Rep. Paul Davis is testing the waters for a 2014 gubernatorial race. DAVIS ALSO was in the minority by voting against the authorization of handguns in state buildings.
He should jump in.
As the current House minority leader, Davis, D-Lawrence, has a wealth of experience.
Besides, he walks his talk, meaning his votes reflect his values.
In this most recent legislative session Davis voted “nay” on four key issues. All passed, which is not to say Davis is not representing his constituents. To the contrary.
For example, Davis voted against reducing state income tax rates.
Kansas legislators are taking our state down a road to disaster because of their unwillingness to properly fund schools, highways, and social services.
Already, fiscal year 2013 is behind last year’s budget numbers.
Yes, all the buzz from the revenue department says receipts are “up” $90 million. But that’s against what was expected.
In fact, today’s revenues are $72 million behind last year’s at this time.
Poll after poll has shown Kansans view education, healthcare and infrastructure as a responsibility of the Legislature. You can’t be pro-education but anti-tax in the same breath.
Starting July 1, persons licensed to carry concealed guns are able to enter most public buildings armed.
The new law has made city, county and school district officials seek exemptions to avoid the costly security measures necessary to detect firearms.
Davis also voted against Kansas’ claim that it need not obey federal laws regarding firearms.
In regards to Kansas courts, Davis voted against authorizing the governor to have sole authority to appoint judges to the Kansas Court of Appeals.
The old system included a commission, which vetted nominees for the governor’s appointment.
Giving the governor this power raises all kinds of temptation to return favors by appointment to the bench of the state’s second-highest court. Word has it Brownback also wants the same power for appointments to the state’s Supreme Court.
To his credit, Davis is not looked upon favorably by the Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity tea party movement, which gives him a 10 percent rating for his political stances.
At the other end of the political spectrum, the Kansas Association of School Boards gives him a 75 percent rating. He’s also received endorsements from Kansas Farm Bureau and the state chapter of the AFL-CIO.
Davis is on record for supporting a stronger minimum wage and in 2009 praised then-governor Kathleen Sebelius for raising the state’s minimum wage from $2.65 an hour to $7.25 an hour.
Contrary to his voting record, Davis is a positive and amiable person with energy to spare.
He’s also gutsy to be willing to go up against Brownback, who walked away with a 63 percent majority in the 2010 race against State Sen. Tom Holland.
Davis knows his candidacy is a longshot — unless the voters say otherwise.
— Susan Lynn
Davis has guts
