To the editor:

My property taxes went up 18% last year. I’m happy to pay taxes for teachers and firefighters. But not real estate developers.

Our local leaders are spending our taxes on a new bridge over the Wakarusa, to open a whole new area for subdivisions. They approved a tax break and 1.5% sales tax increase as “incentives” to KU Endowment for a project that is already well underway. Now we’re going to have to pay for new utility hookups (as utility bills rise), as the city annexes more and more of the county for real estate developments. Extending city services west of the South Lawrence Trafficway is only a matter of time (and money!) — even as it’s being expanded.

Do any nonpoliticians really believe that these new suburban developments are going to produce any genuinely “affordable” housing for any substantial length of time? Why not spend more of our tax money directly to build affordable housing?

Yep, the developers are in the saddle again. And the taxpayers are the horse. Maybe it’s time to buck ’em off.

Joe Harrington,

Lawrence