"If state legislators are to be convinced of the need to raise new revenue for schools through tax increases or other sources that convincing probably will have to come from Kansas residents like those who attended Tuesday's meeting, not from school district administrators." (J-W editorial, Jan. 10.)
Last year, legislative leaders, particularly in the House, told members to essentially ignore pleas for increased funding from parents, grandparents, teachers, school board members, administrators and others who had an interest in schools. Isn't it interesting that they did not ignore the liquor lobby when they objected to increased taxes on their product?
Services in Kansas, and it is not just public schools, are heading for a train wreck which was planned in the mid-'90s when taxes were cut and spending was not reduced. Spending held up as long as there was money because the people told legislators they wanted the continued services provided by so many agencies.
This session, legislators will receive a great deal of feedback, some coming from the "never-raise-taxes-for-any-reason" crowd. They also need to receive letters which state: "If you vote to raise sales and/or income taxes this session, I WILL vote for you in the fall and support your efforts. If you do not, I'll support a candidate who says they will."
Some legislators are naturally courageous. Others get their will power from constituent mail. If you don't want to see schools, universities, senior services and most other state services deteriorate; it will take a revenue increase to stop the bleeding.
Paul R. Getto,
Topeka
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.