Benjamin Niolet, Raleigh News and Observer

Dozens of people from across the state let members of the House hear it Tuesday night at a rare public hearing on the state's budget.

More than 250 people, plus an overflow crowd, came to the three-hour hearing at the N.C. Museum of History downtown. Even more people participated through video conference from 10 community college campuses across the state. Speakers had two minutes to make a pitch as to why their particular program or interest deserves to survive budget cuts. More than 2,000 e-mails were sent to the House.

The state budget shortfall is likely to grow to more than $4 billion, or 20 percent of the current state budget. House Speaker Joe Hackney encouraged comments on contentious issues, such as furloughs for state employees. But he also told audience members that lawmakers can't easily fill such a large deficit.

"We will continue to look for programs that have outlived their usefulness," he said. "Most of our money is spent for good programs that help people and which should continue. We can't stop taking care of our roads or turn loose the people in our prisons or close our schools."

Many speakers were program directors or heads of interest groups. But some shared personal stories of how potential budget cuts could hurt them.

Glen Stephens of Charlotte spoke from Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. He described the ravages his son suffered from Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome, a disorder that has debilitating effects on the brain.

Stephens said he and his wife are barely holding on as they try to care for their son and keep a job. Stephens urged House members to keep benefits and programs for families who have to care for disabled children.

"My son, Gabriel, and the children like him, they don't understand politics, economic downturns or budget deficits," Stephens said.

Beth Palmer of Raleigh urged House members to save early childhood program More at Four from budget cuts. The program helped her twin sons, now 5, overcome a serious speech development problem.

Hackney said the hearing brought home how state spending touches people.

"There's nothing like hearing the personal stories and how the programs we fund affect them," he said.