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Show DESERET Not everybody likes a state fund surplus By Dexter C. Ellis Deseret News political editor Politics State general fund surpluses, which It; has enjoyed in fat figures for the last tv years, are generally the occasion for conen ulations all around. They indicate that the state's economic health is robust, that the governor and Legis iature are being frugal with the taxpayer's dollar, that needed capital improvements" car be funded, and taxes even cut. To certain agencies, however, the are like waving a red flag in from of a surpluses bull. To those in charge of educating the state s children, for instance, the surpluses represent money that could have been used for a varieof ty badly needed and worthwhile programs including, of course, higher teacher salaries. The governor and legislative leaders invariably take the position that the surpluses can only be used for purposes. Building them into the spending base might be planting the seeds of a future tax increase because the surpluses may evaporate next time around, they explain r However, as one pointed out, if the Legislature under- didnt one-tim- e senator-educato- During the past two years, the states boisterous economy has fooled practically everyone, far outstripping forecasts. whittling a few dollars here and there in order to cut the pants to lit the prospective revenue cloth. But, this is the year in which the experts could become a cropper. The figures which legislators look at especially wistfully, however, are those of the University of Utah Bureau of Economic and Business Research. The uncertain effect of the fuel shortage upon ounsm and other industries makes revenue forecastin; far more of a crystal ball exercise than it iias been in recent years. DEXTER As a result estimates from various sources vary rather widely, at least in dollar figures, if not in percentages. Gov. Calvin L. Rampton and his advisers are forecasting that a total of $351,160,000 will be available in the General Fund and Uniform School Fund during fiscal 1975, compared w ith an estimated $327,476,000 for the current year which ends June 30. ILUS appropriate" for the various programs, there wouldnt be any surplus. The revenues would already be built into the base. The surpluses, which have amounted to a total of $70 or sso million total during the past and present fiscal years. Lave resulted because of too conservative revenue estimates. The legislative analyst, however, who has been more optimistic than the governor during the past two years, is somewhat more conservative this year. His forecast for the The process of estimating revenue has been refined to a considerable science over the years, but it still represents a sort of brinksmansiup, since the fiscal experts must look a year and a half into the future. current year :s $676,000 under Hampton's, while his estimate for next year is $3,760,000 lower. This only slightly more than one percent of the total revenue, but it looks huge to an appropriations subcommittee that is - A plain WASHINGTON loaf of bread now costing up to 37 cents for 16 ounces and 52 cents for 24 ounces in is some parts of the U.S. expected to jump substantially in price during the weeks ahead, and shortages may be felt in some areas. prices. Adamy anticipates no major problems of bread scarcity in retail grothe nations 220,010 cery outlets, though he does say that between "now and this summer harvest time some kinds of specialty bread products may be in short supply. One expected result of the steadily rising milling costs: a halt in development of new bread or grain products. "We introduced a major new bread product a year and a half ago," says one milling company official. This year, given the high costs of flour and other ingredients, plus the energy crisis, we expect no new products at all. This official also anticipates in specialty line a cutback Either figure is enough to make a legislator drool who is frantically seeking funds for his constituency or favorite department of governor. However, few legislative leaders, especially those most responsible for balancing next years budget, will dare to depart very far from the figures supplied by the legislative analyst, who is the statutory authority for budget making. HARRIS SURVEY in the as well as bread items de- Friday from livery services. The whole concern over the possibility of an increase in as well as posbread prices sible shortages many econ-omis- here argue, of fun- underscores a number damental questions policy about American agriculture: Should the administration, as has been the rase, continue to rely on the open market to set prices, or should controls be established? Also, should the expanding continually farm export, program