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Show I-ROM THE DESK OF G. STANFORD REES State Senator Representing Beaver County January 20 was the week w? were given the budget message from the Governor that is re-ouired re-ouired by law. There is an increase in spending of $104.5 million over the current bien-nium. bien-nium. The total estimate is $685.96 million. Of this amount some ?203,412.747 is Federal money. Major increases include higher high-er education increase of $29 million; public education about $25.5 million; health and welfare wel-fare $17 Vi million. More than S10 million additional because of the building bonds of $65 million voted last regular session, ses-sion, which I voted against. The state property tax is figured fig-ured to remain at 7.3 mills for the next two years: Please note that the property tax on n state level is determined after aft-er the legislature finishes its session and is fixed high chough to meet the expenditures expendi-tures necessary out of the Uniform School Fund for the maintenance and operation of the schools. In order for the legislature to be fairly sure there will bs i:0 property tax rise it is necessary ne-cessary that we do not reduce our tax base to any extent and do not over-spend the budget. I feel aure we will not do this. But when you read of bills passing or failing to pass which reduce or raise taxes, ' rtmember they may affect your property tax. Enough of that for this time. In regard to bills, I said I would help repeal the voter registration by party law in the Primary Election, This is Senate Bill No. 1. It was passed by the Senate Jan. 18 with only three dissenting votes. I voted for this repeal and. tailed on the floqr of the Senate in favor of the ..bill. In order for Utah to continue con-tinue on Standard Time it is necessary for the legislature to pass, a law providing that Utah continue on Standard Time. Otherwise we will go on Daylight Day-light Saving Time In April, according to the new Federal law. Senate Bill 13 provides that we continue on our present pres-ent Standard Time. . I am in favor of this. If you object, write me at the Senate Chamber. Cham-ber. .. I am staying at the Belvedere Belve-dere Apartments in Salt Lake, phone EM 4-1901, and you can reach me there or at the Senate Sen-ate Chambers. Senator Stan Rees. |