Show UTAH LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP Joint Group Presents Bills on Appropriations for Biennium Dy by Sam Taylor March 6 G 1959 The two knottiest problems facing the Utah Legislature this session were being resolved this week With only a week of ot activity remaining the states state's course coune on spending and taxation Is ts Isnow Isnow now beginning to The joint legislative appropriations committee f tin finally l n a 11 y brought their recommendations for spending during the bi biennIum bl- bl out I Ifor for tor discussion I IThe Th The e eThe general I r a aJ f a tI 0 n a bill I calls for the spending o 0 of t f j million This is figure is b lit 10 1 0 million less than asked asked asked ask ask- ed by Cover Cover- Sam nam Taylor T-lor nor George Clyde at the beginning beginning be be- ginning of the th session but still stillmore stillmore stillmore more than anticipated revenue under the present tax laws For that reason a number of ot new tax or tax Increase bills bUls are arenow arenow arenow now before the two houses Broken down the appropriations bill lists spending as follows follows fol fol- lows 1 million for departments departments departments depart depart- ments and Institutions 2 2135 million for state build build- ing 3 3 1 million for state park sites 4 4 for planning stale state building 5 for miscellaneous bills bUts requiring 6 6 62 million for emergency school building The appropriations bill LUl was disappointing to many who had hoped for large appropriations this this' to catch up on needed building but was given givena a tentative nod of approval from Gov Clyde who has urged urged urged ed caution and economy all during d ring the session 1 The e Goy t error said the bill was in the vicinity of being realistic but expressed his opinion that approprIations appropriations ap ap- for State Parks and for State building were not enough There are still eight tax in increase increase increase in- in crease measures before the houses however and if approved approved approved ap ap- proved could mean the raising of ot over 20 million during the biennium However as these bills wind their ways through legislative channels they are finding the sledding tough Motels and Hotels Late this week the House of ot Representatives had not yet gotten around to discussion on ona ona ona a Senate-passed Senate bill to extend the state sales tax to materials materials- connected services garages motels hotels cleaning and laundry etc The bill which would bring an estimated during the next two years was recommended at the beginning beginning be be- ginning of the session by Gov Clyde Not Completely Forgotten The early session Senate proposal proposal pro pros to bond the state for 37 31 million to finance state building building build build- ing and state parks acquisition and development was backed up by the taxation bill to pay for the obligation That bill Sn would increase the sales tax one half per cent for six years to amortize the is is sue The measure has been de des debated debated bated In the Senate but fin fins final al action will undoubtedly await other a action tion to see If the revenue is needed However another bill I IB- IB IID would simply increase the sales tax one half per cent without eai marking the funds This bin bill had not yet been considered con On by the House when this was written Either of ot the sales tax ta bills would bring an estimated estimated estimated esti esti- mated revenue of ot 12 million during the biennium virtual I ly enough to end worries asto as asto asto to where needed revenue would come e from A number of ot other bills to raise taxes in certain areas are also facing a tough week Man Many of ot them to die quick deaths in sifting sitting committees tt St the others othera are In for far active debate when introduced on the floor How Mu Much for for or Schools The State Senate did not concur with the House proposal propos al to increase the state school guarantee to The Senate Senate Sen ate version of ot the bill bUI calls fora for tor foran a an increase from the present 1800 per classroom unit to Joo School officials had asked for tor at the beginning begin ning of the session but Gov Clydes Clyde's budget message called for only an increase of three or four hundred per unit Each increase in classroom unit distribution me means about 1 st million each year In spending throughout the state State Stat Fund Leos Lou Lots LouThe The Senate ort offs highway gasoline tax lax refund for farmers has passed the House and Is awaiting action by the Governor The Bureau Dureau of lie Be- Research and Development Development Develop Develop- Development ment at the University of Utah estimates a loss of 18 million during the next two years because because because be be- cause of this bill l Civil Rights In spite of arguments that brotherly love can not be legislated legislated legis legis- the House this week overwhelmingly overwhelmingly ov ov- ov passed the Utah Civil Rights bill This measure measure meas meas- ure makes it unlawful for hotels hotels hotels ho ho- motels or lodging houses and ea eating houses to refuse ac- ac to minority groups because of ot race creed or color The bill now awaits Sen Senate te action and public sentiment will undo undoubtedly force It from committee to squeeze in appropriations appropriations and bills before the Senate adjourns Change Chang of Constitution The House of Representatives passed Thursday a resolution which would lead to a conven conven- convention convention tion to review Utah's The annual session res res- failed to pass the House louse The Constitutional Convention measure needs a two-thirds two vote of the Senate before it itcan con can be considered by the voters |