The Fall, semiannual meeting of the Senior Citizens Executive Committee of the Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens was held on Monday, October 2, 2006, at 1:00 PM, in Room 327 of the Capitol. Laurel True, Chair, called the meeting to order.
Present were:
Members: Laurel True, Chair; Bertha Daniels, Ed Flanagan, Jane Fugate, Bill Harned, Kenneth Overhults, Norman Pallarito, Lillian Rice, Jeane Robertson, Berton Sisk, Fred Smith, and Ernest Taylor.
Guests: Mrs. Patty Jo Overhults
LRC Staff: Katie Carney, Gerard Donovan, Gilmore Dutton, Miriam Fordham, Rhonda Franklin, Adanna Hydes, Jim Roberts, and Ashli Schmidt.
Chairman True welcomed the members and staff to the Commission’s Executive Committee Meeting. Chairman True informed the members that Dr. Phil Hulsman and Ms. Irene Vertrees passed away earlier this summer and asked members to participate in a moment of silence to remember the them. Chairman True 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 2-3, 2006.
Bill Harned moved to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2006, Executive Committee meeting, seconded by Lillian Rice. The motion was adopted.
Chairman True called the members’ attention to the various membership lists in their folders. Chairman True stated that no new members have been appointed to the Commission since the May meeting. Chairman True also announced that Mr. Jack Eversole has resigned, and a letter has been sent to the appointing authority to request a replacement.
Chairman True reviewed the agenda for the Commission’s meeting on November 2-3, 2006. He stated that Mr. Bill Cooper, Director, Division of Aging Services, Cabinet for Health and Family Services, has been invited to the opening general session to give an update on funding for Area Agencies on Aging. Chairman True announced that Governor Ernie Fletcher has been invited to speak at the Commission’s dinner session. Chairman True commented that if Governor Fletcher is unable to attend, he intends to invite Malcolm Wall, Executive Director, KET. Chairman True informed members that the speaker for the closing general session is, at the moment, a surprise. Chairman True added that he is delaying inviting the intended speaker until an anticipated announcement is made from the Executive Branch.
Chairman True recognized Mr. Gilmore Dutton for additional comments regarding the Commission’s November agenda. Mr. Dutton said that two memorial resolutions will be presented to the membership for adoption, one for Dr. Phil Hulsman and another for Ms. Irene Vertrees. Mr. Dutton also said that the usual recognition of new members will not take place, since there have been no new members appointed since the May meeting.
Chairman True recognized Mr. Harned for a report on the Consumer Affairs Subcommittee’s agenda for the November meeting.
Mr. Harned reported that the subcommittee’s November agenda will include the following:
1. A discussion with Don May, Program Manager, Kentucky Office of Insurance, on marketing of annuities that often do not meet the needs of seniors;
2. A discussion with Don Shields, Health Policy Specialist, Kentucky Office of Insurance, on long-term care insurance and premium increases;
3. An update from Kevin Winstead, Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, on the identity theft legislation that passed in the 2006 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly, and remaining issues that need to be addressed; and
4. Finalizing Subcommittee recommendations for the 2007 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Chairman True asked if an update would be presented on House Bill 298 that passed during the 2005 Regular Session. Mr. Harned responded that elder abuse is currently in the subcommittee’s recommendations and that the subcommittee plans to keep it as a final recommendation. Chairman True asked if the subcommittee would please give a report on the legislation.
Chairman True recognized Ms. Robertson for a report on the Health and Human Services Subcommittee’s agenda for the November meeting.
Ms. Robertson reported that the subcommittee’s November agenda will include the following:
1. A briefing from Senator Dick Roeding and Representative Kathy Stein on the activities of the Aging, Disabilities, Independent Living, and Long-Term Care Subcommittee;
2. A discussion with Representative Carolyn Belcher on House Bill 146 which would have provided a tax deduction for elder caregivers;
3. A discussion with Ms. Robertson on the current recommendation for a senior citizen alert;
4. A discussion with Representative Tom Burch on House Bill 9 which would have prohibited the use of cell phones while driving;
5. A discussion with Bill Cooper, Director, Division of Aging Services, Cabinet for Health and Family Services on the family caregiver program, grandparent assistance program, and services for aging baby boomers; and
6. Finalizing Subcommittee recommendations for the 2007 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Ms. Robertson informed the Executive Committee that she is also interested in finding out the number of people on waiting lists for the meals on wheels program.
Chairman True asked if the Subcommittee could discuss House Bill 483 that was introduced during the 2006 Regular Session, relating to dementia. Chairman True also asked if the Subcommittee would be discussing drug importation legislation.
Ms. Daniels informed the Executive Committee that the Elder Maltreatment Center in the Big Sandy region is very intrigued about the Golden Alert recommendation the Subcommittee is proposing.
