Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback says he’s going to cut nearly $45 million in funding for public schools and higher education in March.

But the governor also suggested that lawmakers could head off the reductions by withholding $54 million from public schools instead.

The Republican governor announced his plans for the current budget cycle Thursday just ahead of a Senate vote on a bill aimed at erasing a projected $344 million deficit.

Kansas law gives the governor the authority to make some budget cuts on his own to keep the budget in balance.

The $54 million represents additional funding required under a law enacted last year to boost aid to poor districts. The promised aid is costing more than anticipated.