4
Friday, March 24, 1978
University Daily Kansan
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Comment
Unsigned editorial represent the opinion of the Kansan editorial staff. Signed columns represent the views of only the writers
Property tax a mess
What began as a simple, sensible idea has become a property tax mess for the Kansas Legislature.
In the United States and in Kansas, affluence has raised many people to the status of property owners. That status has caused problems in property taxing so that changes in tax laws have been made and remade. The trouble now is that almost no one has a complete grasp of all the pieces, yet the Legislature still tries to reform the property tax system in the name of reform and simplicity.
There are currently no fewer than three proposed amendments to the Kansas Constitution in the Legislature dealing with property taxes. That may be two, or even three, too many.
perhaps the least complicated is one proposed last week before the House Assessment and Taxation Committee. It is, very simple, a limit on how much property tax can be collected. The amendment would limit all revenue collected from all forms of property taxation by all collectors to a total of 1.3 percent of the market value of all state property.
PROPERTY THE AMENDMENT is sponsored by State Rep. Ernie Talley, R-Wichita. It is supported because of its promise of keeping taxes at their current level. The 1.3 percent figure is the statewide average percentage of property value that is now collected as property tax.
property tax.
There have been tax lids enacted by the Legislature with the force of ordinary law and not by using part of the constitution, but Talley said Tuesday he was not satisfied with that kind of lid.
with that kind of attention. Talley said his amendment contained a provision that if the 1.3 percent total was lower than the amount of tax collected last year, the state's collectors could use last year's amount as their lid.
"In my district, the No. 1 problem is the property tax," Talley said. "Someplace it just has to stop, and we're just trying to figure out where it is."
Talley's amendment has the virtue of being simple. It has the fault of being arbitrary. It seems to contain all the logic of the schoolboy drawing a line in the dust and forbidding the other boys to cross it.
THE PRIMARY source of money for cities and counties is the property tax. It runs school systems and paves streets. The amendment assumes that the cost of carrying on these government operations will not rise faster than the value of property. That cannot be guaranteed.
Even Talley concedes that his amendment does not have a good chance of making it
through the Legislature this session. There are others, though, that could
are others, by House Speaker John Carlson, D-Smolun, would set housing and residential property in a separate tax classification and allow them to be taxed at a rate different from and preferably lower than other forms of property. That would institutionalize a small fragmentation of the taxing system.
State Rep. Wendell Lady, R-Overland Park, Tuesday proposed an amendment that would carry the fragmentation even further. It would establish separate classifications for residential property, agricultural land and land used for industry or other commercial purposes. The three classifications would then be taxed at different rates.
The Legislature already is struggling under an amendment that has been part of the constitution since 1976. It allows use-value property appraisal. The reluctance of the Legislature to come up with a plan to set up use-value taxation, under which property would not be taxed according to its market value but according to its use, indicates that perhaps less time should be spent on further changes to the constitution.
ADD TO the potpourri of undecided property tax resolution one more ingredient. Sometimes in the future, legislators say, the state will order a massive reappraisal of real estate. Lady has warned that reappraisal could mean substantially heavier tax bills for people who own houses, and he says his amendment offers a way out.
But no one, absolutely no one, in the Legislature has yet explained why this or that scheme for property tax reform has to be enforced in a constitutional amendment. The force of ordinary law is not enough, for the sponsors want their brainchildren enshrined in the invulnerability of the state's supreme law.
The constitution of the state, comparable to the federal one, is the basic document setting up the structure of Kansas government. It is not, in itself, the complete code of statutes. What belongs in the constitution are basic guidelines, prohibitions of the practices that are absolutely forbidden and guarantees of specific rights.
What does not belong there are complicated, detailed formulas for collecting property taxes. If the system must contain classifications, exemptions and formulas, they can very well go on the statute books. They can be more easily adapted to future needs that way. And if somebody no one completely understands property taxes, there may be a few around who will understand the Kansas Constitution.
Today is especially significant for millions of Christians around the world. Today most Christians will take time off from their daily activities and pause to recall a sacred event that happened 2,000 years ago.
Religious need justifies respite
At the University of Kansas, though, it is business as usual. KU's calendar recognizes Easter Monday as a holiday. The university excuses KU students are excused from classes.
Pat Allen Editorial write
Joe McFarland, academic officer for the Kansas Board of Regents, said the decision to cancel classes on Easter Monday and not on Good Friday had been made years ago. McFarland said a free Monday provided travel time for students who were attending Eagle the Regents that the majority of Friday classes fell in the morning, he said, which also facilitated Easter weekend travel.
