The people's voice., 1958-12-19

the availability of abundant, low
cost power made possible by Hun
CRY Horse Dam.
GROSS INCOME TAX OUTLINED
Ed Byrne, Helena, member of the
State Board of Equalization, reviewed
the gross income tax as a possible
major source of revenue. Byrne said
that this tax has proven very success
full in Indiana in its 25 years of op-
Grafton and that it has not been a
deterrent to new industry or ex-
pansion of established industry in the
Hoosier state.
The Indiana tax applies to the gross
receipts of business and individuals
and has some of the characteristics
of both sales and income taxes, but
is nearer to the sales tax in it's opera
tion since it is more inclusive in col
lective revenue. The first $1,000 of
individual income is exempt. All in
come over that exemption is subject
to gross tax of II per cent. The
same IL per cent tax applies to
utilities, banks, investments and in
companies, etc.
The tax on manufacturers, whole
salers, etc., is 3s of one per cent.
Some organizations such as unions,
churches, schools, hospitals, are total
ly exempt from the tax. Other or
CARNATIONS are partially exempt.
Property taxes in Indiana in 1929,
Byrne said, constituted "a per cent of
the total tax revenue of the state
and it's subdivisions. In 1916, as a
result of the gross income tax, prop
erty taxes represented only 45.6 per
cent of the total tax take.
GVW NOT A FAIR TAX
Sen.- Elect Lloyd Michels (D-Sheri-
LAM speaking on highway financing,
stated there is "strong feeling in
that the GVW (truck-taxing
is not proportioned fairly"
n that it hits much harder the occa-
'ional user of the highways than it
loes the heavy over-the-road truck.
ANY increase in GVW makes it more
among truck OPERATORS"
le said.
The increased gasoline tax would
'aise a lot of money Gin an easy way"
,ut, he continued, "can you justify
my increase in the gas taxi" until
uch time Gas some equity between
ypes of users has been brought
bout"
Michels referred to the study made
" the 1856 official Fact-Finding
on Highways, as zone of
he best studies ever made in the
United States" That study, he said,
howed that "a five cent gas tax
would build adequate highways for 3
ars and light trucks"
The former House Highway Com
mittee chairman then stated that
an ordinary automobile gets 30
ton miles to a gallon of gas while
a Bottom truck-trailer combination
gets $50 ton miles. "Here is an ex- {
ample of tax preference" he en- 1
phasized. {
said that the weight-distance
roposal is the only one (which would
i've any semblance Of equity" in the :
ighway financing picture in Mon t
ina. He also said the highway de- q
artment is ready and willing to ad- c
mister the weight-distance if it is
lacted. Y
Jack NARROW, Helena, member of p
e Highway Users Conference, out t
ned the users conference program to n
Use $3.5 million in highway reve- u
Ies-a program which would fall !;
ost heavily on the auto and light y
uck operator. h
NARROW said that at the present time D
e state has a backlog of federal is
nds totalling $76,700,OOO. Of this ii
0,470,000 is available for the y
terstate system; $8,115,00O for pri- L
ary system; $7,358,OO0 for second .,
Y roads, and $752,0OO for urban l.
'eet improvements. e.
TAX oN
sOPOSAL EXPLAINED "
Carlton Infanger, Helena, execu- n,
e director of The Observation-Disclosures nc
n Commission, speaking on the per- ie
lal income tax. outlined the COM fl,