FRANKFORT, Ky. -  A Kentucky House committee has approved a proposed $17.5 billion state budget for the next two years that includes cuts to higher education.

It seeks more savings by speeding up parole for some nonviolent criminals.

The measure cleared the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee by a wide margin Tuesday night. The bill now heads to the full House for a possible floor vote on Wednesday.

The proposal includes about $1.3 billion in general fund bonding for a flurry of construction projects aimed at creating thousands of jobs at a time of high unemployment.

Public universities and colleges would receive a 1 percent spending cut in the first year of the next budget cycle and a 1 percent cut in the second year.

The proposal calls for reducing two instructional days in public school districts.