Evening star., 1924-09-20

programs, applying to the individ-
ual States the general objectives Tor
the advancement of real estate inter-
eSts outlined by the National ASso-
citation of Real Estate Boards, are
now being formulated in large
number of States, particularly with
reference to possible action at coming
sessions of State legislatures" says
the association in a recent communi-
cation.
"Taxat ton reform, particularly in
the adjustment to fair tax diStribu-
tion and further strengthening of ex-
isting license protection, are meas
ures which will be major objectives
in a number of States Two States,
Michigan and California, through
their State real estate associations,
have already outlined complete tenta-
tive Legislative programs for the
year. The Indiana Real Estate Asso-
citation at its recent annual conven-
tion has undertaken a legislative pro-
gram involving a check on State tax
expenditure and the drafting of a
State real estate license law.
Taxes Reduced in New York.
Reduction of % per cent in the real
estate property tax of New York State
was secured by legislative enactment
during the past year, an accomplish
Association of Real Estate Boards
had large part Passage of budget
ing act for Iowa is another typical
Accomplishment of the last State leg
1slative period in which realtors through
their State organization took the lead"
the report states
Limitation of State taxation and
possibly of local levies by a consti-
tutional amendment is the corner
stone of the Michigan Real Estate
Associa tion's Legislative program for
the year, as it has been outlined by
the executive committee of the asso-
citation. Tightening up the State
license law by an amendment provid-
- ing for a competency test is another
major measure in the associations
legislative program.
The report indicates that the pro-
posed amendment would designate
the current year as the basic year in
reck oning all future tax levieS, and
would provide that except in event of
emergency the total amount of taxes
levied by the State Legislature in any
one year upon taxable real estate and
personal property should in no case
exceed the amount so raised in the
year of passage of the amendment
plus 2 per cent of that amount for
each calendar year that may have
elapsed between the basic year and
the year in which the levy is made.
1t would provide that the legislature
by two-thirds vote of members
elected may declare that an emer
gency exists and that additional
taxes may be raised annually for any
number of years not exceeding two.
Provision Up i'm Michigan.
The proposed Michigan constitutional
provision for limiting the amount of
State taxation has been made the objec-
tive of the State real estate aSSocia-
ton following an extensive study two
years ago of the tax laws of every
State A joint resolution to submit a
taX-limitation amendment to the voters
at that time passed the House by good
margin. but failed of passing the Sem
ate. State taxes in Michigan. the COM
Tnittee points out, have increased ap-
proXimately 200 per cent in the past
ten years. Had the proposed amendment
been in force during that time real es-
tate taxes could have increased only
20 per cent.
Government costs will continue to
climb the report adds. IF this amend
ment is written into the constitution it
will result in annual savings of millions
of dollars in the years to come
Another objective CT the State asSo-
ciation's legislative program is the aboli-
tion in Michigan, so far as possible by
State Jaw, of taX-exempt securities. An
education qualification examination
for all new applicants for license as