At a press conference today, a group of legislators spoke about how proposed budget cuts could impact the state's aging population.

The press conference was held in honor of former Sen. Vernon Malone, who died in April. In the Senate, Malone was an advocate for issues facing the elderly.

Among various cuts, the House budget proposed cutting about $50 billion for in-home health services, though $34 million of that would be restored by the proposed revenue package. Cuts also would impact adult care facilities.

"It is our responsibility to protect those most in need, out citizens and the elderly," said Sen. Katie Dorsett, a Raleigh Democrat.

Speakers said representatives succeeded in preventing major cuts to services for the elderly, but they noted that, with the House and Senate representatives beginning to conference on the budget, there is stil a long way to go.

More after the jump.

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Should a Cabinet appointee oversee military affairs?

An advisory group on military issues for Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue has recommended the creation of a new Cabinet-level position, perhaps called the secretary of military affairs.

The appointee would oversee the long-term sustainability of the state's military bases, economic development, base relocation measures, support services for members of the military and their families and identifying places for training.

"Base sustainability (that is, protection against inappropriate development near bases that  is inconsistent with the military function of the bases) is an issue of immediate concern that could be addressed by the cabinet-level office," the report notes. "The secretary could (also) oversee land use planning to protect effective military use of bases."

The report argues the position would open "clear channels of communication" between military and civilian leaders in North Carolina.

If created, the position would become the 11th member of the governor's Cabinet, and the first since the secretary of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention was added in 2000.

The legislature would have to approve the position.

One member of the advisory group on aging also recommended creating a new Cabinet post to look into issues of the elderly, while a group on energy split on whether to identify a "point person" on that issue.