The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1962-03-23
Montana Doesn't Need A
General Sales Tax!
An Editorial

General Sales ak!
The Montana School Administrators Association last Sat
urday presented the Governors Committee the School
daon Program three alternative proposals for raising
sa to meet the increasing costs of public education
at all levels from the primary through the University system
MASA represented by President William Personen, Chi
nook and Secretary Owen Lofgaarden Power suggested
l. general sales tax coupled with higher personal in
come tax exemption;
e. proportional sc gross) income recommended
by the 1888 Decentralization Commission,
g. general sales education replacing
the sm University property levy and also increasing the
State contribution to the public school equalization and funds
distribution thereby eliminating deficiencies which
fall on property
did the taxpayers (see editorial % did recommend
that the SO cent limitation State financial assistance
be increased to 60 or 70 per cent
few brief the three tax proposals. before
presenting alternative financing suggestions.
higher personal income exemption will do little if
anything offset the unjust burden general sales tax would
place than half of the states who
according to Compensation recaptuaton for
1861 averaged only 81 405 income salary
In 1861 there 217ass state income All UCC
covered employeesncludng the $4,000 head of major
utility and the college kid working during the months
toaed 1O892 In addition there several thousand farm
workers. and various other kinds of owpad people who
not under UCC.
higher exemption should person in
these lower income brackets for while they might two
three dollars income to higher exemption they
would spend times via general sales tax payments
This income tax proposal is only slightly less in
not apply to pensions disability income obess compensation
etc. of those earned income would apply
the total earnings of the 70 cents hour waitress
Harowon the 81 90 hour paid for labor
sections of Montana the nckesanddmes income
your newsboy to the received by owpad hos
pital help In summation it would take from low income
money badly needed buy the absolute neces
ties of life.
g. MASAs proposed of portion of general sales tax
replace the university sxm levy another gmmick to
make the sales palaab Montana people, Take
your notice and you'll find that ALL State
property amount to only five to and
oneha of total property tax bill State taxes
property aren't what's killing you taxwse Your tax
will its local school, city and county which
really squeezing May and Novembernot the pid
ding contribution you make via State levies.
THE VOICE fully has been for many years
that be forthcoming meet the costs of
governmental services particularly pertains public school
ng higher education and the custodal Institutions But is
unalterable conclusion that MONTANA DOES NOT NEED
A GENERAL SALES TAX TO SECURE THAT ADDED REV S
ENUE!
general is the nequitable method
this country raise 1t is not based the
ability hits hardest those who have the least treats
gentle those who auent takes from lower income
families needed to buy food and clothing deprive
fixed such pensioners the jobss the
disabled of with which to purchase the necessities of
life.
The only thing that be said in its favor is that
collect But especially inexpensive tax to admin
ister
badly needed federal educational assistance
pears stalled for the immediate future what state level