The Redwood gazette., 1939-04-06
Legislative
SideLights
By H. E. Stoennes

me unusual happened last week
when the house passed the reor-
ganization bill in less than two
hours of debate. This sweeping re-
organization program that was
worked out after weeks of confer
ence by Governor Stassen and
house and senate leaders proposes
to save the state $1,00O,OOO BIZ
annually thur centralized pur-
chasing and $250,00O in admin
istration.
Reorganization Terms.
Under the, terms of this bill the
board of control is abolished, as is
the Big Three and state tax COM
mission. A super administrator will
take over the main duties of the
Big Three. He will do all the
purchasing, buying and selling and
be directly responsible to the gov
ernor for the orderly operation of
the state as a business institution.
He'will also prepare the budget.
A single commissioner Of social
security will replace the three
members of the board of control,
as will single commissioner of
taxation take over the job of the
present three-man state tax COM
mission. These appointments for
six-year terms are to be made by
the governor with the consent of
the senate. The oil inspection de-
partment, where investigation has
disclosed irregularities, is taken
from the department of agricul-
ture and placed under the tax
commissioner.
Temptation Removed
The bill provides that the state
must advertise for bids on all pur-
chases and contracts over $500 and
that bids must be obtained on
purchases even down to 5000. Con-
slant check of moneys will be
made and every cent of revenue
by all departments must be turn
ed into the state treasury every
day. This procedure will minimize
the temptation of embezzlement
that was recently brought to light
in some departments.
The new election code that has
passed the House provides that
the primary election be conducted
in September instead of June. Al
tho the printed bill contains some
$50 pages there are few important
changes in the law.
The house has passed bill to
provide for a one-man boxing
commission to replace the, five
man board. This is evidently in
line with other reorganization bills
in placing the responsibility in one
man.
The, senate has approved a bill
to limit the daily catch Of wall
eyed pike from 8 to 6, and has ap-
proved the opening of the bass
season from May 20 to the eEsecond
Saturday in June. The senate also
has approved a bill prohibiting
special deer seasons by Governors
proclamation.
Negro Discrimination
Negroes are up in arms and are
fighting valiantly to give their
race an equal "break" ins insur-
ance coverage. State laws now say
that insurance companies do not
have to include or issue policies to
Negroes in automobile coNerage.
This exclusion coverage is not
generally known by the public.
The senate was agreed that the
Negro should be given equal con-
sideration but the house commit
tee considering the same measure
is loath to pass on the bill.
A measure to exact an admins
trative toll from trust fund reven-
ues derived from state division of
lands and minerals was defeated
in the house. This measure would
charge the permanent school trust
fund with an administrative cost
of approximately $4,000 a year.
Altho the bill was presented by
the majority group it was voted
down because members thought it
was but an opening wedge to keep
getting more from this fund that