Just as the recession has taken a toll in other states, New Jersey state budget coffers are shriveling up as public colleges and other state-supported services are asked to do more with less. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's slashing of $173 million from public colleges and universities has drawn the ire of higher education leaders, educators and students and has forced the public schools to impose a 4 percent increase in tuition and adopt additional cost-cutting measures. For some, the bad economy represents only a small aspect of the problems facing public colleges across the nation. While the recession has exposed chronic problems in financing public colleges, many argue that it will take more than an improved economy to solve these issues. The realization has some schools and states thinking more strategically about long-term reforms. New Jersey this month will unveil some recommendations designed to address issues impeding its higher education institutions. While nearly all states had public colleges funding faults exacerbated by the economic downturn, New Jersey tops the list because of its lack of capacity. According to data from New Jersey Association of State Colleges & Universities (NJASCU), a nonprofit advocacy group based in Trenton, New Jersey ranks last in providing space for undergraduate state students desiring to attend public colleges. NJASCU puts the number at 30,000 students lost annually at a cost of $6 billion to the state. Additionally, tuition at state schools ranks second-highest in the nation. Advocates say higher education reform in New Jersey should include the state providing more support and financial autonomy for schools.