Topeka - It could take a big knife to slice away the hole in the state's budget.

The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group met Thursday. CJOnline reports it concluded the state's budget is $258 million dollars short.

Gov. Mark Parkinson has been saying for the past two weeks that he would develop a plan to balance the budget after the group met and before lawmakers return in January.

He issued the following statement Thursday:

“Today, we confirmed that the state will take in less money in fiscal year 2010 than we had planned. As concerning as this news is, alarmists rarely make good decisions; therefore, we must maintain a calm and measured approach to balancing this budget within our existing means. These deficit numbers are challenging, but they are manageable.

“Once I balance the 2010 budget, I will turn my attention to crafting a 2011 budget for the Legislature in January. I will consider all the options available for ensuring a responsible, balanced budget that best reflects our priorities and values as Kansans.

“The decisions and options facing the state are difficult, but elected leaders are not called to do what is simple, they are called to do what is necessary. I understand that in today’s political climate, the challenges of governing are dominated by sound bites and slogans – but we have an opportunity to change this.

“To Legislators across Kansas, I say this: in the coming weeks, I will take whatever steps are necessary to balance the 2010 budget before the Legislature returns; that is a promise I have made, and it is a promise I will keep. In return, I only ask that we rise above the normal partisan bickering that prevents us from moving forward, and find a higher ground to build a better state and future. We have avoided the political degeneration that has caused gridlock in Washington D.C., and I appreciate that, but we can only continue to meet these challenges by acting like civil adults and working together.”