The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-07-06
State Makes
Good Record
In Finances
Budget Is Balanced For Two
Consecutive Years, Says
Governor Ayers.
HAS ALSO REDUCED
PROPERTY TAX LEVIES

HELENA-When the Treasure
states fiscal period ended June 30
fer budget had been balanced for
two consecutive years and a small
balance remained in the general
fund-the first time such a condi-
flon, had existed for Fl years, ac-
cordlng to a statement by Cover
nor Roy E. Ayers.
In addition to cutting expenses to
meet income during the last year,
the state government retired ST..
J67 All in bonds Another saving
was effected in refunding S632,000
IN capitol building bonds that had
been outstanding so years for three
quarters of one per cent interest
Inc lowest rate on any bonds sold
by the state, the governor said.
To-day, the credit of the state has
been firmly re-established," Gov
ernor Ayers said. sale of the CAPT.
tol building bonds removed the only
blot on our current financial picture
-. Nobody can now point to any
delinquency in state financial aft
fairs that will place a penalty on
taking advantage of credit necessary
to meet our obligations
According to records of State Ac-
countant William Hosking, planning
and trimming of expenses by Gov
ernor Ayers appointive depart
ments is directly responsible for
the sound financial condition of the
state. As we enter the new fiscal
year, the state departments over
which | have control have instruc-
tons to watch the dollars, to save
wherever possible and to keep this
state in its present sound financial
condition. the governor said.
He pointed out that in the fiscal
year 1867 the state received 1918
cents out of every property tax dol
lar for the greater university sys-
tenn, educational bonds and the gem
eral fund. In 1888 the state share
was reduced to 7.86 cents a trim
ming of rs per cent.
It is true that we have some de-
partments, such as relief and public
welfare, in which we have needed
more money than was available, ;"
Governor Ayers said. I'VE hope to
be able to expand that service to
our people. 1t was only a little
more than two years ago that this
service was created. 1t has helped
d great deal to bring orderly pro-
ceedings out of former uncertain
conditions. 1t is better to have
modest beginning that works than
mere promises that only add to
chaos"
Fire governor said that the de
mand for state government aid has
increased rapidly during the last 10
years, and that county and school
governments are requiring more
state assistance than ever before.
1t is only by good management that
this aid has been given and the
financial affairs of this state kept
on sound basis without imposition
of taxes that would amount to con-
fiscation," he added.
In the last year the state received
81, 100000 from counties as its share
If property tax collections, while
in the same period the state re-
turned $3,968,000 to the counties,
the governor said. In contrast, the
state received S2,047 900 from coun-
ties in 1922, and returned only
$1,512,800
I'VE have been able to reduce
general state property levies while
placing our state debts on a firm
base and at the same time we have
continued to expand our assistance
to countless" Governor Ayers con-
Guided