SALEM (AP) - A panel of state lawmakers approved sending an additional $10.7 million in funding to the state's 17 community colleges, after hearing details of a new distribution formula.

The additional dollars had been put into reserves by the 2003 Legislature, which wanted the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development to rejigger how the state hands out money to the schools.

The State Board of Education approved the new formula for the 2004-2005 academic year on Monday and cleared the way for lawmakers to authorize release of the money. The changes were prompted by protests from administrators at Central Oregon, Rogue and Southwestern Oregon community colleges.

They say the previous formula unfairly penalized schools that collect significant money from local property taxes.

The Legislative Emergency Board, which handles the state's money matters between sessions, formally approved the extra dollars Friday.

The infusion of $10.7 million will be largely offset if voters reject Measure 30 - which would repeal several new taxes imposed by the 2003 assembly - in the Feb. 3 special election. Community colleges will get $6.8 million less if the measure fails.