Legislators have asked for $88m so far

State legislators have now asked for $87.9 million.

Seven more bills filed since Dome last checked have added another $14 million in spending requests for specific programs, even as the state faces a $2 billion shortfall.

The largest request of the most recent batch is $11.8 million for the N.C. Center for Automotive Research for a driving course and other facilities. That bill also asks for $6.4 million in next year's budget. The smallest request is for $129,000 in upgrades at the Ingram Planetarium.

Other spending bills filed so far this week would replace the roof at Gates County High School, repair the historic Newbold-White House, provide support to people with dementia and their caregivers and expand social work programs at state colleges.

In addition, a bill was filed in the House that is identical to a Senate bill that would provide $44 million in bonuses to teachers that were not given out in 2007.

Those two bills remain the single largest requests for spending so far.

In addition to the spending this year, the special appropriations bills also call for an additional $7.9 million in next year's budget.