The first meeting of the Executive Committee of the Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens was held on Thursday, April 11, 2002, at 1:00 PM, in Room 327 of the Capitol. Abby Marlatt, Chair, called the meeting to order, and the secretary called the roll.
Present were:
Members: Abby Marlatt, Chair; Joe Bishop, Thomas Bullington, Finnell Fields, Winford Holt, Esther Rigby, Jeane Robertson, Mary Robertson, and Robert Veazey.
LRC Staff: Barbara Baker, Emily Bottoms, Katie Carney, Eric Clark, Gerard Donovan, Gilmore Dutton, and John Snyder.
Chairperson Marlatt stated that the purpose of the Executive Committee meeting was to review agendas for the Commission’s general sessions on Thursday and Friday, May 9-10, 2002, and the subcommittee meetings on May 9-10, 2002.
The minutes of the September 24, 2001, Executive Committee meeting were approved as submitted.
Chairperson Marlatt directed the members’ attention to several documents contained in their meeting folders: minutes of the September 24, 2001, Executive Committee meeting; updated membership lists; a listing of newly-appointed members; and candidate profiles for the offices of Chair and Vice Chair.
Chairperson Marlatt recognized Mr. Finnell Fields to read a resolution in memory of Wanda Korte. The Committee adopted the resolution with a copy to be sent to Mr. Randall E. Neikirk.
Mr. Gilmore Dutton, Commission Staff Coordinator, reviewed the agenda for the upcoming meeting of the full Commission scheduled for May 9-10, 2002, at the Holiday Inn Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort. Mr. Dutton announced that the elections for the position of Commission Chair and Vice Chair would be held during the General Session on Thursday, May 9, 2002. The elections for the positions of Subcommittee Chair and Vice Chair will be held in the Subcommittee meetings on Thursday, May 9, 2002. The winners from all elections will be announced at the dinner session on Thursday evening.
Chairperson Marlatt recognized Gilmore Dutton for an update on plans for the Commissions’ 25th anniversary meeting on November 8-9, 2002. Correspondence with Bobby Sherman, suggested that a nice and reasonably-priced event would be a one hour long non-alcoholic reception prior to the dinner meeting. The Commission plan to invite every known living, past and present, member of the Commission, a representative from the four statewide appointing authorities, 15 ADD districts, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and Bill Miller, former staff coordinator. Bill Miller has been asked to introduce guest speaker, Joe Prather (the Senator that made the motion to create the Commission in 1977). Estimated cost for the reception, invitations, and everything else is approximately $6,000. Most of the printing, invitations and menus will be done in house, but there will be a cost for postage. All of the invitees to the reception will also be invited to dinner. The breakdown of the costs for the extra people is the reception at $1700 and the dinner at $2100. The estimated number of invitees is around 120. The Commission hopes to have approval or non-approval of the costs for the anniversary meeting by the May meeting. If approval is received, all appointing authorities will immediately be contacted to obtain names and addresses, and all members of the Commission submit names and information that they may have about all previous members. The ad-hoc committee will meet on Thursday, May 9, 2002 after the subcommittees’ afternoon meetings. Dr. Marlatt suggested sending all former members that will not be able to attend a certificate recognizing them as being former members of the Commission.
Chairperson Marlatt recognized Mr. Finnell Fields, Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, who reported that the Subcommittee’s May agenda would include the following:
(1) A discussion by Representative Greg Stumbo to discuss environmental legislation. If he is unable to attend, then an invitation will be extended to a co-sponsor of HB 174 to speak;
(2) Nursing home care. A suggestion was made to possibly have a joint meeting with the Health and Human Services subcommittee; and
(3) Power of attorney.
An update was given about legislation proposed in the 2002 General Assembly. One of the recommendations from the November meeting to the 2002 General Assembly was Senior Prescription Drug Coverage. SCR 185 passed that deals with prescription drugs relating to senior prescription drug coverage, sources of funding and federal proposals to provide coverage. Nothing was passed regarding power of attorney.
Mr. Joe Bishop, Chairman of the Health and Human Services Subcommittee, reported that the Subcommittee’s May agenda would include the following:
(1) A discussion of legislation passed by the 2002 General Assembly, including any bills relating to senior prescription drug coverage;
(2) Ann Marks, Cabinet for Families and Children, who will discuss long term care with the ombudsman program;
(3) Brenda Ross, a former long term care ombudsman, who will discuss the quality of nursing home care; and
(4) Ed Wilson, Office of the Inspector General.
Mr. Thomas Bullington, Chairman of the Insurance Subcommittee, reported that the Subcommittee’s May agenda would include following:
(1) Federal long term care plan;
(2) Department of Insurance representative to discuss and address specific questions; and
(3) Update on legislation passed during the 2002 General Assembly that relates to the Subcommittee.
Mr. Winford Holt, Chairman of the Taxation Subcommittee, reported that the Subcommittee’s May agenda would include the following:
(1) Brad Thomas, Revenue Cabinet, to discuss internet sales and e-commerce;
(2) Discuss recommending that the Class C inheritance tax be eliminated; and
(3) Discuss recommending a change be made to the General Assembly to give a tax credit to individuals who care for the elderly either in the elders’ home or the caregivers home.
Ms. Esther Rigby, Vice Chairman of the Transportation Subcommittee, reported that the Subcommittee’s May agenda would include the following:
(1) Election of officers;
(2) Summary of legislation that passed the 2002 General Assembly;
(3) Discussion of traffic engineering, highway signage, and improving traffic safety; and
(4) Kentucky’s new digital drivers’ licenses.
Ms. Jeane Robertson made the announcement that she recently attended the National Council on Aging and the American Society on Aging. At the conferences members discussed a new book by Ken Dychwald. He previously wrote Age Wave and speaks often on national issues relating to aging. The new book is called Age Power. A lot of the discussion had to do with issues relating to our aging society and elders bankrupting the U.S. The author also spoke about seniors not using the maximum amount of power that they have.
Ms. Jeane Robertson also announced that the Southeastern Area Agencies on Aging conference would be held in Louisville on October 14-15, 2002. KIPDA is sponsoring the Southeastern 4 A meeting. She also announced that there would not be a Governor’s Conference on Aging this year.
Mr. Fields addressed a concern that seniors need to understand that 7 % of the claims for Medicare and Medicaid is fraud. He recommended that Commission members might want to research and hear testimony on ways that this number can be lowered.
A motion was made that when the Executive Committee adjourns that they do so in memory of Wanda Korte.
In closing, Mr. Dutton announced that plans for the May meeting are in order. He further stated that General Chandler has confirmed to be the guest speaker at the dinner session.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. in memory of Wanda Korte.