Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-02-27
Voice From Senate
Some Problems We Face.
BY SEN. c. ELMER JOHNSON,
From Pine and Chisago Counties

Because of the fixed long range
program which ear-marked income
from motor vehicle license tax to 60
first, to retire maturing bonds, about
So, 900, 900, due annually and a pro-
gram to retire rural credit bonds
due $5,500,000 in 1899 and 194O) out
of income from interest and sale of
land, bonded indebtedness of the state
is going down. That does not always
reflect that Minnesota is financially
better off. While bonds were paid
up in the Rural Credit Department
lands were sold and the inventory
shows diminishing assets decrease
$10,400 in 1939-40) and an annual
loss in operation of $l,000,000. There
has been net increase of certificates
of Indebtedness according to the State
Auditors report of 1939-40 of $16,-
82,517.16.
Tax Outlook.
In spite of frequent statements as
to the improved condition and econo-
my and savings in state departments,
we find that costs are not lowered
and demands are made by practical
ly all departments for greater APP
preparations. We find that the SUI
preme Court has outlawed the assess
ment for general revenue purposes
of five per cent made against the
highway department and other de-
partments whose receipts were ear
marked.
We find that the new department
of civil service cost us $70,541.26 in
1939-40 and request for $237 ,285 90
for 1941-42. We find the result
of our civil service venture is added
expense in all departments and that
it resulted in "as great an orgy of
spoils system probably as ever existed
in any state.
A bank tax bill has been passed
making a $500,O00 reduction in reve-
nue. to the state and exemption from
personal property tax. A bill al
lowing quarterly payment of income
tax will add from thirty to fifty
thousand dollars to the cost of COL
lection and so far no new sources of
revenue have been found.
Tax on Soft Drinks.
A tax on soft drinks has been pro-
posed but is not popular. 1t is dis
criminatory, a tax on a drink which
is harmless and which should be en-
couraged rather than suppressed.
have received great mass of letters
in opposition. At first, I answered
all of these. The protest against this
sales tax has become so great that
am unable to answer them by let
ter. 1 assure you that l am opposed
to state sales tax as a policy and
l am certainly going to oppose any
increase in real estate tax.
Load Limit Bill.
I have received some 40 letters
against bill which would limit the
gasoline truck load to 5000 gallons.
The sponsors of this bill call it pub
lie safety measure, but in fact it is
known as a railroad versus truck bill.
l am told that as a weight basis the
4 1000 gallon loads are about 10000
pounds below axle weight limit al
lowed by law. It is discriminatory
policy to place a limit or suppress
transportation of any special COM
modify. If safety measure is de-
sired it should be on basis of axle
weight, height, width and length.
Of over 40 letters received on this
one bill, three favored the bill. On
a percentage basis about SO per cent
of my correspondents have urged me
to oppose the bill so I shall vote no.
Hearings have been held on the
county nurse aid bill and aid to
distressed school districts but no &C
ton has been taken.