Imperial Valley press., 1945-04-18
LEGISLATORS STAND ON
TAX PLANS, SURPLUS FUND

As days pass with the state legislature
embrolled over tax legislation, use of the
surplus fund and compulsory health in
surance, the Imperial county delegation
IS standing firm against any tampering
with the tax structure which has work
ed satisfactorily over period of years
Likewise the Imperial county members
have acted wisely and we'll in lending
their voice against the vague compulsory
health insurance plan which has engulf-
ed the legislature in whirl of contro-
versy which has contributed to the stale
mate that has marked the second session.
Particularly commendable is the stand
taken on the method of using the $780,
100000 state surplus, which is no more,
no less than taxes paid in advance by the
people.
In the upper house Senator Ben Hulse.
in conjunction with Senators Hatfield
and Swing, has introduced and is work
ing diligently for its passage, bill which
would allocate 500, 100000 back to the
people on formula that would give each
community fund equal to $3.50 per
capita. Other plans include ALLEGATION
on the basis of population which would
mean for Imperial county only $3.50 per
capita 1t is Senator Huse's contention
break and he has convinced members
from the more populous centers that his
formula is correct and Just
As one phase of this method. Hulse
points out that rural communities have
stood the brunt of war training maneuv-
ers because of open spaces and thus have
suffered heavier damages to roads. He
cites only a possibility of the federal
government bearing the cost as we'll as
the direction of repairs. Bearing this
thin chance in mind, Senator Hulse con-
cluces that the state can and should
care for the rural areas. He supports
this view in noting the need for immediate
action in restoring the roads for pressing
needs of the areas.
The senator cites an alternative plan
in sending these moneys back to the con-
tributors by giving the budget entire
credit for the amount and then to collect
enough new taxes to keep the budget
balanced. But he points to the fact that
this plan would require an entire change
in the tax structure and to this he refuses
to lend his aid or consent
The senator believes the funds should
be handled by local authority for the
benefit of those who have prepaid these
taxes. Furthermore it is his belief and
contention that this plan will preclude
the necessity of a rural authority having
to levy an advalarem tax at time shortly
after the close of the war in order to
bring to date the necessary services to
the people of the rural communities.
Senator Hulse's contention that it is
no time to maneuver with the tax struct-
ure at a time when the people as a whole
are in a position to pay some taxes with
out any resultant hardships He has
taken a firm stand, and an unpopular
stand, as viewed by those who would
open the whole tax set-up to revamping,
which in turn would let loose an ava
lanche of demands for expenditures that
would upset the fiscal position of the
state just at time when there should
be a .sit-tight" policy, and still be pro-
gressive.
The delegation is entitled to the sup
port and the cooperation of their con-
stituents.
designations in high places will set a
bod aara1 f1,. Dc,