continue to be a mainstay" for the overall U.S. export program? Should the U.S. lift import quotas on wheat to allow large purchase of Canadian wheat? President Nixon announced such a program last despite such opposition controls-oriente- d agricultural groups as the NaFarmers Union. Until June 30. wheat anu flour will be allowed to come into the country without restrictions in order to prevent a possible shortage and rising bread tional prices. Finally, there is continuing questioning of the U.S. Soviet grains agreement During several weeks in 1972 Soviet officials picked up some 18 million tons of U.S. includgrains and soybeans ing over one quarter of the entire 1972 wheat crop. In a July, 1973 report, the General Accounting Office said the U.S. wheat sale, along with other exports, helped trigger a dramatic rise in the price of U.S. The view is wheat. Curiously, in a move that is still raising questions here about possible within the USD A. Carroll G. Brunthaver, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for International Affairs, announced his resignation recently. Brunthaver prime mover has been in the a govern- ments to current plans import Canadian wheat while to have seeking shippers abroad. stagger shipments Brurthaver, who recently returned from Moscow and v.ttawa, also has sought to persuade other grains-produein- g nations to put their crops on the world market. 1974, The (cj Publishing Society Christian Science Earlier this month, 44 percent of the public thought the President should resign or be impeached. The critical 51 percent, however, has not materialized. At the same time, no more than 47 percent are willing to say they want him to remain in office. The key to Nixons fate, as it has been over the many long and anguished months during which he has been on trial, are whatever ultimate, specific charges may be leveled against him For example, if the U.S. Senate Watergate Committee decides that President Nixon was involved in the cover-up.- " a clear percent majority feels the Congress should impeach him. Or, if Judge Sirica decided the President was negligent in the care he took of the Watergate percent, a plurality tapes, then by thinks impeachment would be in order. 7 48-4- 0 The public is growing impatient for some definitive action by Congress or the courts, but meanwhile the toll of the entire waiting period has been devastating on Nixons credibility. For instance, by a record percent, the public agrees with the statement that he has lost so much credibility that it will be hard to accept him again as President. By percent, the public no longer view's him as a man of high integrity. Up to this point, as judged by his most recent low rating of only 30 percent positive in his over-al- l job performance in the White House, and by the meager 17 percent who express confidence in him personally, the public is not ready to conclude that Nixon should be retained on the basis alone of his skill and experience in foreign affairs, nor willing to accept that he should be given the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps the current state of President Nixon is best summed up in the percent who say that he dues nut inspire confidence as a President should. 49-3- 7 will the up King Faisal by designing the ships, but the memo says the United States will also oversee contractor Saudis a new naval lleet. in The details are contained a confidential memorandum desent to the top Navy ship at the request of Navy signers Secretary John Warner. Signed by Warners engineerRear Adm. ing chief, the memo calls for to management Saudis oblige the United Slates has a . undertake agreed several to construct -- The pro-era,- ., We were all set to lower the boom on both repair outfits but discovered the culprit was just a sad lack of communication among all concerned. The seller has hat) and has been your machine repaired for a month it to took where for (he pick it up and you wailing shop deliver to you. But now, theyll call you and arrange for, a delivery time. Too bad one or the other didnt go the extra , mile and check with each other. If they had youd have saved a few stitches and would have been sewing a long lime ago. OUR MAN jones , Although 46 percent believe he should not be given the benefit of the doubt in the missalmost as many, 42 ing tapes controversy, percent, believe he should. stoutly denied by Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz. Not only Navy-butte- r performance, resources allocation and all other matters concerning . . . assigned project work. When we asked engineers on the project how it was going, they hissed nervously: "Thats confidential! We re not supposed to discuss that' Aindlg the eomidential reve lations in the memo: The United States is building