Per-student funding for preK through 12 would drop by 1.2 percent, or $86 per student, under the House's proposal to cut $481-million from schools.

The proposed budget cuts also maintain the required local effort at current levels, by using $161-million in recurring state money -- "a high priority for Speaker Sansom and the Speaker," said schools and learning council chairman Rep. Joe Pickens.

The budget proposal also adds back $54-million in recurring general revenue to make up for the expected losses from the recently passed property tax amendment.

And universities would lose less than 1 percent, $17-million, though the proposal hinges on a 6 percent undergraduate tuition hike likely to meet the governor's opposition. Community colleges would actually see a 1 percent increase in their funding with the tuition recenues.

"It's not something I'm excited about," Gov. Charlie Crist just said when asked about the tuition. "I'm hoping there are other efficiencies we can look at as an alternative."