Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday enacted $35.5 million in budget cuts that are needed to balance the state's budget.

Reynolds announced she has signed Senate File 2117, which authorizes $11 million in cuts to the University of Iowa and Iowa State University as well as $10 million from the Iowa Economic Development Authority's High Quality Jobs program.

Other cuts included $4.3 million from the Department of Human Services; $3.4 million from the Department of Corrections; $1.6 million from the judicial branch; and $500,000 from community colleges.

More:Lawmakers strike deal cutting $35.5 million — $11 million from Board of Regents alone — from state budget

"Iowa’s economy is growing with a near record low unemployment rate of 2.9 percent," Reynolds' spokeswoman, Brenna Smith, said in a statement. "Gov. Reynolds is pleased to balance the state’s budget and will continue her work to unleash opportunities for all Iowans."

The cuts were needed to balance the current year's budget, which ends June 30.

Though state revenue continues to grow, it has consistently fallen short of the quarterly estimates lawmakers use to set spending levels. This is the second consecutive year Iowa officials have had to make mid-year cuts to align spending with revenue.

Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, called on Reynolds to veto the "unnecessary, harmful" $11 million cut to the state's universities. He criticized Republicans for rejecting a proposal to shorten the legislative session in an effort to save money.

"Meanwhile you’re putting it all on the backs of our students, vulnerable Iowans," he said. "You ought to be ashamed of yourselves."