Chairman True recognized Mr. Flanagan for a report on the Insurance Subcommittee’s agenda for the November meeting.
Mr. Flanagan reported that the subcommittee’s November agenda will include the following:
1. A discussion with William Hanes, Executive Director, Kentucky Retirement Systems, and Mr. Gary Harbin, Executive Secretary, Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System, on the potential impact of rising health insurance premiums on retirement benefits; and
2. Finalizing Subcommittee recommendations for the 2007 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Chairman True asked that the recommendation regarding long-term care premium increases be transferred to the Consumer Affairs Subcommittee for discussion with their speaker, Mr. Don Shields. Chairman True also asked if the Subcommittee would address automobile no fault insurance adjustments that are similar to worker’s compensation.
Chairman True recognized Ms. Daniels for a report on the Taxation Subcommittee’s agenda for the November meeting.
Ms. Daniels reported that the subcommittee’s November agenda will include the following:
1. A discussion of Ohio local property tax levies earmarked for senior services; and
2. Finalizing Subcommittee recommendations for the 2007 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Ms. Daniels mentioned that the Subcommittee might ask Representative Carolyn Belcher to speak about tax credits for people who care for the elderly. Ms. Daniels added that the Subcommittee might also speak with the Department of Revenue regarding a property tax amnesty program.
Chairman True asked about the possibility of proposing a semi annual payment of property taxes. Ms. Daniels replied that they could also discuss that topic with the Department of Revenue, but she believed that collection of property taxes and the frequency of payments is determined on a local level.
Ms. Robertson reminded the Executive Committee that Representative Belcher is scheduled to speak to the Health and Human Services Subcommittee on tax credits for elderly caregivers. Mr. Dutton suggested a study to determine the savings to the state as a result of a possible tax credit for people who care for the elderly. Ms. Robertson suggested presenting the legislation as a way to help middle class citizens.
Chairman True recognized Mr. Pallarito for a report on the Transportation Subcommittee’s agenda for the November meeting.
Mr. Pallarito reported that the subcommittee’s November agenda will include the following:
1. A discussion with Mr. Barry Barker, Executive Director, Transit Authority of River City, on a training seminar in use of public transportation;
2. A discussion with Tim Hazlette, Commissioner, Department of Transportation Safety, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and Eric Walker, Captain, Governor’s Highway Safety Program, on current Kentucky law pertaining to all-terrain vehicles; and
3. Finalizing Subcommittee recommendations for the 2007 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Chairman True asked where the Subcommittee was with the recommendation regarding hand held devices. Mr. Pallarito replied that a ban on handheld devices while operating a vehicle would still be one of the Subcommittee’s recommendations. Mr. Dutton suggested amending the recommendation to increase the penalty to a felony for the second or third offense.
Ms. Robertson asked the Executive Committee if the Commission would return to addressing one or two major issues throughout the meeting, and ask the Subcommittees to discuss the issues as they pertain to their subcommittee area.
Ms. Fugate suggested the topics regarding all-terrain vehicles and hand held devices could become an insurance issue. Ms. Robertson added that Health and Human Services would also be glad to take up the topics.
Mr. Pallarito informed the Executive Committee that the Subcommittee should have statistics regarding the effect of all-terrain vehicles after the November meeting.
Mr. Roberts, staff, informed the Executive Committee that Representative Tom Burch has sponsored legislation relating to hand held devices while operating a motor vehicle.
Mr. Sisk gave an update on the accomplishments over the past two years relating to funding for Area Agencies on Aging. Ms. Robertson asked where people can receive a report regarding finances for Area Agencies on Aging. Chairman True responded that the information can be received from the Area Development Districts. Ms. Rice gave a report on the Buffalo Trace Area Agency on Aging. Chairman True informed members that the Commission might also be able to receive a statewide report from Mr. Bill Cooper. Ms. Robertson asked if the Commission would ask Mr. Cooper to provide financial statements from the Area Agencies on Aging showing the allocation of the additional funding received. Chairman True stated that he would speak with Mr. Cooper to try and get a copy of the data.
Chairman True informed members and staff that the Executive Committee will be asking staff to mail a copy of the Subcommittees’ agendas and issue briefs to the full membership.
Ms. Robertson asked if the Executive Committee had heard of any Medicaid patients having trouble getting appointments with new doctors.
Chairman True informed members that there was a high absentee rate at the May meeting and requested the Executive Committee’s help in contacting the members that missed the meeting, and request that they come to the November meeting. Mr. Sisk asked if absenteeism was addressed in the Commission’s bylaws.
Ms. Daniels commented on how hard it will be to replace Ms. Vertrees and Dr. Hulsman on the Commission.
Ms. Daniels motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Pallarito. The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.