The Kansas Legislature may have started a new session in a new year, but once again, it faces a budget crisis — so be patient.

That was the gist of the message five Douglas County legislators gave to more than 40 people attending Friday evening’s Capital Connections forum at the Hereford House restaurant, 4931 W. Sixth St.

“There’s no way we’re going to tax our way out of this, cut our way out of this or grow our way out of this,” said Sen. Mark Buhler, R-Lawrence. “It’s probably going to be a combination of all of them.”

Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, urged residents to tell legislators what they wanted, cuts or taxes, and “we’ll vote appropriately.”

Sloan, who oversees the Higher Education Committee, said he would be bringing in classified and unclassified employees from universities to discuss their concerns with legislators.

Rep. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin, along with Buhler and Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, promised to look out for small-business owners. He also expressed concern about health-care costs.

The state needs to develop a comprehensive education plan and perhaps offer some financial incentives to get school districts to consolidate, Davis said.

Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, described Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ speech to the Legislature earlier this week as positive because it would restore funds to the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services but wouldn’t cut public education.

“I think it was a start,” Ballard said. “There were a lot of things that were not addressed.”

¢ 6News video: Budget, education topics at Capital Connections

Ballard also noted the Legislature still had to “figure out where we can save. We’re still in the hole.”

News that state funding for building the remainder of the South Lawrence Trafficway might not be readily available worried legislators, but Buhler said he thought the funding would be obtained.

Capital Connections is sponsored by the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.