Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1923-04-04
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Legislature ~

Madison, WiS.-GOv. Blaine, in a
special message on Wednesday, March
%, submitted to the Wisconsin legis-
lature the tentative draft of a general
tax bill prepared by experts under his
direction
In the message accompanying this
document, the governor exhaustively
explained the changes of policy pro-
posed, and the legislation necessary
to effect them. Then followed vari-
Gus recommendations for promoting
governmental economy, including re-
duction of the appropriation for the
Wisconsin National guard, limitation
of highway construction and the con
solidation or cutting down of a mum
Der of state bodies.
In conclusion, he called for a step
in state legislation that brings about
unwarranted interference in local af
fairs, and severely arraigned certain
aspects of prohibition enforcement
Complies With Pledges
In submitting his tentative tax pro
gram, which is the first scientific and
inclusive attempt to reform and re
adjust the states taxation systems
since the passage of the income tax
law, the governor said:
mo claim is made for absolute per.
lection. There may be omissions
There may be provisions relating to
administration that ought to be nlodi-
fed 1t is claimed, however, that the
policies set forth are sound and in
compliance with the prediction
pledges of the dominant party of this
state"
After brief provisions that would
permit local, rather than state off
GERS, henceforth to undertake the
equalization of county, town, city and
local taxes, the primary purpose of
the administration bill is revealed.
This is to abolish the mill taxes
and all other special states taxes, and
the surtaxes on incomes, to the end
that but two systems of taxation may
remain; that is, taxes on real and
personal property for local purposes,
and income taxes for the support OF
the common and high schools of the
state, the University, the Normal
schools, and other educational needs.
Important Items in Message
The governors tax measure abol-
ishes all mill taxes and other special
state taxes on real and personal prop.
erty, effecting reduction of $685.
236.
Abolishes the surtax under the
teachers retirement fund, relieving
income tax payers of $1,000,O0O.
Increases exemption for children
and dependents from $500 to $500.
Increases exemptions, in effect, for
head of family and single person by
levying a u per cent rate on the
first $500 of taxable income, and 1
per cent on the second $500.
Raises rates on large incomes, but
stops with 10 per cent on the
twelfth $1,000 and all sums there
after.
Establishes rates on corporation in.
comes, ranging from 2 per cent on
the first $1,000 to Z per cent on all
incomes above $4,000.
Taxes dividends above $4,000 re-
ceived as income from corporations
at rates ranging from ~ per cent to
s per cent.
Raises $12,600,OO0, of which 20 per
cent goes for University and Normal
schools; 1913 per cent for common,
high and graded schools; and 1874
per cent to the towns, villages and
cities in which the tax is collected.
Counties to receive all revenues in
excess of S7,S00,000 collected under
the first two percentages.
Provides that the tax be paid in
three installments upon; making re
turn on July 1, and when paying local
taxes.
Retains personal property offset,
but suggests that it be allowed only
to the extent of one-half the amount
of taxes apportioned to the locality.
Creates a one-man tax commission
and reduces number of income tax as
SCISSORS from forty to ten; saving
$4,000.
Takes power of equalizing taxes of
cities, towns, counties and villages
and grants it to the localities.
Other recommendation
Reduce appropriation for Wisconsin
National Guard to sum under
$300,0 00
Hold state highway appropriation
under $S,0OO,000.
Transfer powers of state board of
education to state superintendent of
public instruction; saving $4,000.
Establish one-man commissions for
civil service and conservation; saving