The 2 percent budget cut Gov. Haley Barbour ordered for Mississippi's public universities and community colleges would be restored under a deficit appropriations bill passed Wednesday by the state House.

Lawmakers said the colleges can't survive without the $18 million in funding that was lost through the 2 percent cuts.

Lawmakers said money would help the colleges operate for the rest of fiscal year 2009, which ends June 30. The bill passed 87-34.

However, it could face opposition in Senate because the bill would transfer money from the state's rainy day fund to the universities. Some Senate leaders are opposed to raiding the rainy day fund.