To the editor:

Hello Lawrence!

We have reviewed the upcoming ballot question to increase the Lawrence sales tax rate by 0.05%.

To understand this impact on our family budget, we looked at some expenses that incur this local sales tax. Our monthly food budget is $600, which would mean an additional 30 cents per month. That translates to an annual increase of $3.60. We know we can manage an added quarter and nickel a month.

Our monthly entertainment budget is $500 per month. This covers streaming subscriptions, books, video games and travel expenses. This sales tax increase would impact our monthly entertainment budget by 25 cents. This increases our entertainment sales tax by $3 per year. We can manage that additional quarter each month.

Our elected city and county officials have adopted a housing plan to end chronic homelessness in Douglas County. Let’s give them the tools they need to fund this plan.

The Stumblingbear family supports helping our less fortunate community members who at any moment could be any of us.

We will flip our ballot over and vote Yes on City of Lawrence Question 2.

Rachel and Dustin Stumblingbear,

Lawrence