To the editor:

It appears to me that school funding is not as important as it was during the November campaigns. Neither party wants to force the issue, which, in all likelihood, will require a tax increase. The new governor did not want to raise taxes. However the situation is far worse than she thought. It’s certainly not her fault.

The state of Kansas now realizes the devastation misguided tax cuts can deliver. Educating our children is far more important than political tax cuts and building new roads. The loss of important subjects, staffing and closing schools is simply the unacceptable result. Every community should notify all of its elected officials to let them know we want our educational money back now to cover operations.

Instead of increasing property taxes, drop the portion of property tax appropriated for funding education and replace it with a statewide sales tax. My suggestion is a 1-cent grocery-exempt sales tax, 1 cent on alcoholic beverages and 1 cent on lottery tickets strictly for public education. This money finds its way back into the economy which buys groceries, houses, shoes, clothing, entertainment and is donated to worthy causes. Getting public education funded will provide substantial relief toward the state’s budget woes.

How much is $59 million plus interest for 20 years? The taxpayers deserve to know. My priorities are rehab projects for Lawrence High School and the junior high schools and maybe a real vo-tech school.

Richard Heckler,

Lawrence