Students Protest Proposed Education Cuts

ATLANTA - College students rallied at the state Capitol to protest possible cuts to higher education. 

Between 200 and 300 students gathered on the Capitol steps Monday morning.

They were calling on legislators to protect the state's 35 colleges and universities from budget cuts that could lead to higher tuition and fees and the layoffs of instructors.

Will Avery, a graduate student at the University of West Georgia, said legislators should hike the cigarette tax by $1-per-pack or boost taxes on the state's richest residents to fund education.

The state is facing a $1 billion budget shortfall. Legislators are warning of drastic cuts to the university system -- possibly as much as $565 million. Entire majors could be on the chopping block, leaving many students out of luck. Tuition hikes of up to 50-75% are also on the table.

The state Legislature is set to take up the budget this week after Gov. Sonny Perdue proposed a slate of new cuts last week to deal with shrinking revenues.