As they reduced their current-year budgets by more than $350-million this afternoon, education committee chairs Sens. Stephen Wise and Evelyn Lynn warned of tougher decisions to come -- ones that will hit families.

Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, said higher university and community college tuition likely will be considered for 08-09, given the reduced state revenues.

"What the amount will be, and whether we can get agreement from the governor, is another story," she said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Wise said 08-09 might be the first time in more than three decades that per-student funding (now about $7,100) goes down.

"Next year is going to be dismal at best," he said. "I would say we have to cut closer to a billion, rather than half a billion (this year)."