Senate votes to cut college funding - Associated Press

Republicans in the Legislature moved ahead Tuesday with proposals to balance the state budget without tax increases, opting to cut funding for universities and community colleges by 3.1%. Both bills go to the Democrat-led House next. The Republican-led state Senate voted 21-16 mostly along party lines to cut aid to the community colleges. The university budget passed 20-17. Tuesday's votes are among the first in what likely will be a lengthy budget fight among the Senate, House and Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm. They're trying to erase a projected $1.7-billion deficit in the budget year starting Oct. 1.