Higher education officials said Tuesday that the budget heading to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will be tough, but they were thankful that it wasn’t worse.

The proposal, adopted by the House and Senate, will cut funding to higher education by 7 percent from what was originally appropriated by Sebelius and the Legislature at the end of the 2008 legislative session.

“While this is still a budget cut, compared to what had been on the table it will be much more manageable,” Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway said. Earlier proposals would have reduced funding to higher education by 12 percent.

The Kansas Board of Regents issued a similar news release.

“It is never truly desirable to say we are pleased with a budget cut, but in light of today’s extraordinary fiscal challenges, and as a result of the careful planning undertaken over the past six months, the state’s higher education system is prepared to absorb a 7 percent budget cut in fiscal year 2010,” said Regents Chairwoman Donna Shank.