Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1915-01-07
PLANS TO REDUCE TAXES STATED
BY ALEXANDER.



As to the bond issues the governor
states that almost every legislature has
authorized bond issue, the last legis-
lature authorizing an issue of $4,000,
of which $4,000 was sold aud the
money paid into the treasury. The
remaining 100000, public highway
bonds, have not been issued but the
proceeds are pledged for construction
of public highways. The amount thus
pledged is uncertain. Over $l45,0 900
from the Carey act fund.- and interest
on bonds outstanding was paid to the
amount of 100000.
Totaling figures, the last state gov
eminent had an incomb aside from
direct tax for general state purposes,
of approximately $2,o55,00c for the two
preceding years. The direct tax up
in all property of the state AUTHORIZE
by the last Legislature was $2,O00,0O0,
$1,S00,00O being levied making grand
total income exceeding $3,sS5,000, and
says the governor there were expendi-
lures of 100000 in excess of revenues.
which has not yet been fully ascer-
tanned, as November and December aud
its have not been made yet
The Effort to Deceive.
"This enormous deficit, says Gov
ernor Alexander, "has been caused by
the lavish expenditure of money and
the board of equalization refusing to
follow the long established precedent
of conducting the fiscal transactions of
the state on cash basis and its failure
to levy sufficient tax to meet the cur
rent expenses of the state government
thereby creating the impression that
taxes were low when, in reality, the
expenditure of the state government ex
ceeded that of any other period in the
states history and no sufficient pro-
vision was made for the payment of
the enormous outlay The total deficit
will be sufficient to justify the state.
ment thst the total expenditures for
the state government of Idaho for the
last two years amounted to more than
100000.
He then enlightens them that this is
raised to govern only 100000 people,
and indicates that is no wonder he is
charged to present the message to the
legislature that the taxes are too high.
"They must be reduced and by one
half and he continues:
81 am here in behalf of the people of
the state of Idaho to recommend to
you that the amount of money re-
quired for the running of the state
government for the next two years
years should be 100000 less than
they were in l9l3-l914, that the
amount of money to be levied by your
honorable body as direct tax upon the
people of the state should be, at least,
$1,000,000 less than was levied in house
bill 49, chapter 1877, Session laws of
1913 or the preceding two years. That
the million dollars to be saved in the
running expenses of the state govern
ment should be kept by the taxpayer
and that he receive the benefit of the
economy practiced."
Interest and Sinking Fund.
In this regard it is pointed out that
the last Legislature authorized levy
of mills per annum, for sinking fund
purpose, which would have raised $500,
600 per amman but the law was ignored
and perhaps rightfully as it would have
bankrupted the people.
Interest on bonds must be paid but
levy should not be made to pay more
than is necessary. The last board of
equalization failed to make levy to
pay 1914 interest of any kind and this
was taken out of the sinking fund to
pay interest amounting to $100,S67 so.
And this, states the governor, was
subterfuge used to deceive the tax
payer into believing his taxes We're
lower, when in reality levy will have
to be made to reimburse this fund in
the future. This absolute disregard of
the mandate of the law is wrong and
the blame should be placed where it be-
longs. The governor then advised that
presidents of the past should be for
gotten and that new procedure be
formed, and requests the cooperation
of the Legislature in this direction.
Continuing Appropriations.
The governor, as the first step in tax
reduction, recommends the repeal of
continuing appropriations of former
legislatures which are made to run con-
tinuously and names the game depart
ment, pure seed law, travelling expenses
of the attorney general, the state
militia and the bee inspector.
The legislation of this nature is vici-
Gus and should be repudiated, states the
fyovernor az Il has baan rapudiafad hy