NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature

North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature

The North Carolina General Assembly with the passage of Senate Bill 479 created the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature in July of 1993.

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).

Regional Delegation

Alamance County Willie Mae Currin - Delegate  George R. Adams Alternate

Caswell County Jean Vernon - Delegate [open] 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 Vacant – Delegate  – Alternate

2008 Legislative Priorities

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 help impaired older adults stay in their homes. Key services include home-delivered meals, adult day care/day health care, in-home aide, and respite care for family caregivers.

Increase funding for senior centers by $634,684 for a total of $2 million per year. There are 163 senior centers in North Carolina currently operational or under development in 97 counties in the state. These centers provide a variety of programs and services to enhance the health and wellness of older adults and to support their efforts to remain independent in their communities.

Appropriate an additional $15,000 in Recurring Funds for the operation of the Senior Tar Heel Legislature. The Senior Tar Heel Legislature currently receives $3,000 per year to cover the expenses of the Senior Tar Heel Legislature. However, the costs of the meeting space, breaks, mailings, and a meal are approximately $6,000 per meeting or $18,000 per year.

Provide Dental Care for Older Adults with Special Needs and in Rural Areas. The Senior Tar Heel Legislature recommends that $1.35 million be allocated to the Office of Rural Health and Community Care to recruit dentists for underserved areas in North Carolina including dentists that would focus on providing care in long-term care facilities.

Provide funding to sustain Project C.A.R.E. (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty). The Senior Tar Heel Legislature recommends that $500,000 in recurring funds be appropriated from the General Fund to the Division of Aging and Adult Services to sustain Project C.A.R.E., which currently serves 14 counties, and to expand it into other counties.

 

 

Updated 02/19/08