The fall, semiannual meeting of the Executive Committee of the Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens was held on Monday, September 26, 2005, at 1:00 PM, in Room 327 of the Capitol. Bert Sisk, Chair, called the meeting to order.
Present were:
Members: Bert Sisk, Chair; Laurel True, Vice Chair; Bertha Daniels, Frank Hatfield, Phil Hulsman, Pete McNeill, Norman Pallarito, Jeane Robertson, and Jim Terrell.
Guests:
LRC Staff: Katie Carney, Eric Clark, Gerard Donovan, Gilmore Dutton, Rhonda Franklin, Charlotte Quarles, Jim Roberts, and Cindy Smith.
Chairman Sisk welcomed the members and staff to the Commission's Executive Committee meeting. Chairman Sisk stated that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss agendas for the Commission's general sessions and subcommittee meetings on Thursday and Friday, November 3-4, 2005.
Chairman Sisk called the members' attention to the various membership lists in their folders, including a list of the new members that had been appointed to the Commission since its last meeting in May 2005.
Jim Terrell moved to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2005, Executive Committee meeting, seconded by Frank Hatfield. The motion was adopted.
Chairman Sisk recognized Mr. Dutton for a review of the agenda for the Commission's meeting on November 3-4, 2005. Mr. Dutton stated that the opening general session would include the adoption of a resolution in memory of Frederic Ogden who passed away in July. He added that the program will consist of reports from the Regional Coordinating Committee Coordinators on the results to date, and future plans to contact legislators in regard to increased funding for Area Agencies on Aging and Senior Citizen Center programs.
Mr. Dutton informed members that at the evening's dinner session there will be two legislators addressing "How Senior Citizen Initiatives Will Fare in the 2006 Session of the General Assembly." Mr. Dutton stated that Representative Jody Richards, Speaker of the Kentucky House, has confirmed, and that Senator David Williams, President of the Senate, has been invited. Mr. Dutton added that he has requested that the Chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee attend if Senator Williams is unable to do so.
Mr. Dutton said that on Friday morning the Nominating Committee will meet to finalize its recommendations for the positions of Commission Chair and Vice Chair for the 2006-2008 term. Mr. Dutton added that the closing general session will include a presentation by Ms. Shannon Turner, Commissioner for Medicaid Services at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. He added that Commissioner Turner will address "Proposals for Medicaid Reform in the 2006 Session of the General Assembly." Mr. Dutton stated that after Commissioner Turner's presentation the Nominating Committee will give its recommendations for candidates for Commission Chair and Vice Chair. He stated that the closing general session would conclude with the adoption of subcommittee reports.
Chairman Sisk recognized Mr. Laurel True, and thanked Mr. True for his assistance over the last few months. Mr. True informed members that he recently had a meeting with James Holsinger, Secretary, Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Mr. True stated that Secretary Holsinger was very positive and had committed to Mr. True that the Cabinet would include the Commission's primary recommendation in the Cabinet's proposed budget. Mr. True reminded members that the primary recommendation is for the General Assembly to increase state funding for Area Agencies on Aging to support Senior Programs by at least twenty percent for each year of the 2006-08 biennium, and, by joint resolution, endorse as a goal an equal or greater increase for each year of the 2008-10 biennium. Mr. True stated that he had met with Representative Jody Richards, Speaker of the House, that morning, and that Speaker Richards had committed to support the Commission's request. Mr. True added that a meeting had been arranged with the Governor, but due to scheduling conflicts the meeting was cancelled. It will be rescheduled. Mr. True also added that a meeting has been scheduled to discuss the Commission's recommendation with Senate leadership.
Chairman Sisk thanked Mr. True for his report and hard work in arranging the meetings to promote the Commission's primary recommendation.
Chairman Sisk recognized Mr. Frank Hatfield for a report on the Consumer Affairs Subcommittee's agenda for the November meeting.
Mr. Hatfield stated that the Subcommittee will conduct a panel discussion on identity theft. The panel will consist of Representative Stan Lee and Todd Leatherman, Director, Consumer Protection Division, Office of the Attorney General. Mr. Hatfield added that a copy of two bills relating to identity theft that will be introduced in the 2006 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly had been mailed to the Subcommittee members.
Chairman Sisk recognized Dr. Phil Hulsman for a report on the Health and Human Services Subcommittee's agenda for the November meeting.
Dr. Hulsman informed members that Representative Jimmie Lee will present members with an update on health issues that will be facing the 2006 Kentucky General Assembly. Dr. Hulsman stated that the Subcommittee will receive testimony on, and discuss Kentucky's preparedness for caring for the long-term care community in the event of a natural disaster. Dr. Hulsman added that he will provide an update on Medicare Part D.
