Significant cuts to higher education are on the horizon if Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Emmer is elected.

Emmer released the final portion of his plan to curb the state’s projected $5.8 billion deficit on Tuesday. It includes about $400 million in cuts to higher education.

“We’ll work out details with the two Legislative bodies and frankly with the leadership of the University and MnSCU,” Emmer said.

Emmer’s proposal is based on the idea that the projected fiscal year 2012-2013 deficit is inflated. He believes projected spending is not within the state’s means.

Still, higher education funding levels in Emmer’s proposal are $300 million lower than in this biennium.

Projected spending levels in his plan would be nearly $6.5 billion lower than current projections, but would increase more than $1.5 billion over this biennium.

Other cuts in projected spending include nearly $500 million from K-12 education, $2.25 million from health and human services and more than $1 billion from government aid.