Some state lawmakers are questioning Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposal to shift $485 million of City University of New York costs from the state to New York City.
If that deal goes through, Cuomo's expected to give CUNY $240 million to help end a five-year bargaining dispute with its faculty and staff.
At a budget hearing, Sen. Kenneth LaValle, a Long Island Republican, calls it "a very serious problem."
Sen. Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat, says she considers it a "cut" because Mayor Bill de Blasio may not be obligated to change his own budget plans.
CUNY Chancellor James Milliken, asked what he would do if CUNY took a cut this large, says some colleges would have to close.
Cuomo is proposing $4.08 billion appropriations for CUNY, down $42 million overall.
