To the editor:

There have been some interesting developments illuminated here recently. Once again we are reminded that we pay the second highest property tax in Kansas. Yet there is a cacophony for more government services. When does that stop? When there is no longer any incentive to pursue higher income career choices such as engineers or doctors?

I note that we have passed a city budget that dips into the city’s cash reserves to avoid a property tax increase next year. When you start drawing down your special funds to support routine government operations you are in deep trouble. We have been doing that at the state level for a couple of years and now we are doing it at the city level.

I also note that we are raising taxes to cover increases in teacher salaries and benefits. Yes the state has reduced funding but anybody that has ever developed a budget knows that a 5 percent cut from last year’s approved level is easily managed.