Substantial cuts to education is warranted for several reasons. 
Missed in online discussions, and most importantly in the house budget proposal, is the fact that admission into the UA system is down into the double digits. The UA president said the decline is due to the declining graduation rates in Alaska high schools, and people's negative perceptions of the university. No doubt the latter is brought on by never ending tuition increases, and inability to control budget increases.
We can recall that several weeks ago the UA president basically stated that product from the public school systems entering the university required having to offer remedial programs in math, English composition and other basic disciplines prior to moving on into college curriculums. Many found the remedial programs too demanding and left the university. 
Dermot and the house democrats solution to this and many similar situations is to throw money at it. Dermot wanted specific cuts, here you go!