Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-01-08
MONTANA LEGISLATURE
UNDER WAY At HELENA
Twenty-Second Biennial Session Has
Many Problems But Quit Time
Is Expected


Helena.-The twenty-second Mon
tana Legislative session started on its
go day task last Monday, and although
both the senate and the house are
overwhelmingly Republican with q
Democratic governor political obser-
vers look for a quiet time.
Scores of proposed measures al
ready are in evidence, but the indi-
cations are that the 1881 legislature
will not be confronted with some OF
the big issues" of former sessions.
Among the proposed measures to
come before the legislature is one
concerning the passage of budget
law for cities and school districts
legislation similar to that which il
accredited with having wrought II
vast improvement in the financial
condition and operation of most
counties.
The state board of examiners fol-
lowing the recommendation of the
last senate, has prepared budget
bill for submission to the legislature.
The bill lists all appropriations,
makes definite allotments to each in
stitution, department and state of
flee from the general fund. and pro-
vides for expenditure of depart
mental earnings as available.
Each legislator has been given a
full account Of the proposed tax de-
benture plan which would enable Mon
tana to build approximately 1920
miles of highway during the next
four years with federal aid
The plan, contemplating the issu-
ance Of warrants against the antici
pated collection from The fve-cent
gasoline tax, has found wide favor
throughout the state
A strong group Of central Montana
senator's and representatives plan q
concerted effort to obtain construct
ton of road from Forsyth through
Roundup, Ryegate, Harlowton, and
Townsend to Helena.
Commissioner of Lands /. M.
Brandiord will ask the legislature to
transfer the remaining form loans
from the state school fund to the
ctate general fund, because the loans
do not constitute satisfactory in
vestment for the school fund"
The proposed changes in the jury
laws providing for the eligibility Of
women to hear trials, are being SUPP
ported by many groups Of women and
by others inclined to the liberal view
which has grown in recent years.
There will be an attempt to repeal
the real estate licensing laws pro-
vision permitting one sale before the
license is issued. Also, ! law re-
quiring insurance agents to take a
state examination will be offered.
Both measures originate with the
Montana Association Of Real Estate
Dealers and Insurance Men.
Walter R. Flachsenhar Of Prairie
county has the honor of being speak
er of the house, w. B. Leavitt Of
Custer floor leader and Steve Arnold
of Saltwater, president protein. All
are veterans of several sessions.
Flachsenhar was majority floor leader
in 1929 and was prominent in party
councils during his three previous
terms. He is resident of Terry,
where he is engaged in the practice of
law
One mooted question before sew
eral past assemblies will be missing
from the program this year. O. D.
Speer of Red Lodge, former presi-
dent Of the Montana Educp.ion as
ISOLATION, says teachers pension
law will not be offered unless there
is more demand than has been evil
denced thus far.
Senator w. M. Ruffcorn Of Valley
county believes the difference in the
price of gasoline between Montana
and neighboring states is a matter
for legislative study.
Outside the financial program, the
legislature will have 43 bills offered
by the state crime commission, deal
ing with various proposals for speed
ing court procedure. Outstanding
among these are proposals for new
penal Institution to care for first Of
tenders, recodihcation of the juvenile
court act, for establishment of
state bureau of criminal identified
ton, permitting district judges to
comment on evidence and to examine
jurors and reforming the insanity de-
Tense procedure.
Appropriations this year will be
based on new view of the state levy.
For the last 10 years there has been
available 81 mills for state purposes
Of which | n mills was authorized by
initiative for support of the state
university. In November, this mill
and half special levy was replaced.
by initiative again. with 3mill levy,
Since enactment of the first university
levy, two units have been added to
the university system. These are ia
be cared for under the 3-mill levy n
we'll Is extension and experiment sta