The Iowa House approved a two-part, $25 million cut to the current state budget, which would include a $3.5 million blow to higher education.

Representatives voted 56-43 to pass the bill, which slices $9 million from this year’s state budget. An additional across-the-board 1 percent budget cut, amounting to nearly $17 million, also will be considered by Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack.

Elementary and secondary education would not be affected by either cut, but the regent universities and the state’s community colleges will have money taken from their current budgets if the second measure is approved by the governor.

Rep. Barbara Finch, R-Ames, crossed party lines and voted against the second cut.

“I do believe that we are in a financial bind, and I understand the need for cuts,” she said. “But I was hoping that, with my vote and others, all of education could be exempt.”

ISU student leaders are keeping in touch with area legislators to make sure students’ needs stay at the forefront of Iowa’s priorities.

“When the university seems to be in trouble, our representatives are really good at letting us know how we can get involved,” said Andy Tofilon, Government of the Student Body director of intergovernmental affairs.

Tofilon and GSB President Ben Golding have already sent a letter to Vilsack encouraging him to veto the cut.

“We’re very hopeful that the governor will veto the 1 percent across-the-board cut,” Tofilon said.

“We really want to see the zero cut at Iowa State.”