RALEIGH — A top Republican budget writer in the state Senate says colleagues likely will consider whether it makes sense to reduce the number of University of North Carolina system campuses.

Sen. Pete Brunstetter of Forsyth County said potential consolidation will be part of the hard look the Senate takes at the UNC system this year. The system has 16 traditional campuses and UNC School of the Arts in Winston-Salem.

Brunstetter says senators can envision campus consolidation and suggested that could mean 14 or 15 campuses.

UNC system leaders, the House and Gov. Pat McCrory certainly would weigh on such a proposal.

McCrory's budget proposal released this week would spend $143 million less in state funds next year for the UNC system compared to this year.