The Glasgow courier., 1944-12-28
GOVERNOR TO
SKETCH STATE
POSTWAR JOB
Chief Executive Is Expected
to Give Broad Outline
to Legislature
Expenditure of 30 Million as
Soon Men, Materials
Ready Is Seen

HELENA.-.Gov. Sam c. Ford is
expected to present a broad outline
of postwar development plans in
Montana when the legislature con-
venes in 29th session next week.
Expenditure of more than $780,
100000 beginning Immediately after
the war-or as soon as manpower
and materials become available-is
contemplated. On much of this pro-
gram. aimed primarily at providing
employment for returning service
men and war workers. legislative
consideration will be expected.
Governor Ford said during the
recent general election campaign
that the programs biggest items
were in repairing and building new
highways and in extending irriga-
ton to more than one million acres
of land Improvements and new
construction at state institutions are
also planned
President Roosevelt has signed
the S1,673 ,250.000 federal-aid high
way bill, in which the states contrib
ute toward S3.173 ,250,000 program.
The measure earmarks S40,098,000
for Montana, with nearly S8,000,000
available from the government for
each of the first three postwar
years.
Thus. the state begins 1945 with
an opportunity to base its highway
development program ON a solid fl
nancial basis Governor Ford says
much already has been accom-
plished and that many projects
oF
permitted.
Montana also can boast a healthy
surplus of more than S6,000,000. But
the governor is hoping the legisla-
ture will map a longe-range pro-
gram and. as much as possible, con-
serve the financial reserves for post
war development and any future
rainy day" in state revenue.
I'VE must practice economy, de-
spite the fact that wartime revenues
are higher at the moment" said the
chief executive.
He said legislators have "a tre-
mendous responsibility" in provid-
ing adequately for the costs of the
state government-which have risen
steadily for the last several years
and at the same time conserve
financial resources by eliminating
He noted that budget
requests of some institutions were
above anticipated revenue for the
next biennium, an observation also
made by the state taxpayers asso-
citation.
Appropriation requests have
jumped S3,0O0,000 a year, while the
revenue to the general
and university millage funds for
I945-46 is down nearly S3,000.000
rom last year. Income for l945-46
iscal year is estimated at S7,315,000
md. for l946-47, at S7935.4l9.
The Greater university system
las asked a total of S1,717,284 for
he next biennium, as compared
With S478,75 appropriated by the
943 legislature, the taxpayers asso-
iation pointed out. State boards,
bureaus. commissions and other
gencieS are asking a total of Sl3.-
72027 for the biennium compared
With S9.472,320 for 1943-45 fiscal
increase of S3.799,2 POI.
Aside from important financing
roblems and consideration of post
'ar construction, the 29th assembly
$50 IS expected 10 take up IIle pIO-
osals for veterans assistance and
ehabilitation. There have been no y
ldications as yet that pension leg
lation will be proposed.
Among other proposals which
robably will receive consideration
re:
A teachers retirement plan,
hereby the employee employer con-
'ibution principle would be fol-
wed instead of the system rely
lg on a state appropriation:
A state drivers license statute,
hich may propose an examination
'ganization and an increase Of the
e from rs cents to 81;
Proposals for stimulating postwar
urist trade. which doubtlessly will
, emphasized along with consid-
alton of highway legislation.