Student leaders from Iowa’s three regent universities crowded into a legislature boardroom Monday afternoon to protest the proposed $12.2 million budget cuts to higher education.ISU Government of the Student Body president Ben Golding said students fear the cuts could raise tuition again after a hike of 9.9 percent for the 2001-2002 academic year.”Revenues did not come in as expected … and they are looking for immediate tax cuts,” he said.Sen. Jeff Lamberti, R-Ankeny, said the budget proposals for the state were based on predictions of a 5 percent economic growth in the 2001 fiscal year. However, he said the actual revenue rate was about -0.41 percent.”If we can’t get to 1 percent [growth] and we don’t take action, then we will fall short in fiscal year 2002,” he said.The $40 million proposed tax cut would ease the economic burden on next year, Lamberti said.However, Iowa State will have to absorb a $3.3 million cut in this year’s budget if the proposal is approved.Brian Gongol, University of Northern Iowa student-government representative, said the cuts are too extreme.”This is another mundane function of state government,” said Gongol, senior in humanities and fine arts. “You are using a hacksaw instead of a scalpel.”Lamberti said the average cut for the universities will be about 1 percent. Iowa State receives just over $202 million in state funds, he said. The proposed cut amounts to about 1.63 percent of Iowa State’s funds, excluding money from a general-infrastructure fund and sources outside state funding, Lamberti said.”I don’t think [the cut] should have an impact,” he said. “What kind of leadership do we have in place to not handle a 1 percent budget cut?”Much of the students’ presentation focused on the financial burden placed on students if another tuition hike is approved in response to the cuts.Jennifer Larson, Richardson Court Association senator, said she is concerned about the tuition increases as an out-of-state student.”Everyone loves a tax cut, but most people are willing to pay more for something that benefits them,” said Larson, junior in genetics from Rockford, Ill. “An education hike is a good investment, but how much debt is a good investment?”Iowa’s commitment to education came under fire as many students, including Golding, said they plan to leave the state after graduation.Sen. Wally Horn, D-Cedar Rapids, said the goal of Gov. Tom Vilsack’s Vision Iowa plan is to keep graduates in Iowa.”I get concerned with students leaving the state, … especially because of debt load,” said Horn, Senate Appropriations Committee member.Sen. Patrick Deluhery, D-Davenport, said the state is sending a contradictory message about its commitment to students.”We need younger Iowans, better-paid Iowans,” he said. “[The cut] does not convey a steadiness of purpose.”Lamberti said he would like to keep Iowa’s college graduates from leaving the state, but it will take some work.”I think we all want to do it, but we don’t have the silver bullet to make it happen,” he said. “We understand [Iowa] has limitations.”Sen. Mike Connolly, D-Dubuque, said student activism can be effective in killing the proposed budget cuts.”The legislature recognizes action, too,” he said. “If you can get students here to protest, you ought not think you can’t stop this.”Golding urged senators to look beyond the immediate financial crunch facing the state.”We have heard several remedies, but we are scrambling to find a solution,” he said. “Look at people, not numbers.”