The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-01-13


ture to turn down his "retrenchment'
program or enact a sales tax last
Sunday in TV broadcast.
The new Governors program is
significant on two points. His "re-
trenchment" recommendations hit
those people who do not vote and
can not fight back and he is now
telling Montana citizens he can not
accomplish his economy program with
out dictatorial powers.
A nebulous sort of economy" was
promised during the campaign, but
no breath was uttered about dicta-
torial power until the address.
Now in the face of the message
there is grave question whether the
new Governor really wants economy
or simply wants power.
He is telling Montana people the
responsibility for the economy pro-
gram rests with the legislature.
Besides effecting his economies
from the most helpless and depressed
groups in our society, the mentally
retarded, the mentally i'll, the home
less and orphans, the deaf and blinds,
and the unemployed, Nutter would
ex appropriate funds from premiums
accumulated in the hail insurance
program to defray the state deficit.
In his TV broadcast last Sunday
lawyer-Governor Nutter said he had
MT looked into the legality of the
hail insurance fund recommendation
but he thought his critics should be
willing to try it anyhow.
There are other places from which
could come to defray state
deficit on the same prin-
ciple involved in the hail insurance
funds. In fact we might not have
to pay taxes at all in 1861 if we are
eager enough.
IF we are going to start abolish
ing let's do it across the board, and
pick up a real pile of dough.
What about teachers retirement?
A reserve there amounts to more
than $40 million. Then the Public
Employees Retirement System
could net $23,OOO,OOO.
There are some 27 million dollars
n the Unemployment Compensation
'und; some 10 million in the Indus
rial Accident reserve funds. Rumor |
las it the State Highway Department
las some 10 million dollars they would
ike to invest in bonds someplace if
hey can do it without letting the
legislature or the people of Montana
ind out about it.
If the present administration is
,oing in for a numbers" racket in
state government we
night as well be consistent.
On TV Sunday the Governor
tressed the point that the next two
ears of 'retrenchment' are "going
o be painful" -he said this, not once
ut many times.
If this is going to be the theme
f the present administration, why
aust we establish priority" with
he mentally i'll, the mentally re-
arded, and deaf and blind, the home
ess and the unemployed?
i
On the basis of priority lets look |
t the Governors aims. He said he
'ants to bring business into Montana
, broaden the tax base. In answer ]
, question on TV last Sunday he
aid he thought the only thing we
ad to do to bring business to Mon
ina was prove to business that gov ,
was being operated on an +
basis and they would come
, the state.
In fact one gets the impression that
lie Glow tax" ''no services" theory
i'll find us beating industry off with
ubs they will be so anxious to come
ere.
Now, if this is the only criteria,
Id it is the only one the Governor
Id his chamber of commerce hackers {
I'VE offered for over two years, we r
n eliminate two more items from I
e budget. We can eliminate the
en- for state advertising, and we c
n eliminate the state planning s
ard. Not large items, they still u
ual the total of some of his other a
,miZed retrenchme