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Show Seniors visit legislature By CINDY LLOYD . A group of senior citizens from Pleasant Grove gathered at the state capitol in Salt Lake City Jan. 29 to discuss various appropriations and legislative issues along with seniors from all over the slate. Included in the group from Pleasant Grove were Emma Baxter, Theone and Ivan Blaine, Elma Burgener, Lottie Carlson, Evelyn Fox, Thelma Huffman, Camilla Lyburger, Myrtle Lester, Alia Nelson and Dez Wadley. At the state capitol the seniors were addressed by Governor Norman Nor-man Bangerter; Sen. Karl G. Swan; Rep. Samuel S. Taylor; Lloyd H. .Nelson, Utah Division of Aging; and Justin C. Stewart, president of the Seniors Political Action Committee a non-partisan organization. Among the appropriations discussed were the Alternatives program, which has asked for $125,000 more this year so it can serve about 116 more people. Alternatives keeps people in their home who would be in a Nursing Home without services. Alternatives helps people stay home by providing for visiting nurses, someone to clean the home, someone to watch the sick person to give the family a chance to rest, and other needed services. The Alternatives Program saves the state money because it is cheaper to have a sick person at home and allows people to slay home rather than go to a Nursing Home. Also discussed for appropriations was the' Department of Social Services which needs more money for the Adult Protective Services Program. This program provides assistance to adults, primarily to the frail, elderly and handicapped, who are being abused, neglected or exploited. They have requested 15 new workers, about half for child abuse. Only the state government has the legal authority to act, and when they don't provide the money, no one else can help. Included in the Legislative issues was SB103 which has been introduced in-troduced that would make a 'Living Will' legally binding on doctors and hospitals in Utah. A 'Living Will' is a document, signed by you requesting that life support systems not be used on you if you have a terminal illness. Many people have signed a 'Living Will.' Currently, your doctor or family do not have to honor your wishes. SB103 will make a 'Living Will' legally binding in Utah. Another issue discussed for those seniors who have more than $25,000 in income, or for couples having more than $32,000 in income, one half of their Social Security income can be taxed this year. This affects only about 10 of seniors but the precedent has been set to tax Social Security. Utah will consider a bill, SB110 to exempt any Social Security income from taxation in Utah. Federal tax will still be paid. Also currently the Public Service Commission grants a rate increase to gas, electric and telephone companies while they study the reasons the companies give for the request. If the Commission later denies the request, the utility companies refund the interim rate increase. HB11 would end the interim rate increase and make the utility companies justify any rate increase before it is granted. See Seniors Page 3 Seniors visit legislature Continued from front page Also discussed was House Bill 97 which requires that owners and renters maintain premises in a fit condition. It states the responsibilities respon-sibilities of the owner and renters and protects both of them. Utah is one of the few states that does not have such a law. The senior citizens from Pleasant Grove really enjoy participating in legislative procedures and welcome the chance to become politically aware and active. The meeting afforded them the opportunity to let their feelings known to our senators and representatives in this state. Currently the seniors are petitioning for House Bill 11 on the Utility Co. justification of rale increases in-creases and plan on attending many more meetings this coming year. |