From the News & Observer‘s story today on state lawmakers filing bills for hundreds of millions of dollars in new spending in the midst of a massive fiscal crunch:

Rank-and-file lawmakers who aren’t on the committees that write the budget say the bills are their chance to get a word in.

Sen.
Ed Jones filed 10 bills seeking a total of $17.2 million for expanding
an automotive research center in his district; restoring three historic
buildings; building a public library, a senior center and a Boys and
Girls Club; replacing a high school roof; and upgrading a day care.

The
Halifax County Democrat said he knows chances are slim that budget
writers will adopt any of his proposals, but he wants to make sure he’s
in line just in case some extra money is found. He likened it to buying
a lottery ticket.

“You can’t win if you don’t play,” he said.

Wheeee!