Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-11
TAX BURDENS HIT
J BY MANY STATES
National Realty Body Reports
Varied Steps-North Caro-
lima Law New.

North Carolina has a new law de-
signed to limit government debt and to
cut local government costs, New Jer-
sey officials want budget control, In
diana has it. and California has put a
clamp on special assessments the Ma
tional Association of Real Estate Boards
reported today
Interested in tax adjustment on be-
half Of private property owner members
of its national property owners d.
vision. the association has been watch
ing efforts of several States to achieve
all possible reduction Of the tax bur-
den.
The North Carolina law. hailed by
one expert as new to American expert
ence," is known as the local govern
ment act. 1t was passed in March. bLS
several strengthening amendments were
added later
This statute gives power to a new
commission to pass on all municipal
bonds or notes from the point of view
of whether they are necessary or eX-
pedient; authorizes the supervision of
sinking funds from the point of view
OF having proper security behind them :.
and creates new officer known as a
municipal accountant. who must o. K.
all local Expenditures.
In passing upon proposed issues the
commission also is given authority. I'M
der the new law, to take into conSidera-
ton the amount of the community'S
outstanding Indebtedness. the tax rates
necessary TO maintain sinking funds
adequately, and the adequacy or in
adequacy Of the amount of the pro-
posed issue for the accomplishment of
the purpose for which the obligations
are to be issued. and whether such
amount is excessive"
favorable vote at an election can
override any decisions on bonds or
notes.
Another important provision Of this
act requires CT les and towns to have
an annual tax levy sufficient 10 meet
the annual appropriations, including
deficits, amounts necessary for debt
payments and probable delinuuencies in
tax collections. No contracts, orders,
warrants. acquisitions. etc. are col
1ectible unless they are approved by the
accountant"
The New Jersey Commission on
County and Municipal Taxation and
expenditure has recommended the es-
adjustment OF a bureau of standards
and costs in the Department of Mu-
niclpal Accounts. with the idea that the
new bureau call attention to the eXpendi-
ture of excessive sums and also that
the new bureau investigate local con-
0ltlonS when taxpayers contest a pro-
pSt,Id SNpCileS. IliS pIdn Will come
before the Legislature at the next ses-
sion
The Indiana plan" provides for the
creation of a Board of Tax Commits
sioners, who, If petitioned by 10 tax
papers. can forbid. affirm or decrease
tax levieS. The petitioning ones must
be other than those paying poll tax
only. In this State 10 taxpayers. also
may ask the board TO investigate pro-
posed bond issues or other evidences of
Indebtedness and the decision of this
body on whether the bonds are issued
and their amounts is final Petitioning
taxpayers must be people who will be
affected by the proposed issue
In California new special assess
ment law, signed by the Governor this
month, limis the amount that can be
assessed against property to one-half
OF the true value of a parcel of realty.
and VIII not permit any assessment
which. added 10 all outstanding assess
mentS IN the district, totals more han
one-haf OF the true value of the land
in the district. unless it can be ascer-
tanned by a four-fitths vote of the
legislative body that the proposed
project is feasible and that lands in
the district are able to carry the bur-
oen al the proposed assessments The
law further provides that a ma jority
protest. prior TO time work on i'm
provement is ordered. bars for one wear
any portion OF the work protested
against .