Cities don’t usually do this, but everyone knew Lawrence was different anyway.

Wednesday, Mayor David Dunfield put his signature to 166 letters — one for each Kansas legislator and the governor — pleading for them to raise taxes.

“On behalf of the entire Lawrence City Commission, I write to strongly urge you to support necessary revenue measures — including increased taxes — as necessary to fully fund the state’s obligations,” Dunfield wrote.

Those obligations, he said, include “demand transfer” payments to city and county governments and funding of local schools.

Sen. Mark Buhler, R-Lawrence, said he doubted most fellow legislators would be receptive. Instead of increasing taxes, he said, there has been quiet talk of tax cuts.

“I’m hoping like heck we don’t sustain further cuts,” he said. “Until we’re out of here, until they put down the gavel, everything’s at risk.”

Lawrence lost $1.38 million in state funding for 2003 late last year when then-Gov. Bill Graves eliminated the demand transfers; Douglas County lost $1.8 million in aid.

And the Lawrence school district has voted to close two schools and fire scores of teachers to cover its own $3.5 million shortfall. There has been talk that the city might raise its own taxes to help the schools.

“We need to be proactive as possible,” Commissioner Sue Hack said of asking legislators to raise funds at the state level. “We’re the ones who will bear the burden of them not actively funding what they say they will.”

¢ City Commission hears funding requests¢ 6News video: Planners begin city budget process¢ Text of the letter Dunfield sent to lawmakersAudio: Sen. Mark Buhler, R-Lawrence, says there’s not a lot of support for a tax increase.¢ “I try very hard to do what I can for the school district, the city and the county” …¢ “I appreciate all the comments I’ve gotten from people both ways on raising taxes and funding schools.” …¢ On the ending balance …

State lawmakers have approved a $10.2 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 but face a funding shortfall of at least $255 million. Buhler said a $267 million tax plan proposed Tuesday by freshman legislators was getting a poor reception, as had other efforts to increase education funding.

Legislators have considered making the budget work by delaying tax refund payments to Kansas taxpayers.

“The Kansas Legislature should avoid short-term fixes and budget gimmicks that simply shift hard choices to future years,” Dunfield wrote.

Commissioner Dennis “Boog” Highberger proposed the letter to the legislators.