The
gist of it is the extent it is COM
mandatory to Governor Lister,
and comfrmatory of the wisdom
of his course in state manage
ment, especially with reference
to the state finances, and of his
course for retrenchment and
economy in the last legislature
when the opposition put it over"
him and saddled on the state bur-
dens which are indicated in the
statement referred to-.
There is time but for a mere
glance. but the salient points are
these:
Tax levy increase of over three
mills over previous year; estimat-
ed total tax almost SO. 900. 600. an