The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1939-04-20
Legislative
Sidelights
By II. E. Saoennes

40 H|thl AZ WldiouI dil dp-
pointed day." In other words it
means that members are subject
to call and, as have previously
stated, it is more than an even
bet that special session will be
called. I do not make this predic-
ton on the assumption that the
legislature has not worked few
erishly and possibly more intent
ly than previous bodies, but be-
cause of the various important
and voluminous bills that have
been acted on.
For the past two weeks it has
not been uncommon to be in ses-
sion for II hours or from $50 in
the morning until / at night; and
for those really 'in the swim a
few more hours could safely be
added. This legislature may have
been an easy thing some years
ago but with the complicated
structure of social laws, the de-
mands for more revenue, and
sources of new revenue rapidly
diminishing, things are getting
bit messy.
Few Building Grants
The appropriations committees
have been exceptionally careful,
having cut and cut numerically.
Money for new state buildings
recommended was practically nil
and, save for new agronomy
building at the university, cost
ing nearly half million dollars
and strongly advocated by far
mers for experimental purposes,
and a new building for feeble
minded that was absolutely need
ed, little was appropriated.
A. measure popular in the rural
sections is the unemployment
compensation law revision which
was again proposed in the house
after administration leaders
thought twice as to the advisable
ity of ignoring the demands of
rural Minnesota for some relief
from this tax. A compromise bill
exempting employers of seven or
less in communities of less than
10000 population was passed by
the house and passed on to the
senate for confirmation. The le-
gality of a measure singing out
certain communities for taxation
purposes was strongly questioned
and it is extremely doubtful if
any relief from this measure is in
sight.
Townships Lose Gas Tax
townships were defeated in
their demands for a division of
25 per cent of the gas tax monies
received by the counties when
their bill was refused special
order in the house and the senate
had passd the bill. BY this action,
which required a two-thirds vote,
it will die with other bills that
time will not be found to act on in
this session. City members were
mostly responsible for killing the
bill.
A whole afternoon was con-
sumed Thursday in deciding the
rate of taxation on iron ore. The
rate was finally fixed the same
as the previous two years with an
inducement to the companies to
mine the low-grade ore that has
been sadly neglected. Governor
Stassen had previously recon-
mended slightly higher tax and
it was proposed by the Weber
Carley bill that the higher tax
would be offset by cutting the
tax rate in the range cities which
would have yielded the state APP
proximately $150,000 annually.
The Governor, however, yielded
to the demands of the range cities
and proposed that the situation be
studied by an interim committee
that is to report to the next legis-
lature. Those opposed to higher
tax took the position that it is
possible to tax the mining COM
panies out of Minnesota and into
Louisiana and Michigan where
the tax is less than half of what
is paid in this state. To say the
least it is perplexing situation
and it is hoped that clear and
honest picture of the situation can
be obtained by a disinterested
body.
Another measure that consurn-
ed hours of debate was the lien
clause for recipients of old age
assistance. Splendid arguments
were presented by both sides but
the bill passed by a II to SIS vote.
The bill provided that pensioners
must sell all property outside of
the state and use the money for
support before being eligible for
pension and that total old age
payments, including burial ex-
pense, without interest, shall be
lien against the homestead in
favor of the state. In liquidating
the lien the federal government
gets so per cent and the state and
county the rest. Pensioners are
permitted ownership of home
stead as long as they live which
is also true of minor children. The
act is effective January l, 1910.
Farmers who have joined rural
electric associations, or who are
members of cooperative power
groups, were treated nicely by