Legislative leaders were unable to agree on the university sytem's budget during meetings held Monday.
The meeting broke up just before 6 p.m. with Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, saying they were done for the night and would resume in the morning.
Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, said during an earlier break the group was "very close" " just $14 million dollars apart.
"You get down to that last inch and nobody wants to give any more," she said.
That number, however, is much closer to agreement than the more than $50 million lawmakers were divided on when meetings started Monday morning.
Horsford said the goal is to cut the university system "as little as possible."
Asked if that meant 10 percent, he said: "I think it's reasonable. As dire as that is to some programs, it's more reasonable than the governor's plan."
The governor's proposed higher education budget would cut the system by 35.9 percent overall.
"If we don't come to some agreement, the people of Nevada are going to be living with Gov. Gibbons' failed budget," said Horsford. "Without consensus, the cuts we're going to make are in some cases as bad as the governor's budget."
When meetings last week broke up, the percentage cut was reportedly at 14 percent.
"It isn't just higher education. It's the whole budget," said Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno.
He said cuts have to be balanced with any increases in revenue to fund essential services but that lawmakers "have to be mindful of the impact" on struggling Nevadans and businesses.
"There are reasonable limits I think everyone understands," Raggio said.
All participants said they would return to the closed-door bargaining early Tuesday morning.
Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.