To the editor:

One reason why property taxes continue to increase at a rate above inflation in Lawrence is rapid growth and the resulting demand for new schools. New residential developments create a demand for new schools, and this results in higher taxes for longtime Lawrence residents. Why should longtime residents subsidize new residents, land speculators and developers?

Overland Park charges a development excise tax of 15 cents per square foot for new buildings. Johnson County charges from 1 percent to 5 percent of the land value of newly developed property to help pay for parks. The Lawrence school district should institute similar excise taxes to pay for new schools.

Clark H. Coan,

Lawrence