The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1962-11-16

Twelve Million Dollars Won't Do Ii
Democrats be than little fortunate that the!
did control of the House of Representatives at
Tuesdays election
1859 when in the majority the Democrats pretty wei
faced the States responsibility providing funds needed
uons and other governmental services They raised various
abopay taxes to meet the increased appropriations which
they and their Republican colleagues had ordered
&c. the 1860 campaign around Democrats
blasted from end of Montana the other for having raised
having been Irresponsible The voters bought the
C.ofC.GOP line and them onetwo punch When the
1861 session convened Democrats found themselves longer
the majority in the House.
Them the campaign the Repubicanswhot years
earlier had condemned the Democrats for increasing
haped the theme that they had balanced the budget 1861
Now said they the people Montana could look forward
$12 million the till to meet increasing costs of
the bennum ahead with increase in Convenient
N they failed to mention that that reported $12 million is
direct result of the increased taxes corporations individual
incomes beer etc. imposed by the 1859 Democratic Legislature
1861 Republican |retrenchment while making for good
campaign propaganda brought about problems of crisis
proportions of Cusodia
Boulder been critically short of funds maintain
minimum of to nothing of balanced
diet patients university system pro-
fessona staffs face of rapidly enroments Local
districts of the state have had to increase
on property growing public
school enrolments.
Babcock during campaign
made much of the additional $40 million which would be avail
able for education and extra So million in the treasury for
the custodias Again. that made good reading voting
needs of state government
That $12 million however, only about onethrd of the
additional needed the State is discharge it's multi
old responsibilities somewhat approaching ade
quacy.
The public schools according Supt of Public instruction
Harriet Miller S28 million the 1896 BIZ
ennum than they have this woyear period in order to nan
cay keep abreast enroments Her statement
sened before school enrolment figures showing 1900
instead of the estimated $500 this fall compared
1861 pointed up State funds are gap
appropriation of $48 million will be required -
This biennium the State is providing $40 million.
That $28 million increase in itself almost three times as
much the additional $40 million the Governor spoke about
being available for education at all levels Miss Miller said
that granting that appropriation of S48 million schools
unlikely nevertheless the $48 million will have be
provided whether by State funds by increasingly heavy
levies on property
Montanans she sad " permit schools to be closed
for lack of money and history that local
ery has been shouderng increasingly greater responsibility
for the schools Presumably this trend will continue State
FUNDS are lacking -
Then University system The presidents of the
units been budgeoned by the Babcock Admins
traon agreeing that in spite of increasing enromen
they this bennium with of $45
million. Actually the units need approximately twice that
to increasing enromens and at the time
maintain high academic standards take needed
land deayed physical plant maintenance and enlargement
The Governor points with pride additional So million
the custodas That So Million apporoned the several
institutions will probably provide for adequate food supply
and for much needed added personnel along with meet
the urgent of physical plant repairs 1t will provide