The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-07-23

) Continued from page One)
petroleum products sold in Montana.
4. Increasing the GVW rate.
5. Working out Weight Distance
law, based on the Oregon law.
6. Instituting ten cent land tax.
Members of the Governors co~a-
mittee questioned the spokesman for
the groups represented on the differ
ent proposals, that would raise a
large enough amount of money to
provide the three million dollars.
Edward Doan of the Public EN-
ployees had no specific proposals, but
suggested the advisability of explor-
ing the gasoline petroleum products
tax without refund, the weight mile
tax, and bringing all statutes into
some kind of agreement with all the
other states. Doan questioned the
tax policy of ''tax for use' and asked,
as taxation for use a good idea?"
Ernest Salvas for the Mine-Mill
made a statement in which he said
that Mine-Mill was opposed to any
additional sales tax, such as a gas
tax. "Needed highway revenue" said
Salvas, "should come from the people
who make profits from the highways"
and "Any approach to the highway
problem should take advantage of
the experiences in other states" Sal
vas said the Mine-Mill could support
weight distance law.
The Committee asked: What about
one cent petroleum tax as a part
solution to the problem?
SALVAS: A petroleum tax would
have no relationship to the source
from which funds should be derived
for highway financing. 81 would have
no objections to the tax" he said,
"but it is the wrong approach to the
highway problem. The proper place
for revenue from such a tax would
be the general fund"
The committee discussed the toll
road system being used, they said
with considerable popularity and sue
cess in the East. According to their
appraisal of the situation the toll is
paid on a weight distance basis.
The truckers, with only the one
cent gas tax as their solution besides
the anti-diversion, no more highway
money for advertising and stricter
enforcement, were also asked about
the other proposals. Truckers are OBJ
viously agreed that they will not give
their approval to new sources of
revenue that increase their contribu-
ton to the situation.
The committee asked the truckers:
1t is estimated that the state is losing
about a million dollars year because
of the lack of enforcement of the
diesel fuel tax. Do you believe it is
that much?
TRUCKERS: No, that figure is too |
high We are in favor of enforcing
that law, but million is out of rea-
son when the entire collection at
present is only about 100000 dol
lars.
The Committee: What would be
your opinion of an increase in The
diesel fuel tax to bring it onto a more
equal basis with gasoline?
TRUCKERS: 1t is figured that
about Il of one per cent to one per
cent Of the cars and trucks on the
road are diesel. An added diesel tax
would appear to be small source of
revenue.
The Committee asked: How Wo9id
the amount compare with what you
suggest we could get out of the Anti
Diversion law-the advertising mon s
ey, ETC.? I
TRUCKERS: 1t is not an equitable
way of tax revenue, it is inequitable.
If you evaluate fuel on actual use
you would have to consider the driver,
he countryside, the use, ETC., etc. For
Instance the difference in the use
If Cadillac and an Austin. 1t is
rot a good way to get very much
money, anyhow.
The Committee asked: How do you
eel about increasing the rates under 7
he present GVW? J
TRUCKERS: We have always been !
or any tax that is fair. But the truck i