Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 18, Number 26, DeMotte, Jasper County, 28 May 1948 — “CIGGIE” TAX EARMARKED TO PROVIDE FUND [ARTICLE]

“CIGGIE” TAX EARMARKED TO PROVIDE FUND

Budget Committee Acts Also On Gates’ Road Repair Program The State Budget Committee prepared yesterday to distribute $5,000,000 in cigarette tax funds to Indiana schools. School aid was taken up immediately after the committee approved distribution of $5,000,000 in cigarette funds for filling chuck holes in county roads and city streets. In one of the busiest days since the 1947 General Assembly, the Budget Committee also: 1. Allotted $1,245,000 to Indiana State Teachers’ College, Terre Haute, for two new classroom and administration buildings. 2. Granted Ball State Teachers’ College, Muncie, SIOO,OOO to buy an additional 40 acres of land for its campus. 3. Allotted $326,750 to Indiana University for extending steam and electric lines at the Medical Center in Indianapolis. Governor Ralph F. Gates appeared before the committee personally to request the city-county road relief money. State Senator Walter Vermillion (D.-Anderson) voted against the allotmeni saying he believed the action should not be taken because of an attorney general’s opinion that the money could not be used for roads. The allotment will be distributed June 1, $4,000,000 to counties on a road-mileage basis, $1,000,000 to cities on a,population basis. Indianapolis will get $175,067, and Marion County $72,171. Action on the proposed $5,000,000 school-aid fund was deferred, but Roscoe P. Freeman, budget director, said the committee is prepared to give quick approval when a few minor details are completed. Both the governor and Ben H. Watt, state superintendent of public instruction, appeared in behalf of the school-aid allotment. If granted, the school money will be used: 1. To aid building programs. 2. Purchase school equipment and improve plants and property. 3. Or, if not needed for either of the first purposes, it can be used for any lawful school purpose. The budget makers, however, said the present $39,500,000 a year is the ceiling on the state’s distribution of funds for payment of teacher salaries. A The building allotment for Indiana State Teachers’ College willstart the first step of a campus improvement program which eventually will replace all outmoded buildings at the school. Ball State will use its SIOO,OOO allotment to buy a 40-acre tract known as the Schick property adjoining its campus. Freeman said eventually the school may use the land for new buildings. The Indiana University allotment will provide for extending steam lines and electrical service to the new Laßue Carter Mental Screening Hospital and the new Public Health Building on the medical campus. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stangle attended the Indiana State 'rack meet at Indianapolis Saturday.