KTKA

Governor Mark Parkinson took the oath of office at the Statehouse Tuesday night with his wife holding the bible and his kids by his side.

But after a round of applause, his focus immediately turned to business.

He says budget cuts and tax increases will not solve the state's $328 million budget deficit.

Parkinson says it will take a shared sacrifice.

"We will propose and support modest additional cuts to state government, cuts that will maintain the integrity of our education system and our infrastructure that we have all fought so hard to create and to preserve," he said.

The Governor also pointed out that unity among state leaders will play a big role in moving Kansas forward.

"It's time for us to do what our ancestors have done in the past when they faced great adversity," he said. "And that is to roll up our sleeves, work hard, make the tough decisions and move forward, not as Republicans or Democrats but as Kansans to solve the problems we face."

We spoke with leaders from both political parties about Governor Parkinson's plans to fix the budget mess.

"We know we're not going to raise taxes, I mean that's a foregone conclusion," said Sen. Anthony Hensley, (D) Senate Minority Leader. "But we also know that we're going to have to have the minimal amount of budget cuts together with delaying the tax cuts we have on the table right now."

"It was a reaffirmation of the spirit of working together trying to cross party lines and trying to really solve this problem and not just paper Mache our way through," said Sen. Derek Schmidt, (R) Senate Majority Leader. "So I was very encouraged and I think this really gives us a fresh start that we need to use to try to get Kansas through this time."

The budget isn't the only challenge for Parkinson.

Legislators will attempt to veto overrides on the coal and abortion bills before the legislative session wraps up.