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SpCIALpGISLATIVE ISSUE 



Illkois A^rictiltural Association 



RECORD 



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Number 8 



AUGUST/1929 



Volume 7 



Our Legislative Program in tlie 56th General 



Assembly , j 



By The I. A. A. Committee on Public Relations i 



FOLLOWING the precedent established 

 two years ago, the Committee on Public 

 Relations presents the following report on 

 the legislative activities of the Association in 

 the Fifty-sixth General Assembly. This report 

 is made to inform our membership about the 

 attitude of the Association toward various bills 

 and resolutions of especial interest to farmers. 



The legislative policy of the Illinois Agri- 

 cultural Association in the recent session of the 

 General Assembly was determined, at least in 

 its major aspects, by the delegates in session 

 at the annual meeting. The major legislative 

 projects approved at Danville were the State 

 Income Tax, the Limitation of the County 

 Highway Tax Rate, the Amendment of the 

 Revenue Article of the State Constitution, and 

 the Gasoline Tax. 



In addition the annual meeting took a strong 

 position recommending resistance to tax in- 

 creases until the people of the State amend the 

 Constitution and set up a fair taxing system. 

 The resolutions adopted at Danville also asked 

 for the Amendment of the Co- 

 operative Marketing Act of 1923, 

 the Amendment of the Member- 

 ship Act of 1872, and the con- 

 tinuance of efforts to eradicate 

 bovine tuberculosis, with ade- 

 quate appropriations for indem- 

 nities for reacting cattle. 



amendments there to protect fanners' Interests. 

 All of the bills and resolutions in which the 

 Illinois Agricultural Association had a particu- 

 lar interest, either in support or in opposition, 

 are briefly described below. 



Controversial Bills 



of the bills sponsored by the Illinois Agri- 

 cultural Association, serious opposition de- 

 veloped against two, one of which was de- 

 feated. These two bills are most suitable for 

 the purpose of presenting the voting records of 

 members of the General Assembly. They are 

 the bill for a State Income Tax and the bill 

 limiting the County Highway Tax Rate. The 

 voting record of every down state senator and 

 representative on each of these bills is given, 

 by districts, in the table on page 9 of this 

 issue. Members of the Illinois Agricultural 

 Association should study this table to see how 

 their senators and representatives voted on these 

 two important measures. 



STATE INCOME TAX BILL 



AU Subjects of Bills 



All of the projects named 

 above were the subjects of bills 

 and resolutions introduced in the 

 Fifty-sixth General Assembly. In 

 some cases the bills were prepared 

 by the Association. In other 

 cases, for reasons stated in this 

 report, no bills were prepared by 

 us. It was found advisable to 

 prepare bills on some matters 

 which were not considered at 

 Danville, these being the Amend- 

 ment of the Dog License Act, the 

 Amendment of the Insurance 

 Acts, and the Amendment of 

 the Fertilizer Act. In some cases 

 it was necessary to oppose bills 

 or n*olution> or to ask for 



Early in the session Senator Lantz introduced 

 this bill as Senate Bill 39. This was practically 

 the same bill drawn by representatives of the 

 Association two years ago and introduced in the 

 5 5 th General Assembly by Senators Lantz, 

 Deck and Sneed. In both sessions the bill pro- 

 vided for a direct deduction of any property 

 uxes, which a taxpayer might pay in this State, 

 from any income tax which might be levied 

 against him, and for the use of the net funds 

 derived from the income tax in reducing or 

 replacing the already existing State school tax. 



At the time of its introduction the bill was 

 referred to the Senate Committee on Revenue 

 and Finance. In a hearing before the Commit- 

 tee it was given very fair consideration and 

 was recommended for passage. When it was 

 called up for second reading, the Senate went 

 into Committee of the Whole and again gave 

 it very fair consideration. It was passed by 

 the Senate on April 24 by a Tote 

 of 28 to 19. 



AN IMPORTANT service rendered Illinois farmers by the I. A. 

 >- A. is to represent their interests where legislation affecting the 

 welfare of agriculture is considered. Legislation invariably tends 

 to move in the direction desired by powerful and active organiza- 

 tions, especially if those who may be injured thereby make no 

 resistance. In former days many burdens were thus placed on 

 farmers solely because they were not organized, and therefore, could 

 make no effective resistance. 



Representatives of the Association examined every bill and reso- 

 lution offered in the 56th General Assembly. In many cases they 

 suggested or asked for modifications. In a few cases active op- 

 position was necessary. 



The accomplishments of the Association in the recent legislative 

 session are in large part due to the effective work of the County 

 Farm Bureaus and their collective supporting membership. The 

 continued prestige and influence of the I. A. A. in matters of this 

 character in a very large measure depend upon the understanding, 

 determination and activities of the membership throughout the 

 state. 



Farmers should study the records of their representatives and 

 regardless of party affiliation, return thar proven friends to the 

 legislative halls. By following such a policy, farmers can render 

 the most effective service in protecting their rightful future 

 interests. 



Honse Committee 

 Unfriendly 



After its passage by the Senate, 

 the Bill went to the House. It 

 was referred to the Committee on 

 Revenue, which was very unfairly 

 composed of nineteen Cook coun- 

 ty and eleven downstate repre- 

 sentatives. When the bill was 

 called up for a hearing before 

 the Committee, Representative 

 Schnackenberg of Chicago, op- 

 posed hearing its supporters and 

 moved that it be reported with the 

 recommendation that it "do not 

 pass." Representarives Hunter, 

 sponsor of the bill in the House, 

 and Green, chairman of the Com- 

 mittee, urged proper consideration 

 and that its supporters be heard. 

 The Chicago majority, however, 

 supported by Representative Crow- 

 ley of Peoria, forced a vote and 

 adopted Schnackenbcrg's motion. 



WImq tiic Committee reported 



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