The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1930-10-01
Flood of Bills Forecast at Lsgis-
lature. Candidates Pledge
Help for Amendment

State income tax is looming as the
leading legislative issue in Minneso-
ia elections, says the Murray County
Herald. 1t is being brought forward
by several of the veteran members
of both houses, who are promising to
vote for submission of an income tax
amendment if they are elected.
The outlook is for a flood of tax
bills in the legislature this winter.
There will be income tax bills, sales
tax bills, bills to tax cigarettes and
other luxury items, and bills to work
out settlement of the bank tax mud
die. Bills to tax "chain" stores are
expected.
The big issue is the income tax,
which requires an amendment to the
state constitution. The next legisla-
ture could only submit the amend
ment, and it then would be voted on
by the people at the 1882 election.
that would make it a live issue for
two years and a task for still an
other legislature if the amendment
passed. Popular approval is doubt
full, however as there is prejudice
against new forms of taxation, and
similar amendment failed when SUBJ
mitted several years ago.
Income tax advocates are taking
new tack in Minneapolis this time.
Senator James A Carley Of Plainview,
Otto Neuman of Wheaton and others
are proposing an income tax to re-
ieve real estate Of part of its present
heavy tax burden. Mr.. Neuman, who
has been chairman Of the house COM
mittee on taxes at recent sessions,
calls the plan a Reimbursement" in
come tax.
The idea is that any income tax
paid by an owner of real property
would be allowed as a credit on his
real estate taxes. In most cases,
therefore, property owners would pay
no additional taxes, but other would
be reached by the income tax. The
income tax would be divided up
ameng the state and local units of
government, the same as property
taxes.
Senator Carley and Senator Gustaf
Widell of Mankato are talking in
come tax in their campaigns and
Senator Carley has plan he would
put through without waiting for pass
age of an income tax amendment.
He outlined it at meeting of first
district editors recently. He favors
a gross sales tax, to raise some $780,
100000 year, and to be used to cut
down the general property tax. He
also would impose luxury taxes. He
claims that these special taxes would
make it possible to cut down other
taxation 40 TO so per cent.
The Minnesota Tax payer Associa-
ton opposes the income tax and
other new forms of taxation, on the
ground that they always lead to in
creased expenditures and do not
tighten anyone's tax burden. They
point to the Wisconsin experience,
where at first the income tax was
made in lieu Of personal property
taxes but where later on it was found
that more money was needed and
personal taxes were imposed again.
The minnesota Farm bureau FED
Grafton is for an income tax. The
plea Is made that property taxes are
eecoming con .ec..tory and that. many
are escaping taxation who ought to
ts part III Carrying puDiic burdens.
THIS subject promises 10 develop one
Of the major legislative tattles Of
next winter. -.-iA
The cigarette tax bill, which was
defeated last time after a hard fight,
is being urged again by hay +. Dunn
of Otter Tail County, and is expect
ed to come up again at the 1881 ses-
sion.