The Wrangell sentinel., 1953-04-03
RECORD REPORTED ON ALASKA'S
 21st.. LEGISLATURE
By Jim Hutcheson

JUNEAU - Most of the membersI oI Alaska first Repubucan-conuol led legislature in 20 years made their exit from Juneau over last week end. What kind of a record did they leave behind for the 60 dayss
 A review af the record shows these session highlights.
 TAEEs - No new ones enacted. proposals for increase in the motor fuel lax and the s5 school tax died without getting through either housa.
 TAN REDUCTIONS Leyies were -cur on canneries and gold mining alter both were described in floor discussions as 'sick" in- dustlies of the Territory. The can neries' raw fish tax was cut from $ to 3 per cent. based on 50 per cent of the wholesale value. GpY- ernor Gruenings action on this one is being watched with interest. The Territorial general property tax was repealed. the fishing boat tax which some cities collected under the Territorial law was a.ashed. and the nonresident fish ermens license fee was cut from S50 to s1o under court ed1ct.
 High Appropriations
 APPROPRIATIONS - The gen eral appropriations bill of s23.594s- 992 is a record high. About II P million of it is for education - ll support of public schools the $6oo teachers salary increase, $70o-ooo for rural school buildings and near ly S3.o0O.0O0 for the university. Indications were that appropria- tions would run beyond revenues and the present surplus in the trea- sury will come in handy for a touch.
 LAW ENFORCEMENT - Great cd new department of Territorial police; voted 10 double penalties a. gainst trafficers in narcotics; frightened penalties for car thefts-
 AID TO CITIES - Voted refund 10 cities and school districts of 10 per cent of salmon cannery taxes collected inside their limits.
 BOARD CHANGES - OYerrode Governors veto of bill to wipe Em- pIoyment Security Commission slate clean and start over with new board: also called for new dental examining board. Bills to repeal five other boards passed the House but died in the Senate.
 Labor Benefits
 LABOR - Changed unempioy- ment compensation and worknen' s compensation laws Top unemploy- ment payments were boosted from $50 to $3J a a-eE Uad-r a neT formula which sponsors said would cut down on drain against fund Workmen.s compensation benefits for death and total disability were doubled. ceiling on benefits under any one case was set a S25.oeh and temporary disability proYis- ions were frightened up under a S'~ weekly maximum. Enacted fair em- ployment practices act.
 INVESTIGATIONS Created two committees 10 delye into gov ernment affairs between aassions- where there have been none be- fore. One is an overall investigat- ing and examining committee with $75.000 to check up on all phases of Territorial government activity with a sharp eye for wrongdoing. The other is a legislative counci, with the non-political purpose of studying government needs as a basis for recommendations to the legislature.
 Increased Pensions
 PUBLIC WELFARE - Increased old age pensions from $50 to S9O monthly and aid to blind to S100. but Senate refused to go along with House on increases for aid to de- pendent children
 LIQUOR - Made it tougher tC get initial liquor license outside oi a city but eliminated petition ped ding for annual renewals; increas cd distance of future liquor lieens es from schools and churches out. side cities to quarter of a mile, ana two miles from a land grant col lege.
 BANKING - Enacted 121-page banking code to create 6 bankirs commissioner and banking depart.