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Sen. Ed Jones says filing a spending bill is like buying insurance.

The Halifax County Democrat has filed 10 bills seeking a total of $17.2 million in special appropriations.

He said that he knows with the state facing at least a $2 billion shortfall that chances are slim any of his projects will get funding.

But he said that he wants to make sure he's in line in case some extra money is found.

"I want my insurance policy out there just in case something does happen," he said. "People sent me up here to look after their best interest, and this is in their best interest."

All of Jones' proposals are for spending in the seven counties he represents: Repairing the historic Hope Plantation in Windsor, the Newbold-White House in Hertford, and the Barker House in Edenton; building a public library and a Boys and Girls Club in Ahoskie; replacing a high school roof and building a senior center in Gates County; and upgrading a child care facility.

The largest bill is for $11.8 million to expand and run the N.C. Center for Automotive Research in Jackson.

Jones said the spending is especially needed in the poorer northeastern counties he represents, saying it's comparable to a lottery ticket.

"You can't win if you don't play," he said.

State legislators have now asked for $120.7 million.

Nine more bills filed since Dome last checked have added another $26 million in spending, even as the state faces a $2 billion shortfall.

The largest request of the most recent batch is for $20 million to provide grants through the Rural Economic Development Center to help rural communities. The smallest is $50,000 to study the feasability of offering financial incentives to students to get good grades.

Other spending bills would create a No Adult Left Behind initiative to train adult workers, help the Ahoskie Boys and Girls Club build a new facility, help renovate the historic Barker House in Edenton, repair the historic Hope Plantation, help build a new public library in Ahoskie, pay for an employee to run the N.C. Troopers Association's Caisson Unit, and fund the N.C. Science Olympiad.

The bills also call for $5.3 million in spending next year.

Ongoing coverage of spending bills is available here.