The Western news., 1949-04-14
Discusses The
Last Session
State SOIOnS

Most folks have a hazy idea of
how bill goes through the state
legislature to become a law, but
few can give the entire procedure.
A short summary of this was pre-
sented last Monday evening to the
Libby Lions by Lion D. F. Fewkes,
Lincoln County's member of the
state senate. Said the Senator,
when a member of either house
introduces a bill, he gives notice of
the date he will introduce the bill
and its title and purpose
After the bill is introduced it goes
to the proper committee for con-
sideration. This committee takes
action and brings the bill back with |
its recommendations. If the recon-
mendation is favorable, the bill is |
file It is discussed section by sec
tion and if passed is sent to the
other house, where it goes through |
a similar procedure. If amended
here, the bill must be returned to
the house of its origin to have the
amendments confirmed, and after
it has finally been approved by
both houses it is sent to the gov
In discussing the growing cost of
financing the state, Lion Fewkes
stated that in 1923 the general fund {
appropriations for a two year per-
iod amounted to four and one-half :
million dollars. This had increased t
by 1945 to l6 millions; in 1947 to
2212 millions, and in '49 to 39l5
million dollars. He mentioned that g
some of the appropriations which a
may be considered as permanent in
Vestments include 100000 for an a
institution to care for the senile; a
and 100000 to supplement fed a
eral appropriation of $1,500,000 to g
house tubercular Indians at Galen. g
Here is where your general fund a
tax dollar goes for the next two d
years" stated the Senator: 'Educa-
ton 33c; health & welfare 24c; Gus 81
Lodian institutions, zoe; state de- Il
oartments, l9c; elective offices, &c; K
and other expenses &c" 81
The system of financing the pub S.
ic schools has been completely re- at
5ised and is now computed on a
Der pupil schedule. Contributions tn
o the foundation program will be ac
IN the following basis: district w
1Ivies, % per cent; county-Wide Ia
evies, 49,; state aid 33% other nj
lnds ear-n1arked, %. State aid
or the next two years will total
100000. an increase of S5,600,0OO. p
A special liuuor tax will be of
interest to cities and towns, the
lonies going to municipal govern -
lents This tax of 81 will be
on basis of the num- \
er of registered voters. Lincoln -
ounty is expected to receive about
10000 from this source, Libby's ,
lare being from $4,000 to S3.000 -.
ighway funds will be strengthened ~ -
Y 1c added tax on gasoline and -
esel fuel, and beginning January H., -
1850 a "use" tax on cars and ~. IT,
ucks will become effective, which -! ~!
Divides for a tax of from SO for - u I
rs to $100 for certain trucks. IN ~,
An optional increase of county LS sSi
vies from Is to 20 mills has been py
rmitted for the two year period. ~
'unty Library levies may also be ilt aiio
creased two mills. Other legis- @ poe
ion includes repeal of the pre- s nse'
um law, increase of about $400 sc. &c,
: county officers salaries, clos 0eS
: of courthouses Saturday after n n
ons, increase of mileage for s; solIl
eTlHS,, increase 1lremen'S dis -
lity fund levy one mill; increase @ uiaz
workman's compensation, and wen weL
assistance. mos
Business taken care of at the ~
nday evening meet ing included t, 4elo
setting of Saturday, April 80 ellt .ne
the tentative date for ladies' ~; St,ld
ht; and the decision to sponsor I MS
chell King, Magician in a pro- - ne
m to be given in Libby Septem- " :
20 Lion Zwang discussed a NE, NSeu
.ewide Keep Montana Green NeM NV.
gram and it was proposed that I
Libby club sponsor this move py
1t at the state convention which 70 ~ !.
be held June Is, 16, II and l8 in ISl Is llA
ings. A committee was set I'D long
check the project. DR.. Cairns acres acres
present as the guest of Lion reS1u 4Tl
ing. IN IN
he next meeting will be held W., W.
evening of April 80, Ladies Of r, n
It, No s.
Sin