The people's voice., 1957-01-11

Mr.. President, Mr.. Speaker and
Members of the 35th Legislative AS
sembly:
AS | appear before this Legislature
for the third time in my capacity as
Governor, | am confident and optimis-
tic about Montana's future Our state
has just finished two years of favor
able development We have had our
finest period in history.
In March, 1855, the 34th Legislative
Assembly went home leaving what
determined to be a balanced budget.
There were some who thought it was
unbalanced. My calculations were cor
rect. There will be a cash balance on
next July l.
The State Treasurer's office reports
a balance in the General Fund of $4,-
802, ,784 as of Dec. 81, 1856.
The requests for appropriations in
the budget, show greatly increased
demands. Montanas history shows that
some departments always demand
more than they expect or have ever
received.
The House Appropriations Commit
tee and the Senate Finance and Claims
Committee should carefully examine
every request for an appropriation.
When this Legislature adjOuns, we
must have a balanced budget as the
Constitution requires
As we view Montana, there is much
to be proud of. God has been generous
in His gifts to US For our natural re-
sources and special Blessing of Provi-
dence we must be humbly grateful.
But we must use these resources wise
ly To you, the chosen representatives
Of all the people of Montana, comes |
the duty of establishing the rules for
that use We must demonstrate team !
work to accomplish the most good |
for our great State. The greatest |
wealth and most valuable asset is |
our people. What we do here in this |
session should be for the good of our |
people and the future generations of
Montana.
HOLD TAXES DOWN ON INDUSTRY |
Montana is on the go, but we must |
have a favorable political and eco |
nomic climate to keep and attract de
velopment This benefits us all and |
creates a wider tax base. A cooperative
effort by this Legislature will do much
to demonstrate a favorable political
climate. In studying ways and means
of providing funds for state services,
we must remember that a favorable
economic climate is equally necessary
for development. In my opinion, con-
fiscatory taxes will delay development
and spoil opportunities for better jobs
at higher pay for more Montanans.
Montana is growing rapidly. We
should have a population Of one mil
lion within ten years. We must be
careful not to get Montana out of bal
ance on any type of legislation affect
ing labor and industry, if we desire
and expect new industry to come to
Montana Both political party plat
forms favor new industry. 1t is our
job to make Montana attractive for
growth. At the same time
we must see that the laws of the State
provide properly for both our present
and future population. Without giving :
any unfair advantage to any segment
Of our economy, we must encourage s
the proper and full development of ,
our resources.
do not intend to try to detail to (
YOU each item that | think must be !
accomplished | do intend to discuss 9
many items that need your attention. ?
You are welcome to use every facility :
d every State department in obtaining T
iacts. suggestions and ideas.
You should definitely re-examine G
present expenditures in all depart r
nents l am sure you will agree that {
we are not getting full value for the +
iOllars we are now spending. Surely /
We, as MOntanans, can furnish better G
services for less money. You may Il
rant to borrow a few of the methods
Ind ideas presently used in industry. n
CURB FEDERAL SPENDING e
Another source of revenue not eX- c
lausted or properly examined is the |
drain on the State econ r
my by federal agencies. concerted q
Effort by all states would result in p
economies at the federal level. These t
would not impair federal programs, o
,ut the states would get some relief.
Stats governments generally are in s
very difficult position on taxation, "
or two reasons:
First: the taxation of property gen. Il
,rally has been reserved for local sub il