The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1960-12-09
How Shall II Be Done?

How Shall II Be Done?
One really shouldn't the Republicans for having gained
House of Representatives at the recent gen
era election continuing economic decline, yet
growing population the need for public services con-
tnues the uptrend
Maintaining these public services at present levels plus the
foil of more initiation imperative that the Republican
House majority assume the responsibility 1t Denied Itself as
minority 1859 when the sole aim of the COP seemed to be
to impede hece the then majority Democrats in the so
ing of financing problems then before that body
In spite Republican opposition to almost all revenue
ahough they voted by and large for all approrla
bs the Democrats in 1859 substantially met their reve
INCREASING responsibility
Now it's the Republicans and for the State
Financing MISC this week revealed nothing else
majority party in the House must either with sew
eral millions dollars additional for the biennium
or force cutbacks in public services.
For example past bennum the State appropriated $17
million maintain public elementary and secondary edu
cation Montana That appropriation left the state falling
short by thee-quaters million of meeting its legal
obligation the school districts Because school enrolment
is climbing at the of 5000 additional children each
require least $22 million state appropriation to main
tain the level of assistance to the districts the coming o
ennium as was provided for this biennium.
ale not the only division of state government
which will need in order to maintain present
levels and provide for orderly capital outlay to
meet the needs of an increasing population
The university system that should have
at least eight million dollars for construction the coming
various units to keep abreast of growing
enroments
The custodial money for
ton well construction they to
maintain and improve present Already this
institutions have lost three highly qualified profess
This latter trend will unless provision made for i'm
provement in working conditions and salaries
Highway Patrol badly needs at least two dozen
more that esavng to adequately
cope with constantly increasing amount of traffic our
highways
The State Forestry Service will find itself out in the street
next the temporary frame quarters now has
on State University will be torn down before the
wear is department which is doing splendid job at
conserving improving $50 million investment owned in
common by people of Montana State Forestry needs
headquarters building with office and for
search laboratory develop for timber products
ETC.
Vocational Rehabilitation needs money to meet its
the state in getting disabled citizens back
into productive capacities
Health needs considerably funds to dis
charge increasing responsibilities in protecting the public
contagious diseases policing stream pollution
combating alcoholism, etc.
Welfare must have additional six figure ap
preparation provide the matching funds for the
hospamedcal for the aged enacted
by the last Congress
Other agencies of government with the exception of the
Highway Department. must also have larger appropriations
face serious cutbacks services the people have ordered
provided through their legislature And of there will
be between and four million dollars of red ink to be
erased from the state general fund. M
Conservatvey it is the opinion of this Editor that the next
budget for the state will have to be increased by
very minimum of $40 million though the upcoing legs
assembly makes departmental CONSOLE
daon the setting of state pool and devises
other WAYS of efficient of the tax dollar In