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NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature

The Senior Tar Heel Legislature was created to:

  • Provide information to senior citizens on the legislative process and matters being considered by the North Carolina General Assembly.
  • Promote citizen involvement and advocacy concerning aging issues before the North Carolina General Assembly.
  • Assess the legislative needs of older citizens by convening a forum modeled after the North Carolina General Assembly.

There is one delegate to the Senior Tar Heel Legislature from each of the 100 counties in the state. Most counties also have an alternate delegate. Delegates and alternates must be age 60 or older. The North Carolina Division of Aging provides staff support for the Senior Legislature in cooperation with the 17 Area Agencies on Aging who are responsible for conducting the selection of delegates and alternates. Current officers of the Senior Tar Heel Legislature are Charles Dickens, Speaker (Buncombe); Edwin Deaver, Speaker Pro Tempore (Cumberland); Betty Hunt, Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore (Randolph ); and Clara Fountain, Secretary (Surry).

PTCOG Regional Delegation

  • Alamance County:
    Willie Mae Currin - Delegate; George R. Adams - Alternate
  • Caswell County:
    Don Bush - Delegate; Jean Vernon - Alternate
  • Davidson County:
    Lamar Moore - Delegate; Fred McClure - Alternate
  • Guilford County:
    Emma Ray - Delegate; Mary Lou Andrews Blakeney - Alternate
  • Montgomery County:
  • Linda Blake - Delegate; Betsy Greene - Alternate
  • Randolph County:
    Betty Hunt - Delegate; Linda Briles Williford - Alternate
  • Rockingham County:
    John TerLinden - Delegate; Ruth Mitchell - Alternate

Legislative Priorities for 2009

Provide funding to sustain Project C.A.R.E. (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty). Project C.A.R.E. provides information, referral, consultation and linkage to caregivers of persons afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.

Increase funding for home and community based services for older adults by increasing the Home and Community Care Block Grant by $5 million. Home and community-based services include home-delivered meals, adult day care, health care, in-home aid and other services that help impaired older adults stay in their homes. These services are less costly than institutional care.

Increase funding for senior centers by an additional $2,000,000 in recurring funds for a total of $3,265,316 a year.

Implement practical and cost-effective steps to address concerns related to the mixing of populations, including younger adults with mental illness and frail older persons residing in long term care facilities.

Establish a cap on the increase in the assessed value of property determined during revaluations for persons over the age of 65, eligible for the Homestead Exemption.