Lawrence legislators aren’t part of the no-tax contingent blocking budget negotiations in Topeka.

It’s encouraging to note that Lawrence representatives to the Kansas Legislature are trying to place the best interests of our community above partisan politics.

The delegation that represents Lawrence in the Kansas House and Senate is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. Yet, at joint appearances, such as the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce forum last Saturday, all are eager to say how well they work with one another on key issues of local interest such as redistricting and support for higher education.

It’s also worth noting that local legislators are listening to their constituents who are urging them to solve the state’s current budget crisis without compromising certain key services, particularly funding for public schools. Sen. Sandy Praeger said on Saturday that it is an unusual year when people are writing and calling, almost begging her to raise their taxes to support schools. But that is the message she and other local legislators are hearing and the one they are trying to reflect in Topeka.

Local Republican representatives aren’t part of the no-tax conservative contingent that is blocking all efforts to raise revenue to fund a more reasonable budget. Both Republicans and Democrats from Lawrence have voted in favor of tax increases proposed in the Kansas House, and Praeger said Saturday she was disappointed that taxes proposed by Gov. Bill Graves last week weren’t enough to provide a long-term solution to the budget problem.

The Kansas Legislature is facing a difficult situation this year, and it is important for voters across the state to hold their elected representatives accountable by monitoring their votes on key issues. Local residents who are willing to pay higher taxes to minimize funding cuts for public schools and other state services should know that local legislators are trying to reflect that view in Topeka.