A HOLIDAY on Easter Monday provides KU with yet another secular three-day weekend. Arguments have been raised against rescheduling other holidays so that KU can continue. These arguments can be strengthened considerably when em-
played in regard to the observance of Good Friday.
Regardless of the Regents' decree, liturgical calendars still go by the book. Good Friday is a major holy day in the Christian calendar and the occasion of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
A case might be raised about the prudence of separating church from state and state institutions. But such a defense is senseless in Kanaas.
Kansas is unquestionably a Christian state. And according to figures from the latest edition of the Comprehensive Guide to American Colleges, KU is unquestionably Christian. A hefty 75 percent as Protestants and 10 percent as Catholics. Such trends don't change in three years.
It is currently possible for a KU student to be excused from classes on a day that has particular religious meaning for him.
BECAUSE KU has no all-University policy about class attendance, a student could simply skip his classes. But because some schools and professors allow students to attend attendance policies, a student may have to make arrangements to be excused.
It is doubtful that a professor would refuse such a petition. But the right for each professor to set his own criteria for admission is highly questionable. KU does have a policy that is sensitive to the scheduling of tests on days that have religious significance but, again, thePUTtingition process is far from ideal.
The ideal process would be for the administrators to issue a blanket excuse for all students who intended to observe their religious services on a day when classes are in session. But this presumes, of course, a student consistentiness awareness and the students would not be relied on to deliver.
BUT NO MENTION of the faculty has been made yet. Surely KU's faculty
members have their own religious affiliations that they must observe.
It is apparent that neither the Regents nor administrators are willing to take the social responsibility to excuse classes for religious reasons. But one option remains. A majority of the faculty members of a particular school, or even a dean's decision, presumably would support this change in a Christian holiday as Good Friday.
That is hardy a solution, however. The student population, of which 5 percent is Jewish and 10 percent list themselves as members of other religions, would still be forced to earn their own exemptions. And one can imagine the confusion sporadic class cancellations would cause.
THE RELIGIOUS experience in the United States is, if nothing, an individual experience between man and his God. To force a person to attend school when he believes that he should be elsewhere is to tread upon a sacred relationship.
THE RICHMOND NEWS LEADER ©1978 BY CHICAGO TRIBUNE
There is no easy way to reconcile educational and religious inclinations, but it seems that a more concerted effort to do so could be made at KU.
"SAY KIDS...SPEAKING OF STUFF THAT'S BAD FOR YOU..."
Symphony's lack of community support protested
To the editor:
On April 16 the Lawrence Symphony will give a concert. the current plan is not auditing regular members will be absent.
The plan referred to is for the symphony not to pay the musicians. Notwithstanding the local musician's union is in a position to pay. The symphony is in debt and simply cannot afford the money. Even without paying the players, the symphony would spend more than $1,000 to produce.
Why does this problem exist? The town of Lawrence has failed to support its symphony. Contributions from individuals and corporations simply fall far short of what is needed. Many musicians think that the option of reducing wages to zero was too easily selected by the government. Certainly it involves much less work than publicity campaigns and fund-raising events.
Due in large measure to the presence of University of
Letters Policy
The Kansan welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be typewritten and include the writer's name, address and telephone number. If the writer is affiliated with the University, or the writer is the writer's class and hometown or faculty or staff position. Letters are not to exceed 500 words in length. The Kansan reserves the right to edit all letters for publication.
Kansas faculty and students,
there is an abundance of fine
musicians in Lawrence. I am a
student musician, and the
opportunity to play great music
in a community orchestra is
valuable. As a string player,
i.e., expecting you to be on the
program for April and will be played by a
fine guest solist.
But I choose not to play in this concert It is a difficult choice because I am giving up a chance to do something I really like but there are principles beyond the love of music that apply.
Musicians, especially student musicians, are taken advantage of too frequently in Lawrence. The withdrawal of pay is but one example. Scheduling conflicts occur occasionally. In April, an especially busy month for University musicians, there are concerts scheduled by the Lawrence Symphony and the Lawrence Chamber Players. At least this year they are not on individual cities afternoon and evening concerts—as last year. The Civic Choir also performs with instrumental accompaniment next month. March would be a much better month for some of this activity, at least for those concerts that are the KU production of Verdí's "Falstaff," the annual concerto concerto, the usual number of recitals, and multiple concerts by the collegium musicum. Indeed, the absence of the congruent repertoire in school events necessitates conflicts with other school functions, not to mention civic organizations.
