This time next week the budget battle begins, as state lawmakers return to Topeka.

Wichita area lawmakers are gearing up for the session, with a review of the budget mess they will face during this session, and over the next few years.

Senator Les Donovan says, "We just have to realize the revenue is not there and we're going to have to make do the best we can with the resources we have."

Legislators also got a heads up from 14 local agencies and groups about the resources they'll be pushing for this year.

Transportation funding tops the list for the city of Wichita, as lobbyists push to protect monies for the Kellogg expansion and the railroad corridor

Meanwhile, the Wichita School District is lobbying to keep the state responsible for funding schools instead of shifting the burden to local governments.

The list goes on and on and while legislators say they understand the need, they must also face reality.

Senator Donovan says, "All of the groups involved are going to have to understand that things are different right now we're in a different mode and a different climate."

The budget situation is only expected to get worse. The estimated shortfall for 2004 could reach $1 billion.