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Show August, 1967 UTAH FARM BUREAU Social Security Bill Would Raise Taxes , Expand Benefits Annual social security taxes will eventually increase by $178 for individuals and by $158 each for employees and employers on earnings of $7,600 or more under a bill approved August 3 by the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives. The bill (H. R. 12080) is by committee Chairman Wilbur Mills, (D.) of Arkansas, and Representative John Byrnes, (R.) of Wisconsin, ranking minority member. It is a self-employ- ed Page 7 NEWS These Tables Compare Present Social Security Program With Committee Bill Maximum Tax Contributions Under Present Law And Under Committee Bill red committee substitute for the Ad- ministration bill (H. R. 5710). A NUMBER of increased benefits are provided in the bill as a result of the increased taxes. The benefit increases would average 1216 percent with average monthly benefits for workers- and their wives now on the rolls increasing from $145 to $164. Minimum benefits would be increased from $44 to $50 per month. Effective date for the increase in benefits would be the second month after passage of the bill. The earnings base would rise to $7,600 on January 1, 1968. And tax rates would be increased a year later. A number of other changes are provided in the bill. Among these changes are: Making disabled widows and widowers of deceased workers eligible for benefits at age 50 (now 62). Increasing the number of days of hospitalization which could be covered in a spell of illness from 90 to 120 days under Medicare. Transferring hospital outpatient diagnostic services to the supplementary medical insurance program rather than the hospital program. Raising die amount a. social, security recipient may earn without causing the withholding of benefits from $1,500 to $1,680 per year. The accompanying tables show the changes in taxes and benefits proposed in the bill Old-ag- i For e benefits 1 a worker age 65 or aider at the time of retirement and a wife age at the time 65 or oider when she comes on the rolls. Survivor benefit amounts for a widowed mother and I child or for 2 parents would he the same as the benefits for a man and wife. a Sot applicable, since the highest possible average earnings amount is S550. 1 Labor Camps Health Code Recommended Survivors' benefits Part of the large group attending the annual Utah County Farm Bureau summer outing. group of agricultural organizations and processors has Jointly recommended to the State Board of Health that a separate code be established for farm labor bousing. Under the law, the State Board of Health is required to establish a code of standards for public housing such as motels, recreation resort housing and farm labor housing. Some weeks ago the Board of Health held a hearing at the State Capitol where a proposed code to cover the whole area was reviewed. Only a few farm people knew about the hearing so it was very sparcely attended by those who had direct interest in farm labor housA For families already on the benefit rolls who are affected by the maximum benefit somewhat higher provisions, the amounts payable under the bill would in some cases be shown here. than s Sot applicable, since the highest possible average earnings amount Is 5550. th-js- ing. The Board of Health was requested to hold open the opportunity for interested persons to make written recommendations until August 15. A committee was appointed by the Utah Farm Labor Association to prepare a statement regarding peculiarities of the farm labor situation and the conditions that must be met in developing a code for farm labor housing. The committee, which was chaired by Bion Tolman, met informally with representatives of the Utah State Board of Health on 15 and requested that August their statement be included in the material which would be reviewed by the Board of Health in their approach to the establishment of a farm labor housing code. Space does not permit the reproduction of the entire statement, but significant parts jof it emphasize that farmers recognize the need for good labor housing in the Interest of health and sanitation as well as their ability to obtain satisfactory farm labor. The statement emphasized, however, that there are special conditions in agriculture which must be considered in planning farm labor housing. Among other factors pointed ou Don Allen, Utah County Farm Bureau President (in dark glasses) chats with some of the members lining up for fried chicken. Asked why his county's outing is so successful each year, Don replied, "We try to have everything organized and a relaxing atmosphere. By the middle of August these folks are ready for a break. in the statement is the fact that farm labor is not housed before May 1 nor after October 15 except in very special cases. Most farm labor is housed only 3 to 4 months during the summer and many are in the area for only 3 to 4 weeks to meet peak labor requirments. Obviously housing for that period of time would not have the same requirements as housing. The statement also emphasized that a farm labor housing code should give due consideration to the type of people housed. In Utah agricultural labor housing involves mainly Spanish-America- ns and Indians. Each one of these groups has its own customs and traditions and it is impossible to change any of the customs and traditions during the short period these people are away from their permanent residences. It was pointed out that some farm year-rou- nd labor camps are located in places where there is no sewage system and where the water level is too high for the effective use of septic tanks. Factors like these would have to be recognized in the development of a farm labor hous- ing code. The committee stressed its desire. to assist in bringing about the highest possible labor housing standards but called attention to the fact that economic considerations are a part of the Jim Nickle, with apron, and Mrs. Leo Robins with hamburgers, serve some of the hungry at Millard County Farm Bureau outing. picture and that small farms do not yield enough income to provide elaborate dwellings for transient labor. Board of health representatives expressed appreciation to the farm group for their effort in developing the statement and for their willingness to assist in the establishment of workable farm labor housing code. Representative Sherman P. Lloyd, right, chats with Millard county farm people at Farm Bureau outing. |