Democratic gubernatorial candidate for governor, Paul Davis, made a campaign stop in Great Bend on Saturday and spoke to a crowd of about 50 people. Davis expressed concerns about sales tax, property tax, college tuition and utility rates all rising.
“The governor loves to tout his tax cuts,” he said. “Sales taxes

Deletproperty taxes and college tuition are up. Utility rates are up. In 86 counties, property tax is up.”
Davis said he’s never seen a time when there has been a greater cost to being a Kansan. “Kansans are earning less and paying more.”
He said that the governor’s tax plan has shifted the tax burden to the middle class tax payer, which includes the elimination of the state income tax for many businesses.
 One example he gave later was that at the doctor’s office.  The doctor avoid’s paying corporate state income tax, but the nurse and the receptionist pay state income tax on every dime they receive, he said.
“The wealthy and the well-connected get all the breaks, today,” Davis said.
The candidate criticized the cuts to education. Davis, who is a lifelong Kansan, said both of his parents were teachers.
The state has always supported education, Davis said. “We have a moral obligation to give our children the best education possible.”
Parents are paying fee after fee for their schoolchildren, and the governor has made the large cuts to education, Davis said. The state needs strong schools, and the governor’s policies should revere education.
When asked about the death penalty, Davis said that he had spent time studying the issue and the process. “I am generally comfortable with the law as it is.”
Rep. Davis, D-Lawrence is the minority leader of the Kansas House of Representatives. Wichita businesswoman Jill Docking is running as lieutenant governor.  The 41-year-old attorney is married and has a daughter. He is a partner in the firm of Fagan, Emert & Davis.
 Earlier this week, Davis was in Hutchinson and Hays. Other stops this weekend include Pratt, Dodge City and Larned.
He thanked those who came out in the winter weather and said, “I relish any opportunity to be in a roomful of Kansans who care about the future of the state.”
Davis said he is a moderate and an independent thinker and willing to sit down and talk to anyone no matter what their public affiliation was.