, 1921-01-20
DEALS WITH STATES AFFAIRS IN
FoRcEFuL AND MAsTERLY
MANNER.
HIS THIRD MESSAGE
ENDORSES BUDGET INCREASE OF
s1s5, ss5. 6e-sTATE IRRIeA-
TON ADVOCATED.

This is the third ime during my
term of office that l have had the ION
or to deliver a message to a Wyoming
Legislature, and 1t is the first time in
b history of the state that the Legis-
lature has met on three occasions dur
ing the one term of any executive.
The Budget.
/ find that the amount asked for is
S1o5, SS566 over the amount appropri-
ated by the last Legislature. However,
1t should be borne in mind that while
this is an increase over the o
last appropriated, considering the fact
that the assessed valuation of the
state has increased from S29S, 53S, 1852
in 1918 to S429,S86 ,617 in 1920 the in
crease is small in proportion to the in
crease in the assessed valuation of the
state.
While / believe 1t would be unwise to
cut off all appropriations that might
assist in the development Of the state,
we must ever be mindful of the diff
culties many of our citizens are hav-
ing in avoiding bankruptcy and should
strive TO make the burdens of taxation
as light as possible.
Taxation.
In most instances but a small por-
ton of the money raised by taxation is
necessary for the support of the state
government, but the major portion of 1t
goes TO the support of the counties,
school districts, and Incorporated
towns and cities. An example of good
management by county commissioners
Is that of Laramie county, where the
assessed valuation is $4,000, 1872 S,
n under the law, the county commits
sioners could levy a maximum levy of
9.45 mills. Yet the levy in this county
Is but 125 mills, which raises for gen.
eral county purposes $34, 1914. In Al
bany county, where the assessed valu-
alton is considerably less, there is a
levy of 365 mills and the amount
raised for general county purposes is
$1OO,0S3-5S. Natrona county, which
has the highest assessed valuation in
the state, has a levy for general county
purposes of 400 mills, which will pro-
vide nearly 100000 for tbs coming
year. Counties like Washable and
Weston have a levy of 9 mills and the
o S of their government, while they
have comparatively small valuation, is
greater a in Laramie county,. In or
der that more economy may be prac-
C in he different counties of the
state 1t would seem that them maximum
amour which the counties may levy
should be reduced In all counties hav-
iht dh hccccStu NdluhllOn Ol over GlO,-
100000.
While we have an inheritance tax
law, 1t is lot bringing in the revenue
that 1t would If properly administered.
In many instances this tax is either
not collected or only a small portion
of II. We need a new law, the same
TO be administered by the state rather
than by the counties, and q law of the
right kind will add greatly to the
revenue of the state.
This year has demonstrated the ne
cissity of making 1t possible so that
people can pay their taxes in w in
stallments. There are many cases
where 1t Is impossible for some to pay
the full amount at this time and they
will have ito become delinquent IL not
paid before December 31st of the last
year. / would recommend hat our
present law be so amended that taxes
may be paid in two installments of
so per cent each on December 3lst
and June Both and that provisions be
made so that those who have already
paid so per cent of their taxes shall
not be ciassed as delinquents.
OIL and Gas Leasing Bill.
Under the provision of what Is
known as the oil and gas leasing bill
as enacted by the asst Congress, the
state will receive certain royalties
from oil and gas produced on govern
ment lands. Fol- that which was pro-
duced previous to the passage of his
act, the proceeds from which have
been i~mpounded, the state will receive
% per cent of the governments roy-
atty. 1t is estimated that the amount
Of money ~impounded from the pro
ceeds from h oil produced on these
lands is $11,250,0O0, of which the
states share, basing the same on 20
Der cent Of a 20per cent royalty re-
ceived by the government will be $780,
900 II is impossible for anyone 10
accurately estimate the probable reve-
nue. that the state will receive as its
future share In royalties from oil and
gas produced on government land, but
from what figures as 1 have been able
TO obtain the states income from the
source for the coming year should
o to about S202.5 500 n month, or
S2,430,OOO for the year. Adding to
this $4,000 from impounded money
would mean a total of ver three mil
lion dollars.
Under the provisions OF this act
these royalties can be used either for
the building OF highways or for edu.
cational purposes. While we have a
right II we so desire TO spend this
money as fast as II is received for the
purposes specified II would be n very
grave mistake TO establish such n pre-.
cedent, as not only would Il lead to
extravaganza but the sources from
which they are being derived are no
unlimited and the oil and gas within
tho state viii not last forever. 1 be.
heve that the greater proportion OF
this money should go into permanent
funds for the support of the common
schools. On account of the necessity |
for tightening the burden OF taxation |