-KANSAN-
Letters
We are constantly reminded that no one makes a living playing for the Lawrence
Symphony. That is true. Also, we are told that the learning experience is valuable. True again. Many people will play the coming concert. They will do it because they love the music, and I respond by saying they will experience the will have. I cannot allow myself to be thoughtlessly used any longer.
We musicians are guilty of allowing ourselves to be mistreated. Last fall a group of string players voted to play a concert and miss the performance of the Guarneri String Quartet, for which many of us already ticked. We
If the community of Lawrence cannot support a symphony, it is not the responsibility of already busy musicians to give Lawrence a symphony or the reason that we are being asked to do just that. In the long run, this town will be the loser if the current plan is not amended. The absence of many players
play for free or for very little money for local composers, civic groups, churches and others. We are still waiting for union payments for the last three Lawrence Symphony concerts, dating back to last summer.
Lawrence deserves better and so do the musicians. I hope the community—businesses concerned for their children—concerned for their children's education and anyone who loves the live performance of great music—will agree. I hope Lawrence recognize benefits of support for a symphony orchestra.
and the lowered morale of those who do participate are an unpleasant prospect.
Tom Reel Lawrence junior
The victory of Ethiopian
Somali greed disrupts unity
To the editor:
forces over Somalia occupation troops and the subsequent Somali announcement to withdraw her remaining troops seems to have ended with defeat in the region of Ethiopia for now. But before we write off the conflict as one more case in a continuing series of Russian-sponsored Cuban adventures in Africa, neoclassical leaders can be confidently and draw the ruthless lessons and conclusions.
A few facts are necessary to clarify the issues. Some (note, some) of the people in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia are ethnically of Somali origin. So are some of the people in Djibouti, Kenya. Somalia has laid claim to all these places as well as the whole of the Republic of Djibouti. Somali leaders always have' had visions of forming a greater country. The invasion and occupation of Ethiopia was difficult. Perhaps there is nothing wrong in that. Imagine that the Republic of Mexico suddenly laid claim to, and involved parts of New Mexico, California and Texas because they were part of the United States. You then will get an idea of what Somalia is trying to do.
The Organization of African Unity resolved specifically against this type of action. African nations condemned the Somali action not only it poses a security threat but the security of other nations but also because it could be the start of a dangerous chain reaction—the end of which one can predict. There are a myriad of ethnic and religious African countries that are ready to create unity in this diversity. That was why theOAU voiced concern about this
jingoistic brand of Somali nationalism.
But while Ethiopia, indeed all Africa, was worrying about the Somali invasion, the State Department did not concern. Rather, the State Department gave tacit approval for the dictatorial monarchies in the African midlands and used weapons to dearms to the Somali occupation troops. It was this that prompted the Ethiopians to call for help from outside to help protect and preserve their security.
Africans think that individual countries have the right to form alliances if need be. The countries of Europe, indeed those all over the world, are tied in one way, in military alliances because of imagined threats to their security. America has thousands of troops all over the world. She has no monopoly on them.
this and should not attempt to dictate to any country. Furthermore, America has not helped any African country to achieve independence. It is ironical that she is now supplying weapons to one country to invade another's territory.
The increasing tendency to perceive Africa as another battleground for the clashing of communist and capitalist ideologies should be condemned. Those who think African interests will be subjected to ideological ones from the truth. Until November Somalia was one of Russia's best friends in Africa. They were kicked out with ignominy.
The only victor in the Ogaden conflict has been Africa. The further balkanization of the continent has been prevented.
President, African Students Association
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Published at the University of Kansas daily August 12, 2009. Subscriptions are due June and July except Saturday, Sunday and holiday. Subscriptions by mail are a $5 member or $18 student. Subscription by phone is a $4 member or $18 student. A year outside the county. Student subscriptions are a $7 member or $16 student.
Editor Barbara Rosewicz
Managing Editor Editorial Editor John Mueller
Manage Editor John Muelter
Campus Editor Barry Murray
Editors Klaus Kouzow
Assistant Campus Editors Db Miller, Leon Ruiz
Associate Sports Editor Withea Branun
Associate Sports Editor Whithea Branun
Business Manage.
Patricia Thornton
Assistant Business Manager Karen Thompson
Advertising Manager Lanie Dawson
Lannie Dawnon
National Advertising Manager Nim Morrison
Classified Manager Kathy Killip
Lannie Dawnon
Publisher
David Dary