ATLANTA -- Seven of the organizers of Monday's student protest against possible cuts to higher-education spending met this morning with Democratic legislators to offer support for their proposals.

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The organizers, from the Young Democrats of Georgia and the Georgia Students for Public Higher Education, called for passage of Democratic bills to reform the collection of sales taxes, eliminate ineffective tax breaks and prohibit teacher furloughs. They also supported a Republican bill to boost the tax on cigarettes.

Steve Golden, a recent graduate and chief of staff for the Young Democrats, compared his approach to the budget with how he prepared for his high school prom.

"We tried to find every nickel and dollar and dime to have the best prom we could. We said we'd want the best limo, the best tux and the best dress, and we would want to go to the best restaurant," he said. "What we didn't do is say we'd just go with the cheap stuff.

"The cuts that are being proposed are like just going for the bare minimum and not trying to find more money," he continued. "What I'd be doing is trying to ask my mom for an advance on my allowance."

Rep. Brian Thomas, D-Lilburn, asked the students if they had sought to cooperate with Young Republicans and College Republicans in their efforts. Golden said he would reach out through friends to the Republicans, noting that he talked with five students at Monday's nearly 500-person rally who were Republicans.

Will Avery, a graduate student at West Georgia State University and leader in the Georgia Students for Public Higher Education, said the groups were also seeking a meeting next week with Republican legislative leaders.

"We wanted to meet with you first," he told the Democratic Caucus.

House Democratic Leader DuBose Porter said the income boost a college education provides is one way to build investment capital in the state and ensure broader prosperity. The Republicans controlling the legislature, he said, are on the wrong track by considering cuts to the state's 35 public colleges.

"We have built a world-class education system that is threatened by what the Republican leadership is doing," he said.