Both Democratic and Republican senators shed tears and shared memories Thursday of Sen. Vernon Malone, a Raleigh Democrat who died April 18.

They described a man who endured segregation in his youth and, as an adult, led the unification of the Raleigh and Wake County school systems, which helped build the system's consistently strong reputation and fuel the county's rapid growth.

"Vernon had a vision and the courage to implement that vision," said Sen. Dan Blue, the Raleigh Democrat who took Malone's seat.

They remembered his attractive handwriting on the notes he passed, the holiday party held by Malone and his late wife, Susan, his sage advice, his soft voice and his warmth.

"A steely gentleman," said Sen. Josh Stein, a Raleigh Democrat.

The normally boisterous Sen. Tony Rand, a Fayetteville Democrat and one of the legislature's most influential figures, broke down in the midst of his remarks.

Sen. Tom Apodaca, a Hendersonville Republican, said he spent part of the morning on his porch contemplating what to say: "All I could hear was Vernon saying, 'Please don't say much. Get on with the business of the state.'"

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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Rosa Gill, the soon-to-be newest member of the General Assembly, says she'll be a strong advocate for education.

Gill doesn't expect she'll be seated in time for next week's budget discussions in the state House. But she plans to make her voice heard when the final votes are taken later this session on the budget.

"Maybe I can persuade them not to cut as much from schools," said Gill, who is currently chairwoman of the Wake County school board. "I'm going to be an advocate for education when I get there."

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The executive committee of the Wake County Democratic Party has named Wake school board chairwoman Rosa Gill to fill the state House seat being vacated by Dan Blue.

Gill narrowly defeated Bernard Allen Jr. this evening, picking up 21 votes, one more than needed for the District 33 seat. Gov. Bev Perdue still needs to appoint Gill but under state law she has to take the Democratic Party's choice because Blue is from that party.

The school board will now have to pick a replacement for Gill's District 4 seat, which covers Southeast Raleigh. The other eight members will appoint a replacement to finish out Gill's term, which expires November 2011.

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Sen. David Weinstein, a Lumberton Democrat, has been appointed to the Legislative Ethics Committee.

The committee consists of six Republicans and six Democrats who set ethical guidelines for legislators and offer guidance on potential conflicts of interests. The group has drawn more attention in recent years with the enactment of new ethics laws and several high profile ethics cases.

"Now, more than ever, it is necessary for a bipartisan effort to self-police," Weinstein said in a statement.

Weinstein, 72, is a retired merchant serving his seventh term. He was appointed to the committee by Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight, a Democrat from Manteo.

Weinstein replaces Sen. Steve Goss, a Democrat from Boone, who moved up to co-chairman of the committee after the death of Sen. Vernon Malone, a Raleigh Democrat.

UPDATE: An astute Dome reader points out a certain disconnect between Weinstein's appointment to the committee that polices the legislature's ethics and his recent comment to the Fayetteville Observer. Weinstein, explaining that it is unlikely he will run for re-election, added: "It's not as fun as it used to be, all that -- the ethics, and the people report anything you do. They always report the bad things, not the good things, and we do a lot of good things."

Dan Blue became North Carolina's newest state senator Tuesday.

Blue, a former House Speaker, was sworn in to fill the seat of Sen. Vernon Malone, who died last month. He received a hearty welcome from his new colleagues after a swearing-in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Sarah Parker and attended by family members.

Several House members slipped into the back of the Senate chamber to watch.

Blue served two terms as speaker in the early '90s. He left the House to run for the U.S. Senate in 2002. He returned to the House in 2006 when he was appointed by Wake County Democratic Party officials to fill the seat of Rep. Bernard Allen, who died in office.

On Tuesday he answered the etiquette question of what to call him. "Senator" is his current title, but as a former speaker, he's still entitled to be called "Mr. Speaker."

"I'd prefer that," he said.

Although he just stepped into a new job, Blue would not rule out getting another one. When he was asked if he might run for the U.S. Senate next year, he responded: "I'm interested in serving the people of North Carolina and have been for three decades."

State Rep. Dan Blue is moving to the Senate — but not yet.

The Raleigh Democrat received 52 of the 84 votes on the first ballot by the Wake County Democratic Party leadership to fill the seat of former Sen. Vernon Malone.

By law, Gov. Beverly Perdue must follow the group's wishes and appoint Blue, a former House speaker who recently returned to the legislature. The term runs through 2010.

But Blue said he did not want to go until he had finished some work in the House.

He defeated Bernard Allen II, son of a former state legislator, and J. Mills Holloway Jr.

The executive committee of the Wake Democrats will soon have to decide on a replacement for Blue in the House. (N&O)

* Former Gov. Jim Hunt to be featured speaker at 2009 international biotechnology convention in Atlanta, to address science education in states.

* Former Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Mike Munger moves to Germany for the summer; Angela Merkel to be mocked shortly.

* Bill drafting director Gerry Cohen outlines the rules behind the upcoming crossover week. Get ready for a hectic week everybody.

* Media consultant J. Mills Holloway, who is running for former Sen. Vernon Malone's seat, has a campaign manager: Marjorie Fields Harris. 

Jack Betts notes that Rep. Dan Blue may get to talk less in his next job:

While both the Senate and the House have political caucuses that guide legislators in their decision-making, the Senate has shorter debates and members often seem to vote along party lines — Democrats especially, since they're in charge and hold a majority of the votes. But the House often seems more deliberative. One reason may be there are a lot more members, and it's difficult to enforce a caucus position on members.

Betts says Blue is the frontrunner for former Sen. Vernon Malone's seat. 

State Rep. Dan Blue also has the official endorsement.

After winning a straw poll by members of the Raleigh-Wake Citizens Association Saturday, the former House speaker was endorsed Monday night to fill the empty seat of former Sen. Vernon Malone by the group's official political action committee.

"There were some strong candidates in the field, but we feel very confident in Mr. Blue, and feel he'll do a great job as a North Carolina senator," said Anthony L. Blalock, chairman of the M-PAC.

The association's political arm was looking for someone who would immediately do a good job representing the district and would also stand a strong chance of holding on to the seat in future elections, he said.

The Wake County Democratic Party will decide Wednesday on his replacement.

Meantime, rival candidate Marlowe Foster announced that if he is chosen he will donate his salary to Malone's scholarship fund at Shaw University.

"For me, this nomination is not about title or monetary gain," he said. "It is about offering me to the people of the 14th District so they have representation that can be effective from day one and who can run and win in 2010."