The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1962-10-26

)ISIdtIVe Il:
distribution but achieving 1000 state partici-
patton in it's obligation to the foundation pro-
gram This action by the Senate precipitated
more overtime days.
HB 373 provided for distribution of $3.4
million of state equalization funds outside the
foundation program. 1t was very unfair, espec-
tally to many smaller counties. $50 of 500
elementary districts and 46 of III high school
districts would have received little or no part
of the additional $3.4 million appropriated by
the House. 1t represented $4,000 bonanza
to Yellowstone county. The measure passed
the House and was killed in the Senate, and
the latter body during the bitter and strained
closing days of the session was able to incorpo-
rate half of the funds into the school equaliza-
ton appropriation where they belonged. The
House stood fast on the other half being dis
tributed on per teacher basis without regard
to equalization. Y
STATE ADMINISTRATION
Sub. HB 391, by Committee on State Ad-
ministration, was substitute for HB 391 (by
j. Anderson Nichols, and provided that ap-
pointees to 10 government offices and As
state boards, commissions, committees and
councils would ''hold office during the pleas
ure of the Governor"
Popularity termed the 'Little Hitler" bill,
this proposal contained some of the most in
teresting language of the session. Section 2.
in its entirely, follows: '"The officers and the
members of the boards, commissions, councils
and agencies mentioned in Section 1 of this
act may be removed from office by the Gov
ernor, with or without cause, at any time, and
without hearing of any kind as to the cause
of such removal"
Since most every interest in the state was
involved, it is surprising that it succeeded in
passing the House $3.50. The Senate Commit
tee on Administration labeled the bill, "do not
pass" and Senators killed the proposal, 1888.
(NOTE: A companion bil-HB 1872 by
Hawks, j. Anderson, Haines and Nichols
would have given Governor appointed depart
ment heads unlimited authority to discharge
any employee without a hearing This bill was
so patiently un-democratic it died quick and
quiet death in the House Committee on State
Administration.
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM CUTBACK
HB 458-the university system appropria-'
ton measure, as originally passed by the
House Republican majority was more than 29e
less than the 1959-1961 biennium although
enrollments are sharply increasing each year.
This bill cut 1870 out of the Extension
Service. The Budget Director recommended
a cut of 500. The Experiment Station and
branches were cut $780, The budget recon-
mended a 6290 slash. t.
The Senate raised the total operating ex-
penses to $25,543,32O, $802,075 over the
House version of $24,741,245.
A downward-only escalator clause was
added to cut appropriations if student enroll
ment didn't meet expectations This brought
The danger that some departments of the units
would lose accreditation if a few students
idn't show up. The final conference commit
zee which included this one way rubber
clause approved $25, 3,6O3 budget which
vas only $852,358 over the House version.
In order to make up for the 5.19o loss in
nillage and General Fund taxes, student fees
lad to be increased an additional $50 year
or residents and $48 for non-residents, plus
$40 increase in summer session fees. This
vas an increase of 28.8@o over the previous
,iennium and will account for 1870 of the
otal operating expenses. "a
HB 458 produced explosive arguments
md it is an issue in the 1862 elections.
HB 458 slashed upwards of a million
ollars from the University system financing
f 1959-61, and cut back forest research at
Montana State University, mining research |
It the School of Mines and engineering re- |
earch at Montana State College. In addition, |
he Extension Service at MISC and Experiment /
stations and branches suffered heavy cuts in
unds and Institutional services were serious