Chairman Sisk recognized Mr. Jim Terrell for a report on the Insurance Subcommittee's agenda for the November meeting.
Mr. Terrell stated that the Subcommittee hear testimony from Mr. Ray Perry, Interim Director, and Ms. Sharron Burton, Market Conduct Specialist, with the Division of Consumer Protection and Education in the Office of Insurance. They will explain the role and duties of the Consumer Protection and Education Division and how the Division can aid senior citizens with respect to insurance questions and complaints.
Ms. Jeane Robertson stated that her car insurance premium rates increased after her husband died. Ms. Rhonda Franklin, Subcommittee Staff, commented that she would be glad to ask the Insurance Subcommittee speakers for an explanation, but that insurance companies generally have valid reasons for their rates. Ms. Robertson suggested that at a certain age people should start taking tests to see if they should still be qualified to have a driver's license.
Chairman Sisk recognized Mr. Norman Pallarito for a report on the Transportation Subcommittee's agenda for the November meeting.
Mr. Pallarito stated that the subcommittee will hear testimony from a panel of Senior Citizen Centers' directors on transportation issues relating to the delivery of services at Senior Citizen Centers. He added that on Friday the Subcommittee will hear testimony relating to the human service transportation delivery program. Mr. Pallarito commented that this testimony may also include the impact of gas prices on the program.
Chairman Sisk commented that because of higher gas prices the Senior Citizen Centers might have to start cutting back on home care programs. He stated that legislators need to be shown the need for more funding.
Ms. Jeane Robertson commented that some senior centers have contracted with local health departments to perform the centers' home health care programs.
Mr. Pallarito informed members that rising fuel costs would be a hot topic for the next few years. He added that he has received feedback from volunteers at senior centers that gas prices are too high for them to continue volunteering to deliver meals.
Ms. Robertson stated that commitments need to be made to feed citizens over the weekends and holidays. She added that there is also a strong church involvement to help deliver meals.
Chairman Sisk recognized Ms. Bertha Daniels for a report on the Taxation Subcommittee's agenda for the November meeting.
Ms. Daniels stated that she has requested a meeting with Representative Carolyn Belcher to discuss her tax modernization bill. Ms. Daniels added that Representative Belcher will be asked to speak on Thursday afternoon regarding income tax credits for persons who care for the elderly in the home.
Mr. True asked Mr. Dutton about charitable organization solicitations of senior citizens. Mr. Dutton responded that charitable organizations are exempt from the no-call lists. Ms. Charlotte Quarles, Subcommittee staff, commented that the Office of the Attorney General has a list of non-profit organizations that are allowed to solicit donations. Mr. True asked if a copy of the list could be made available to the Consumer Affairs Subcommittee. Ms. Daniels asked if the list could be made available to all members of the Commission.
Mr. Hatfield asked if a fact sheet that includes the Commission's recommendations could be sent to members after the November meeting. Mr. Dutton stated that a similar communication, in the form of a press release, was mailed after the May meeting to the full membership, and similar mailings will be continued after future meetings of the Commission.
Mr. True asked if an invitation could be sent to the Commission's nominating organizations for the November meeting. Mr. Dutton responded that the heads of all nominating authorities and Area Development District Aging Coordinators receive a meeting notice prior to each meeting.
Mr. True asked if issue papers from each subcommittee would be mailed again prior to the November meeting. Mr. Dutton informed him that they would be mailed to the full membership.
Ms. Robertson asked if a brochure could be prepared showing the amount of money received by Area Agencies on Aging and Senior Citizen Centers, and the programs on which the money had been expended. Mr. True responded that such a brochure had been prepared and mailed out to the Area Development Districts.
Chairman Sisk thanked the Subcommittee chairs for their reports. He then announced that the next meeting will be on November 3-4, and the following meeting will be May 11-12, 2006.
Chairman Sisk recognized Mr. Dutton. Mr. Dutton showed members a City of Frankfort Visitors' Guide and a welcome card. He informed members that the welcome card offers a discount at some local stores, and both the guide and card will be provided to all members.
Mr. Dutton informed the group that Chairman Sisk has been chair of the Franklin County Senior Citizen Center Board for many years. He added that the Franklin County Center has been named the best senior center in Kentucky for many years. Chairman Sisk stated that the Franklin County Center only does as well as it does because of its wonderful board and Executive Director.
Chairman Sisk adjourned the meeting at 2:15 p.m.