LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska lawmakers have given first-round approval to a new funding formula for the state's community colleges.
    
The bill by York Sen. Greg Adams would adjust how state aid is divided among the colleges, a point of contention between Omaha's Metropolitan Community College and its counterparts. Lawmakers advanced the measure Monday with a 40-1 vote.
    
Metro and the other colleges have fought over the formula for years.
    
Critics say it subsidizes smaller colleges with money from Metro, which has more students and provides larger economic benefits for the state. Adams said his bill would make it easier for the colleges to predict how much they will receive each year in state aid. All six colleges support the bill.