guided missile gunboats, patrol ships and war frigates for the new Saudi navy. permitted to charge off Saudi taxes against their U.S. taxes, because they persuaded Congress that the rich Saudi oil reserves are essential for U.S. defense. King Faisals government served notice on oil to halt all Aramco deliveries to the U.S. armed forces and warned that any deviations would be harshly dealt with. Yet on Oct. 70-2- 2 21, .Aramco, the worlds largest petroleum producer, is a consortium of four U.S. oil Exxon. Mobil, companies Standard of California and Texaco, lmcally. the'- are Yet the oii colossus, putting profits ahead of patriotism, didn't hesitate to carry out King Faisals ordeis rather than risk offending the stern old monarch. f The king ordered the he felt American because President which weapons, Nixon rushed to Israel, were being used to kill ,rab m3 ' fliers cut-of- For all of this, however, the public still has left open a crack in the door before total condemnation of the Chief Executive. It is not so much a matter of conviction as i! i a sense of fairness about the President. The people await a formal charge and then a decision being made, pro or con. on the merits. In this sense, the jury of public opinion is still out on Richard Nixon !4. i .c Liik,. : ' n show of national unity. turning the other cheek, a buiia. ;.g the - ' Two years store. A year the seller to fix it but they said they wouldnt do it unless ' they were in my neighborhood. I finally took the head to a repair place in Bountiful. They in turn sent it to the sell-- ' er's repair place and its still there. Ive called thetn all j summer hut no action. I want my trade-imachine back. ' or the present one fixed or my money back. Mrs. K.B.: Salt Lake CUv. Harris 70-2- 1 classes of ships for the Royal Saudi Navy Force, states the memo. fu ' By Harry Jones Deseret News staff writer 84-1- 0 Saudi the Oct. U.S. armed 21. Yet the U S. Navy, Lake City. Wan ago I bought a sewing machine from a' S.L. later it wouldnt work right. I tried to gef Presidents most vulnerable-areathe handling of the Watergate tapes, where his standing earlier this month was percent negative, the public has not entirely closed the door on possible ultimate presidential exoneration. For example, by percent, a thumping majority agrees with the statement that if the tapes show he was not involved in the Watergate cover-up- , then the country should join behind him in a U.S. turns other cheek to Saudis - 257, Salt No boom lowering necessary A substantial 82 percent agree that "he is not afraid to take decisive action, as in his trips to Peking and Moscow and in his handling of the Middle Ea-- war. Jcsk Anderson if n'l 1 I asked you recently to help me get the eaves on mv . house fixed by the firm that did the work over iwo yehrj "'i ago. 1 fold you I had tried many times to get inem to do it. Now they have called me, but said 1 didn't tell you the truth and they were going to tell you. He also gave meithc devil for contacting you. He said it would eost me $3G to fix the eaves. But, at least, hearing from you made, him angry enough to call me and say I lied. But he hasnt Jeeii here to look. L.M., Salt Lake City. -- : Why is he so mean to you and so nice to us? Weti rather it were vice versa for your sake. As of now he says hes been out to see you and will also send out a service .. : truck to do the repairs. You said he wanted $50. Now hes cut that to $20. Ma'am, if he gives you the devil again"' we ll do some deviling of our own 76-1- 9 WASHINGTON .Arabia has cr.t Man. P O Box Its a devilish problem In the foreign policy area. Nixon continue, to receive high marks. A thumping 68 percent give him a positive rating on working for peace in the world, and his rating is 6! percent positive on handling relations with Russia, or percent positive on handling relations with China." and 57 percent on his handling of the Middle East situation." Even t It took us all of 15 minutes to get things rolling your three counting yours you way. In separate letters will get instructions leading to a duplicate title. The bank will send you two notarized hen releases; ttie motor vehicle department of Utah will send you a duplicate title application to fill out and have notarized. Attach the two bank hen releases to it and return them to Utah accompanied bv a buck, the fee for their trouble. 