The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-07-26
Strife Forms Barrier

DemOCfaJlC SLflIe IN Jne mouse Oh
representatives already has formed
a barrier which may block passage
of major relief bills, including in
come tax bills which, oddly enough,
would raise taxes.
Because all tax relief measures
originate in the house, it ap-
pears that all bills must stand a
political test before passing to the
Republican senate, where death al
most is certain.
Probably the leading issue Of the
tax relief session is the bOne-dry
law repeater passed Monday by the
house. 1t is classed as a tax relief
measure because it would eliminate
enforcement costs and would re-
plenish state Golfers by taxing me-
dicinal whisky.
Next in Importance in special ses-
sion business are bills pertaining to
operating costs and personnel of
state departments. Aside from
adjustment of few minor levies,
it appears to date that none of the
departments have been hampered
seriously by loss of funds.
Given More Funds
In one instance, the state police
department. threatened at first with
adjustment, was given more funds
and auth0Hty to hire 100 more per-
sons.
Another issue which passed IA
Vorably in the house but appears
certain of defeat in the senate, is
the intangibles tax bill which would
assess concealed property at 25 per
cent of its cash value. 1t would
draw millions on to tax duplicates
and reduce tax levies, accordingly,
its sponsors argue.
Two senate tax relief bills, one
placing a $3.50 maximum levy on
property and another slashing
budgets to two-thirds of the 1928
figure, are certain to be killed in the
house.
Probably the most significant
measure passed in the house for re-
lief of cities and towns is the gas
tax and license fee redistribution
bill. reducing the states share in the
$4,000 900 fund 25 per cent and in
creasing shares of cities. Passage OF
this bill was accompanied by bitter
debate between representatives from
rural district and population centers
Suspend State Levies
Persons unable to pay taxes would
be relieved by the Weiss delinquent
tax moratorium bill providing for
payment in installments delinquent
of taxes in 1929, 1880 and 1881, which
was passed in the house and now
awaits senate action.
Among state levies which may be
suspended by the assembly are the
War Memorial mills levy and the
2 cents educational improvement
fund levy. These measures would
save thousands of dollars annually.
Five bills reducing salaries in in
dividual counties have passed the
house. If made laws, the measures
will reduce levies only in the par
ticular counties. Both houses, how
ever. hesitate to deal further with
problems of individual localities.
other minor levies abolished in
the house include the mandatory
county fair association levies and
the mandatory cemetery road build
ing law Neither measure, if en-
acted, appreciably would reduce
taxes.
Three Bills on Utilities
The house has before it three bills
dealing with public utilities. These
regulating rate-making and giving
cities right to ownership, appear
likely to receive favorable action, at
least in the house.
OF the total of $50 bills intro
duced in both houses, 215 in the
lower house and lis in the senate,
nearly seventy-flve have been acted
on or face tests soon. Committees of
both houses are struggling to weed
out" bills Of lesser Importance.
In the house, four bills with po-
Iitical complications have been post
poned indefinitely, four have been
killed outright in committee, five
have been withdrawn and two have
failed to pass. The latter two are
the blanket 81 poll tax on all per-
sons between 81 and so, and the
Evans-Stein measure prohibiting
sale of property for delinquent taxes.