Topeka ? With the Kansas Legislature deadlocked over whether to increase taxes or cut more from the state budget, competing rallies took place Wednesday as the wrap-up session started.

State officials face an estimated $500 million budget hole after having already cut spending by nearly $1 billion. Legislators made no progress on the budget on Day One of their return to the Capitol, but hundreds of people had their say.

About 600 Kansans with disabilities and their advocates cheered outside the Statehouse in support of a tax increase to restore services that have been slashed and eliminate waiting lists of more than 4,000 people.

The rally concluded “Walk A Mile In My Shoes Run, Walk and Roll Relay” events through various cities in Kansas, including Lawrence.

Kathly Lobb of Lawrence, who receives support from Cottonwood Inc., said if she didn’t receive assistance, “I would kind of be stuck at home.”

Michelle Garrison, who also receives services through Cottonwood, said she hoped legislators could end waiting lists so Kansans with disabilities could get out in the community and work. “They should be able to work,” she said.

More than 50 people from Cottonwood were at the rally.

Volunteers, in conjunction with the event, walked more than 16,000 miles in their communities in an effort to raise awareness. The event was sponsored by InterHab, a resource network for Kansans with disabilities.

Later in the day, about 200 people attended an anti-tax rally outside the Capitol, sponsored by the Kansas chapter of Americans for Prosperity.

Some of the participants held signs that read: “Don’t Mortgage My Future” and “Stop Feeding the Bloated Pig.”

Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Overland Park, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said the state needed to cut its spending more. “It’s time government lives within its means,” he said.

Gordon Longabach of Lawrence attended the rally. He said he is mostly concerned over spending in Washington, D.C.

“We’re going to be taxed to death,” he said.

Carol Moyer of Parsons said she knew that cutting the budget was difficult but believed school spending could be reduced more.