72-2- 0 Indeed, grain export sales and have been booming some economists are fearful that the administration may have severely underestimated existing domestic stocks this spring and summer. Do-l- I need some help in locating or obtaining the title to my cur. I had a loan on it from a bank in Kaysviile. I paid it off and they sent me the title but it was lost in the mail. The Post Office cant locate it. Can you? 1 now live in Colorado. N.V., Carbundale, Colo. Coupled with the percent who still believe Nixon is experienced and smart, especially in foreign affairs, the fate of the beleaguered Chief Executive appears to rest on this respect for his foreign policy performance, plus public sympathy for an underdog, balanced against the deep doubts that persist about his credibility and integrity. The main concern for millers today is supply. Officials at the U.S. Department of are scrambling Agriculture frantically to maintain existing grain stocks throughout the summer months. As of now, massive exports of wheat and grain products have cut heavily into normal domestic reserves. or write to heading your way 56-3- 8 climb 364-862- 4 The public may be down on President Nixon over the Watergate fallout, but he has also evoked a certain amount of compassion in the process, as indicated in the percent majority who agree with the statement that the President is trying to do his best in an almost impossible job. a loaf as new argued by some millers. We will have the wheat. But prices will go up. maintains Randall Hackett, head of marketing for ITT Continental which Baking, produces Wonder Bread, one of the few bread labels sold throughout the United States OUR READERS' ACTION LINE Auto title solution e By Louis $1 to Clarence According Adamy, president of the National Association of Food Chains, winter wheat plantings are now 18 percent above last year and should help exert downward pressure on Dial out on Nixon Monitor News Service to Q Public opinion 'jury' still Christian Science But the price will not man The university experts come in with a total tax revenue estimate that sales Is $16.3 million higher ttian the governor's and $19.4 million above the legislative analysts forecast. V By Guy Halverson A3 DO-I- T The Bureau is forecasting a whopping 14 percent boost in state sales taxes and a 15 percent increase in individual me ..me tax revenues. These are the two big state tax camel's since the statewide property tax was phased out. if The staff of life: How expensive? NEWS. FRIDAY. FEBRUARY K 1974 No one saw him enter, or leave. Jt was over a year and a half ago, Aug 11, 1972, to be exact. The Salt Lake Commission chambers were City packed. The discussion centered around improvements and enlargement of the Salt Lake International Airport Spokesmen walked to the podium to argue for or against the expansion. Then it happened. From the back of the room came a calm clear voice Those who saw the man said he was dressed as a mechanic. He didnt give his name, or step up to the podium. No one can remember his exact words. Remember this was months before there was a hint of an energy crisis. He warned not to build in haste. The United States and the world would be facing an oil shortage by 1974. People scoffed and went on with their building plans Now they are wondering who was the stranger that left almost as mysteriously as he appeared. . . He would make a great interview ! ONE UP FOR THE GOVERNOR. The MARK gov. takes time out from his busy schedule to be a "Big Brother. It made one little kid happy, and thats a lot Heres a copy of a letter Gov. Rampton received the other day. It makes it all worthwhile. "Dear Governor Rampton, ! am wry glad that the people ef the Big Brother program chows (chose) me for your little Brother. I have been thinking about the canon in your nap room. You have some very inresting thigs at the state captle. I lieke you Governor Rarnpton. Your little Brother. David. : He likes you too, David. FERNVVOODS ICE CREAM PALACE on 23rd Easl just past 33rd South is advertising a January White Sale., Having to check calories this month, 1 havent investigated. I imagine a white sale at an ice cream store means half off on vanilla, or some such thing. If its anything like the department store January White Sales, it could mean any color or flavor in the place! THERE WAS A TIME WHEN you couldn't keep 'em down on the farm, because the farm prices were down But the latest survey shows that you cant even keep em down on the farm when prices are up: Dont know what reminded me of that! THERE WAS A TELEVISION CREW IN TOWN doing a bit for one of the networks on earthquakes They shot just a fleeting bit of our Wasatch Front. Mcst of the film will be shot in San Francisco, but thats not our fault1 (Dont try to read between there.) the lines. Theres nothing It wasn't very nice of KSL-Teither. When President Nixon finished his State of the Union message the other night, a comm.eii.ial came on: "The proceeding program was brought to you by Bufferin! (Theres nothing between the lines there either.) HITS END: There is no truth that Rebozo has been tiitil. or that Prcodent Nixon will call a press conference Li.d' a:r..,;:r.cc a ) ; |