Grand Rapids - Gov. Jennifer Granholm told The State News on Friday that state universities should expect a 1.5 percent funding cut in coming days.

The cut - equaling $5 million for MSU - comes on the heals of an executive order last month reducing the university's state intake by $6 million.

"I think we are going to see this 1.5 percent cut," said Granholm, after addressing the Michigan Press Association.

Granholm met with presidents of state universities Thursday to discuss the cuts and design possible solutions.

However, the proposed cuts fall too harshly on higher education said Senate Majority leader Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming.

"The numbers given Tuesday had very little cuts to state government," he said. "The cuts rather were forced upon universities and job development programs.

"We need to walk the walk by cutting state government first."

Republicans and Granholm agree raising taxes is not an option to solving the current budget crisis, but Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing, said the state needs to generate more revenue.

"I don't think you can cut your way out of this deficit," he said. "You have to have some kind of revenue enhancement