Scott Hirko tries not to get involved with political games, but when it comes to his future, he's not messing around.

Hirko, a second-year graduate student in MSU's higher, adult and lifelong education program, responded to the Republican-controlled state Senate's initiative to cut funding from Michigan's educational system by launching a Web site, www.geocities.com/michiganforknowledge/.

Cutting funds from K-12 schooling and higher education would cripple the state, Hirko said.

"Those that are already underprivileged, that have less resources and money to get to college, are going to be less likely to get to college," Hirko said. "This reduces my ability to be prepared for the new-knowledge economy. It affects my ability to receive the best education that I can get because I won't be exposed to diversity."

The Senate's proposed plan, spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Michael Bishop, R-Rochester, would cut more than $377 million from K-12 education and additional funding from the general fund, which gives money to higher education institutions.

On the site, Hirko urged people to put pressure on Bishop by signing a petition.

On Monday, he delivered his second petition to Bishop's office at the Capitol in Lansing. About 60 people from eight colleges and universities have signed the petition, he said, adding that he will continue to deliver petitions until "they hear us."

"Cutting funding to education in a state in economic crisis is a step back in time," the petition stated. "We urge you to comprehend that higher education is essential to advance in today's knowledge economy."

Given the budget deficit for the current fiscal year, which is about $600 million, funding education at such a high rate isn't feasible, said Louis Meizlish, Bishop's spokesman.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm issued an executive order in March that cut $344 million from the state's budget deficit. Part of that order included a measure to delay payments to higher education institutions, including MSU, which will receive $13 million in postponed payments.

"The legislature and the governor have a constitutional obligation to resolve the 2007 budget deficit — that's job one right now," Meizlish said. "Unveiling expensive plans that we cannot afford is a distraction from the problem at hand."

Cutting from education is a short-term solution and presents no long-term remedy for the state's economic future, Hirko said.

"They're cutting out of the budget and running away from the problem," Hirko said. "What's going to happen next year when the problem presents itself again? There's no willingness to understand that cutting education, especially at the K-12 level, inhibits the growth of future college students."

Ceasing higher education funding would be a detriment to both students and the state, said Kristin Magruder, a human biology freshman.

"Without funding, there will be less people getting a higher education," Magruder said.