The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1933-02-16
COUNCIL OPPOSES
STATE CONTROL OF
TAX EXPENDITURES
Dozens of Bills Before State
Legislature Would Effect
Taxpayers Here
SENATE VOTES FEE CUT
Strengthening of Political Ma
chimes Seen in Bell
Bill i'm Senate

Dozens of bills now being consider
ed by the state legislature are Of in
terest to every citizen and taxpayer
and would effect all sections of the
state.
Among these is a measure known
as Senate File 400, introduced by
Robert C. Bell of Detroit Lakes, which
would give the state tax commission
control over expenditures of cities,
villages, towns, counties and school
districts. Under the provisions of
the bill ten taxpayers, who may live
either in the subdivision or outside,
could petition the commission for
hearing on tax levies, bond issues and
improvement programs. The commits
sion would have control over expen-
ditures of all minor divisions of gov
eminent, even to fixing the salaries of
fremen, policemen, school teachers
and other public employees.
Resolution Passed
This measure was opposed in re-
solution adopted by the city council
Tuesday night which will be sent to
the governor and senators and re-
representatives. from this district. OPP
ponents of the bill see in it an op-
portunity for political bosses to tight
en- their control and build up strong
er political machines. They declare
that the condition of state affairs
does not indicate that state officials
are any more consistent in practicing
economy than officials of smaller
governing units. Friends of the bill
argue that it will make for economy.
In a measure passed by the senate
Tuesday by vote of As to 10, auto
mobile license fees would be cut in
half from top to bottom. The house
has similar bill which does not cut
the basic rate but reduces the mini
mum fees to So and 81. This meas
ure is favored by the governor. Since
Redwood county has 6,731 vehicles re-
.gistered at cost of $81,887.12, the
senate measure would save the tax
payers here more than $4,000 if it
became law.
The senate also has approved bill
to allow payment of real estate taxes
in four installments, payable April l,
June 1, September l and November /.
Want School Money
Another bill before the legislature
which has some support would divert
part of the gas tax and automobile
and game and fish license fees to
fund for schools, besides placing ad-
ditional taxes on cigarets, cigars,
shows and playing cards and divert
ing 20 per cent of all fines into
school fund.
Most of the redistricting bills I'M
der consideration allow Redwood
county to remain in the second dis
trict although other counties of the
old second would be shifted to the
seventh, leaving Redwood on the
outside edge. Counties so transfer
red would be replaced with counties
from other districts.
Among measures to increase state
revenues are several bills taxing
chain stores from $50 to $1,000 per
store which would effect many Red
wood Falls stores. Other measures
would cut appropriations for fairs,
roads and dozens of other activities
now partially financed by the state.
Redwood county officials are af-
fected by an act of the state legisla-
ture cutting mileage of all state and
county employees from seven to five
cents a mile and eliminating the
charge for extra passengers. Among
those whose allowances will be lower
are the commissioners, Sheriff L. j.
.Kise and his deputies and any other
official who is paid for travel.