(Radio Iowa) — Iowa’s three public universities are asking lawmakers for an additional 18 million dollars in the next fiscal year. In the past two years, lawmakers cut millions more than that from Iowa, Iowa State and the University of Northern Iowa to make up for lower-than-expected state tax revenue. Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen says if the request isn’t met, the financial burden will continue to shift to students in the form of higher tuition.

“That’s something that everyone needs to remember. What do we want our reputation in Iowa to be? Historically, for 100 years, it’s been about supporting education, having an educated workforce, supporting innovation in science,” Winterstein says. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has endorsed the 18 milion dollar boost for the universities in Ames, Cedar Falls and Iowa City, but Republicans in the legislature haven’t signalled whether they intend to provide extra money to the schools.