Twelve members of the U.S. House of Representatives have written a letter to Gov. Rick Perry of Texas questioning his decision to veto more than $155-million in community-college spending, the bulk of which was slated for employee health-insurance.

“This unexpected veto has left over 50 Texas community colleges with large budget shortfalls,” says the letter, dated June 25. “In order to cover these costs, many community colleges are considering tax and tuition increases, hiring freezes, and cuts to programs. This impacts both current and future students, and the quality and accessibility of education within the State of Texas.”

The letter, signed solely by Democratic members of the Texas delegation, asks the governor to reconsider his veto and to provide evidence for his charge that community colleges had falsified their budget requests. Governor Perry, a Republican, has indicated that he is likely to stand by his veto, the Midland Reporter-Telegram reported.

George R. Boggs, president of the American Association of Community Colleges, has also expressed concern. The vetoed appropriations represent “a tremendous and inequitable financial blow” to the colleges and their students, he wrote in a letter to the governor last month. —Elyse Ashburn