The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1916-10-21

In the success of the proposed constE
tulional amendment relating TO the
creation OF the board OF state affairs
and the abollshment Of both The state
board Of appraisers and the state board
Of equalization II the new board should
be created, | believe that the result OF
its efforts would be more beneficial to
the state Of Louisiana than has arisen
from any other single amendment that
has been naugurated Ia this state
during tie past 50 years.
This board will have the right and
authority 10 assess all assessable prep.
critics IN The state for state purposes
leaving to the individual assessors OF
each parish the right and authority to
assess all assess8ble properties for
local purposes.
The right of local self government
will not be- nterfered with.
The powers of the state board OF
appraisers and Of the state board OF
equalization will be transferred to lhe
board OF state Affairs
The requirement tn article 225 Of the
constitution that all properties must
be assessed al their cash value viii be
omitted In the amendment TO The con
stttution. II Il Is adopted. and property
will BIZ assessed by the board Of state
affairs, Tor state purposes. and by the
assessors. for local purposes, not neees'
saFtly ut lis cash value bat at value,
at or below the cash value, ~ Will be
sufficient TO raise enough money to
meet the expenses Of the state govern.
ment on the one hand, and Of the local
subdivisions Of the state government
on the other
The parish assessor for the purpose
Of parish, school road and other local
taxes, may place upon all properties an
assessment valuation Of only p per
cent OF the states valuation, II such a
local assessment be all that Is required
to raise sufficient money for local puf
poses. For instance. II the states as.
sessment upon a piece Of property In
Cameron parish Is 500, the assessor
OF that parish may assess the same
property at valuation as low a. s25
for local purposes, II that IL all that Is
required Ia meet the needs Of the local
governmental units of course, all
other properties must be assessed al
the same ratio
The board OF state affairs amendment
60 the constitution coutemplates a con
tnuance of the payment Of taxes by all
assessable properties both 10 the state
government and to It's political subdI
visions as Is The case now, the princ}
pal point In this new legislation being
that the board Of state affairs viii have
the power to assess for state purposes
and viii have real and effective power
TO equslfze assessments
The police juries. Is boards Of re-
view. will still retain all of their rights
and powers
The taxpayer viii retain all Of bis
rights aud authority 10 appear before
the board Of reviewers and the board
OF state affairs, and to appeal TO the
courts II he should feel that he Is
uBiustlg assessed
| wish further to state that, II the
board Of state affairs amendment should
carry. II viii be my purpose 10 ask the
legislature In 1918 to submit another
constitutional amendment TO the people
OF the state reducing the rate Of state
taxation from maximum Of six mills
to maximum OF not more than four
mills, and possibly We may tx the
maximum al three and onehalf mills
In addition to the power Of assess
ment fer state purposes given to the
hoard Of state affairs, IL will have the
authority 10 collect data from all of the
public institutions Of the state so as TO
ascertain the needs Of these various
and upon which data il
can recommend TO the legislature a
budget This budget Ii not binding
upon the legislature. bat II viii be Of |
great value to that body In determining |
the appropriations that should be made |
in order that our educational, hospital |
deaf and dumb blind and other lnsti |
tations may not lauguish. bat be sus.
tanned and developed In proportion 10
their real needs and In proportion 10 |
The progress, dignity, and patriotism
of a great people and a great state.
The board will alse be required
I'D To investigate duplication of
work Of public bodies. the efficiency of
he organization and administration Of
such public bodies aud 20 formulate
md recommend 10 the general assembly