The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1937-07-01
NEWS BEHIND THE NEWS IN
THE STATE LEGISLATURE

Home by Christmas" was the
hope of the overseas veterans
some twenty years ago, and home
by July Bird is the hope of the
members Of the legislature, but
this correspondent is not so sure
that such will be the case. Things
have happened the past week that
may extend the extraordinary ses-
sion far into the sumner, if not in
to the fall.
The thing I refer to is the deter
mination of administration lieuten-
ants to exact pound of flash"
They are out to force, if possible
an extra twelve or fourteen million
dollars out Of the taxpayers pock-
ct and into the state treasury.
They are trying to carry out their
well laid plans through amend
ments in the Senate to the several
House tax bills. iS
The Senate Tax committee, after
long and careful study, Is of the
opinion that the State can meet its
obligations during the next two
years and balance the budget with
Approximately $2O,0OO,O0O additional
revenue. The administration sup
porters still insist on some $34, 00O,-
600. Therein lies the disagreement
that in all probability will cause a
deadlock and which may carry the
session into late summer, fall or
winter.
Not a single House bill has been
up for consideration, but amend
ments raising the rates have been
offered. An examination Of the
amendments proves conclusively
that they were written by the
same person and in the same Of
flee. In every instance the authors
name has been written in in pen
and ink, whereas individual
amendments are usually written in
by typewriter. All Of these amend
ments have been voted down by
the Senate, the majority group
practically without exception OPP
posing them and the administra-
ton forces voting solidly for them.
These tax bills are recommend
ed by the Senate Tax committee,
therefore, go back to the House
and as these lines are being
written conference committees are
endeavoring to arrive at agree
ment with the House conferees.
The Senate has a great advan-
tage for on July LIST there will be
no available funds for several i'm
portant state departments, notably
the Board Of Education. Likewise
the Senate can, and undoubtedly
will, hold up the appropriation for
relief. Since money talks" and the
Senate will to stick tight" 1t Is
apparent that it is an endurance
contest with the odds in favor Of
the upper body.
The desire Of Governor Benson
to clean house in the Highway de-
partment has been stopped at least
to some extent by the federal gov
eminent. In order to qualify for
federal grants for highway purpos-
es the state entered into an agree
ment as to the personnel Of certain
departments within the highway
department, more especially the
planning department. The moment
two Of the members Of the plan
ming board were ousted the gov
eminent served notice that 100000
now available would be withheld
and that other amounts involving
greater amounts better than ST.
100000 might also be held up
pending an Investigation. The
Governor, however, has reinstated
the two planning board members.
In the future he will doubtless pro-
coed with greater caution.
That the farm help problem Is q
vital one was stressed in a resolu-
ton authored by this writer and
Rep. Nielsen, in the House. The
resolution cites the fact that farm
help Is now scarce and that relief
workers are refusing to quit the
relief rolls and accept farm en-
ployment. With a bumper crop In
prospect farmers Of Minnesota will
find themselves in q bad way II
help cannot be had. The purpose
Of the resolution, therefore, IL to