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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State legislators have now asked for $181.4 million.

Eight more bills filed since Dome last checked have added another $60.7 million in requested spending, even as the state faces a $2 billion shortfall.

The largest request of the most recent batch is $50 million for the N.C. Housing Trust Fund, which finances low-income housing. The smallest is $50,000 for a caisson coordinator at the State Highway Patrol, an amount already requested in another bill.

Other spending bills would help run senior centers, provide block grants for home and community care, support people with dementia and their caregivers, fund a pilot program for adult protective services, and help domestic violence shelters.

In all, the requests amount to nine percent of the estimated shortfall.

The bills also call for another $11.1 million in spending next year, bringing the total requests for that budget year to $27.9 million.

Ongoing coverage of spending bills is available here.