To the editor:

At the Feb. 13 City Commission meeting during the discussion of possible funding for a proposed new city library, the possibility of an increased sales tax was offered. It was duly noted that a sales tax is a very regressive form of taxation, falling most heavily on those who can least afford it and taking a larger share of their net income than of those who are more affluent. That is a point well-taken.

To that end, why not tax university athletic events, the bulk of which have already been priced beyond the means of both the poor and the frugal? A 10 percent surcharge not only on the price of the actual ticket, but also on the premium demanded by the athletic department for the purchase of said tickets would generate more than enough to fully fund both the construction of a fine library, but also to generously fund the maintenance of such a facility.

Surely no one who can afford KU basketball tickets would begrudge that small additional cost for such a great purpose! If 10 percent proves to be more than necessary, it should not be difficult to allocate the excess.

Perhaps the state also should consider such a proposal to fund the shortage of maintenance funds for regents’ universities. These ideas are not frivolous nor a joke but should be seriously considered. If there exists a better plan out there, let’s hear it!

Lawrence Bodle,

Lawrence