Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1922-03-17
MORE POWERS ADVOCATED FOR
TAX ASSESSORS.
Senator Clinton Would Cut Author.
ity of Louisiana Tax Commission
By Ralph G. lie Blond in New Or
leans Item.

BY Ralph G. lie Blond in New Or
leans Item.
With the general assembly of
louisiana scheduled to meet early in
Nay for the last regular session OF
he Parker administration, members
# the legislature are already incu-
,ating changes in present state acts,
to the new constitution
Or new LEGISLATION.
Members Of the house and senate
were sent a QUESTIONABLE by the
writer, requesting their views to any
new legislation that should be passed,
what changes should be made in ex-
listing laws, or in the new constitu-
ton. M.
Questions Asked Members
The members Of the legislature
were asked:
"What new legislation, if any,
should be passed at the coming
session?
"What present laws should be
changed in part or repealed?
SIS the present state highway
bill satisfactory? If not, what
changes would you suggest?
"What is your position on the
proposed change Of the severance
tax from 2 to 8 per cent?
"Are you preparing any legis-
lation on taxation? Or in salary
reduction?
"Have you in mind any needed
amendments to the new consti-
tution?"
Members of both houses are re-
plying to The Items invitation to
present their views prior to the open
ing of the session. The first Of these
replies, received from Senator George
Clinton, Of st. Joseph, representing
the goth senatorial district, strikes
as its keynote, relief to the taxpay-
ers from the excessive tax burdens
they have ben carrying for years
past.
Senator Clinton's Reply.
Senator Clinton would curb the
powers Of the Louisiana State TAI
commission and enlarge the powers Of
the local assessors and boards OF
equalization. In the opinion of Sen
ator Clinton the legislature coult
well spend its entire 60 days on thu
problem Of tax relief.
81 think" says Senator Clinton
''the legislature should go slow il
the passage Of new laws, as we hav'
more than enough at present. Tn
time Of the legislature could be vel
spent in trying to perfect some O.
the existing legislation, or in amend
ing laws so as to make them NOR
perfect.
The most important proposition t
be considered, or which should b
considered, and properly solved, is +
give some genuine relief to the over
burdened taxpayers Of the state
Should the legislature spend the ful
session Of so days on this one prob
lem, it would be time well spent,
relief to the tax payers resulted.
"Under the present system to
much power is given to the Louisian
Tax Commission and not enough t
the local assessor and the local board
Of equalization.
"At present, the Louisiana Ia
commission divides agricultural land
into classes and fixes arbitrary va
uation on these. classes, taking tn
position that. Class A. agriculture
land is Class A land, whether tn
same be in cultivation or not, when
is often impossible for planters t
get sufficient labor to cultivate MOI
than one-half of their cultivatabl
lands. Thus one-half Of the propert
has to make sufficient revenue to pa
taxes on the whole. The result
that many plantations are assessed f.
more than they can possibly sell TO
while the actual taxes levied againl
the property is more than its rer
value.
"Any relief that comes to the Ia,
payer must come through the asses
ment Of property, on account Of loci
taxes which have been voted.
81 am not in favor Of the reductio
Of salaries unless it can be shown
some particular case that the salar
is too high. I know Of no salarie
which have been fixed either by Ii
constitution or by the Legislature
which are too high. Suppose we shout
60 even further than is proposed b
the Mississippi House and reduce sa
aries Of state officials $3.50, 900 pr
annum, this would amount to LEI
than one-tenth of a mill on the sta,
assessment, which would be too sma
to amount to any relief.
"Another question which should l
given consideration is change in Il
game laws. II it is the wish Of Il
people Of the state that wild gan
life should be protected, then a vel
great change should be made in Il
game law, and especially in the j