Proposed cuts to higher education funding next year were significantly decreased tonight as lawmakers closed the books on the 2009 legislative session.In Gov. Bobby Jindal’s proposed state spending budget, public colleges and universities were set to take a $219 million hit to help make up for an expected $1.3 billion drop in state revenue the fiscal year that begins July 1.Lawmakers agreed — after much debate — to pull $86 million from the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund, also known as the rainy day fund, to help fill gaps in the budget.Higher education is now looking at $105 million in cuts after the Legislature restored $114 million through the use of rainy day fund dollars, money from the Shaw Group and other funds.Louisiana Board of Regents Spokeswoman Meg Casper said in an e-mail that the Regents are reviewing the final budget cut numbers and will distribute totals to the four college systems in the next few days.How the cuts will affect the University remains to be seen.—–Contact Kyle Bove at [email protected]