Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 March 1915 — THE TEACHERS PENSION LAW [ARTICLE]

THE TEACHERS PENSION LAW

Though the governor gives excellent reasons for vetoing the teachers' pension bill, he, nevertheless, permits it to become a law. The objection to it is not that it provides pensions—for the state is committed to that policy, and the people apparently approve it—but that it encroaches on a fund raised by taxation for other purposes. Worse than that, no one can say or know to what extent that fund will be depleted. In the memorandum filed by him the governor says: This act creates a pension fund made up out of donations thereto and assessments placed upon teachers therefor, and to whatever extent these contributions are insufficient to meet the pensions provided for, it permits local school authorities to take from the 13-cent tuition fund a sufficient amount to meet the demands upon the pension fund. The law is indefinite in this, that if does not indicate how much of an appropriation may be made out of the 13-cent fevy for school purposes for the tuition fund. It is a well-known fact that in many instances the tuition fund is now insufficient to meet the demands upon it. If the tuition fund in Part, be directed to the . pension fund at the option of local teachers and,. local school boards, it will inevitably result in the legislature having to increase the tuition tax levy. It would have been much better, certainly much more direct and frank, if this act had provided for a tax levy sufficient to meet the extra demands of the pension fund. Under this law a school board "would have the right to divert"every cent of the tuition fund to the payment of pensions. The only legal limit is the amount realized from the tuition tax levy. How much of that sum will be needed and used it is impossible even to guess. The bill -—which is ncftv a law —is, therefore, objectionable for two reasons. In the first place, it imposes a new burden on a fund w.hich is. supposed to be barely sufficient—if indeed it is sufficient—to meet the present demands on it. In the second place, there is, up to the limit of the fund, no restraint whatever on the appro-

pirating authority. There ought to be no such indefiniteness as this in levying taxes. The people ought to know just what they are to pay. They call not ljnow this in the present case. There is the further question of the diversion of funds--and that: is a serious one. If the legislature may authorize an indefinite invasion of the tuition fund for one purpose, it may authorize it for an-

ol he r, The: principle on . which the bill: i based is, therefore, evil. Pensions, above everything -■ else, ougfit, as far as the state pays them, to be paid out of- money raised directly 'or that purpose. The governor trusts to the courts, or to the next legislature. to set tilings right. Indianapolis News.