The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1920-12-24
Leastwise Budget Commission
VIII Make Such Recommends
aiog'to General Assembly.
COMPLAIN OF HIGH TAXES
In Solving Taxing Problems Perma-
ncnt improvements Will he
FOregone Next Year-Will Re.
quire Levy OF. II Mills On
Taxable Property.

AApOAC AEOPSTAys
COLUMBIA. s. c., Dec. 23.-The
state budget commission will recon-
mend an appropriation OF approx
mately $7,0OO.0OO for the operation
of the state government, its depart
ments and institutions for 1921.
This will be a decrease OF about two
and one-half million dollars from the
estimates submitted to. 1t, which to-
tailed $9,86S,2O6 This would
mean levy OF approximately IA
mills on a valuation of between s44s,-
100000 and $3.50, 900 900 in tangible
property. as estimated by the state
tax commission. This levy. however.
could be reduced because of the mon
eys from other sources which must
be turned into the state treasury un-
der the budget law.
II have not yet completed my
study of our 1921 budget in all of
its Details" stated Governor .Cooper.
chairman OF the commission TODAY.
when questioned relative to the fax
agitation in the state at present. but
l will recommend a reduction of an
preparations from the year, 1920.
with the exception OF the appropria-
sion for the public schools. I am
satisfied further that with other rec
concentrations which will be SUBMIT
ed to the legislature. the levy of
1921 can. and will, be materially re-
duced. expect to discuss this whole
question in detail in my annual mes
~Saee.n~~-- ~
While he has made no statement
TO the effect. It is understood that
the governor will ask the general
essen bly, to propose a bond issue to
! the people In referendum cleo
tion. f-ei issue to cover ten years
of permanent improvements. The
theory is that to arrive at an ade-
Nauate estimate OF the wants of the
sate along permanent lines. a COM
mission OF engineers should be ap-
=
the wants OF each institution and ac-
.tivity and report in detail to the leg
1slative bodies before the election is
sordered.
Along this line II can be authori-
tatively stated that the budget com
mission will turn its face for any
appropriation for permanent i'm
provements for 1921, this. OF course,
Including new buildings at state in
stitutions OF higher learning and
state-operated charitable and cor
rectfonal activities.
There Is a cry throughout the
state at the present time for relief
from the burdens OF taxation, and
there have been many and various
remedies suggested. but most OF
them have been from the wrong an
gle. The general cry seems to be
that the burden Is from the state
| government. Even a casual analysis
LOT the states finances shows that.
Fshould all but purely governmental
functions acting for the people az
whole, be eliminated, South Carolina
could be operated on about a one
mill levy. or $513,877.16. using the
figures for expenditures in. 1919. the
only ones available at this time. OF
this amount. $288.296.41 is for the
axscutive department, $155.295.34
lfor the judiciary and $70,28641 for
'She legislative branch.
tiThe fact Of the matter is that the
~ burden for taxation is from
eonnties. mostly in levies for
n purposes voted by the people
efves. and from the munich
For instance. the city OF
W pays 91-mill levy. the
fnmbia, II 1-2 mills: the
tenvflle, 81 mills and the
Ter SO "a mills. OF these
~ills are for the state.
.Nperty in Charleston
San Sumter, $6.OS1,-
.Se, ss,2s5.756. and
a. esSf1 lni1s;l