The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1963-01-18
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statewide property levy. instead OF
his Board of Equalization having per
missive authority to levy this when
ever it so chooses, SB would re-
strict its imposition to. periods when
expenditures will not equal income
Of the General Fund. Since the Gov
ernor estimates the General Fund
will be we'll into the black by July /,
the Croft Dussault bill would pro-
hibit the imposition of the 2-mlll
levy for the calendar year 1864.
lib A, by Aasheim, Eskildsen, Gill,
Stranahan. Raundal and Kvaalen,
would benefit non-highway users of
gasoline, diesel, etc., by extending
from eight to IL months the length
of time allowable for filing for re-
funds
lib 8, by Murray and Haughey,
would change the classification of the
cigarette tax to a direct tax on the
consumer. By so doing, Montana
smokers will be able to deduct state
cigarette tax in figuring federal in
come tax returns.
STATE LANDS
lib 35, by Leuthold would estab-
hsh new method of setting rentals
On school grazing lands, and would
approximately double present rental
schedules. The bill has merit.
HB SO, by Hawks, Etchart, Hib-
bard, Smith, Garrison, Hazelbaker
and Boughton, is as 'aphoney'' as the
recommendations of the Governors
Committee ON State Lands and the
Governor himself. 1t would possibly
increase school income from such
lands by about one-tenth of the mod
crate proposal Glib 33 of 1861 de-
veloped by the 1959-60 Legislative
Council, which would have been more
than reasonable to the stockmen, but
would have doubled school revenues
of about $65O,O0O from this source.
HB 81. by Haughey, Mathers, Blew
cit, Deschamps, Nichols and Haines,
while not as good as HB 33 of 1861 |
session. or Leuthold's HB 35, is a
much better measure than "Cow Boy"
Hawks HB 80, and would, according
to Haughey, increase school income
by some $48O,0OO year.
At least fourth bill on this sub
ject, by Sen. Rieder of Jefferson, is
scheduled for introduction. 1t would
be the same as HB 33 of the last ses-
sion. This proposal has the endorse
nent of Montana Cattlemen's AsSoci-
alton. 1t had the all-out opposition
of Montana Stockgrowers Associa-
tien, in 1861.
CAPITAL. PUNISHMENT
SB 81, by McKeon, would substi-
tute life Imprisonment for hanging
in capital crimes. Capital punishment
lin Montana the gallows) is a bar
barrie admission of the failure of our
society to cope with sociological and
psychological situations which lead
to crimes of major magnitude.
Exhaustive studies have proven
that execution, whether by gas, hang
ing or the electric chair, does not in
the least deter murder, rape and
other capital crimes; that the punish
ment melted out to those directly re-
sponsible for a fellow human beings
execution, whether Judge, prosecu-
ter, jury or executioner, is, if pos
sible, even less merciful. 1t is some
thing they must live with for the rest
of their lives, and to what avail?
May the collective conscience of
the legislature be so deeply moved by
the objective of McKeon's bill that
when the members go home in March
they can point to this one thing as
their "finest hour.
OPEN MEETINGS T.
Eleven House members-six Demo-
Gratis and five Republicans-are re-
flecting the increasing public concern !
over the "star chamber method of /;
state business by various :
boards and commissions. The State
Board of Education is one of the 5
worst offenders in labelling it's de-
iberations stop secret. The High !
way Department, too, is no easy OBJ
;tacle course, particularly, when one
eeks additional information on the r
Wolf Creek Canyon Interstate. .
All IL legislators have essentially y
he same n1lr-nosa in mind in, theirl q