Funding cuts distress colleges.

Aug. 23--One year from now, area community colleges could be facing extreme funding shortages unless the state returns some much-needed money recently slashed by the governor.

In June, Gov. Rick Perry vetoed $154 million in health insurance coverage from all 50 Texas community colleges. He accused colleges of falsifying funding requests for health insurance.

Since then, college leaders and some legislators have started a state-wide campaign to restore the funds. The effort has brought hope to local college leaders.

But the money hasn't been returned yet, and local colleges stand to lose large portions of their budgets beginning next fall if the veto isn't reversed.

--Amarillo College

AC will be searching for $3.8 million to pay for employee health insurance if the state cuts stand.

AC President Steven Jones called the cuts "unexpected and unwarranted" when the veto was announced. He was among the first college leaders to publicly oppose the governor's decision.