Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1929-03-21
OUTSTANDING ACTS
OF 1929 ASSEMBLY
School Equalization Fund Doubled;
Gasoline Tax Raised; Australian
Ballot; Workmen's Compensation;
Highway Patrol and Others

general assembly summarized:
School aid law-Providing Sc, ,5OO,-
600 to six months term, and 81 $780,
600 for aid of eight months term
special districts, for each year Of the
biennium. This is double the equali-
ing fund appropriated at the 1927
session. The act also prescribes ad-
illustrative changes intended to pro-
mote economy in the schools. A 80
cent participating levy is establish
ed.
County highway aid law-Increas-
es gasoline tax from four cents a
gallon to five, and creates a county
aid fund of approximately $3,00O,-
900 a year to be allotted to the 100
/ counties of the state on popula-
tion-area basis, on condition that
the counties reduce their ad valorem
taxes for roads by an amount equal
to their quota; also establishes a
$500,000 equalizing fund to be dis
bursed by the state highway COM
mission without regard to county or
| district lines.
Maintenance appropriation act
Authorizes expenditures of $38,000,-
600 for operation of state govern
ment and institutions during two
year period beginning July /.
Bond Issue
Permanent Improvements appro-
priation act-Authorize bond issue
of $1,972,OOO for building at state
educational and charitable institu-
tions.
Revenue act-Provides for in
creased franchise taxes on railroads
and power companies, the rates be-
ing doubled, and various otnAr in
creases, principal Y in business i
cense rates. Licence tax on soft
drink bottlers doubled.
Australian ballot law-Requires
secret voting in all primaries and
elections, but allows markers" to
be designated to assist illiterate
voters.
Workmen's compensation - Pro-
vides for compensation based upon
60 per cent of average weekly wage
OF injured employe, with minimum
of 81 a week and maximum of SIS
week, with limitation of $4,000
for compensation for daeth or per-
manent disability; sets up industrial
commission of three members to be
appointed by the governor to admin
lister provisions.
Executive counsel act-Abolishes
position of pardon commissioner, and
creates instead office of executive
counsel to governor, with salary of
$4,000 a year, who will perform
duties of pardon commissioner and
such other functions as may be as
signed to him by chief executive.
Senatorial vacancies - Authorize
governor to name successor in event
either of United States senators dies
or resigns before expiration of term,
successor to serve until next general
election.
Eugenics Measure
Sterilization Of mental detectives
Lays down method by which steri-
lization of mental detectives in pub
lie institutions may be ordered, and
also conditions upon which same
operation may be ordered for defec-
tives in institutions.
Highway patrol act-Establishes
force of SO patrolmen and one chief,
to be appointed by and serve under
the state highway commission, with
principal duty protection of high
ways against too heavily loaded
trucks and other abuses.
Aviation code-Series of five acts
setting forth regulations for the
operation of airports in the state.
Con titutinoal amendments -
Submitting to voters questions of
adding two associates justices to su-
preme court, thus increasing person
mel to seven; separation of solicitori-
al and judicial districts, and author
izing general assembly to classify
property for taxation with view to
taxing so-called intangibles.
Marriage Regulated
Marriage banns-Requires that
five days notice be given before ap-
plication for marriage license is
granted, but applies only to minors.
Bar examination-Restricts privi-
Eleges of standing state bar examina-
ton to natives of state and to bona
fide students of law in state institu-
tions.
Appointment of revenue commits