Many state agencies would face 2 percent budget cuts, but several key services -- including the Nebraska State Patrol and centers that care for mentally disabled people -- might be spared.

The Legislature's budget-writing Appropriations Committee tentatively signed off on the plan Tuesday.

Changes are needed because the state faces a roughly $45 million budget hole in the current, two-year budget.

The hole is created because state tax revenue has been lower than projected and spending on K-12 schools is growing.

Besides agency budget cuts, the plan to fill the budget gap includes tapping a couple cash funds and taking $3 million from the state's rainy-day fund. And the state expects to receive more federal stimulus dollars than originally expected.