Advocacy
The 51st Annual Conference of the Silver Haired Legislature took place at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City on October 15, 16, and 17. The 75 delegates in attendance chose their Top Five Priorities and formulated plans to advocate for senior issues during the coming legislative session.
After spirited debates in the Legislative chambers, the delegates chose these issues as their Top Five Priorities for the 2025 legislative session. See them listed in their entirety below.
Silver-Haired Legislature 2025: Top Five Legislative Priorities
Improve the Missouri Property Tax Credit aka Circuit Breaker and add Annual Indexing
Increased the Personal Needs Allowance
Increase excise tax on tobacco products to benefit AAA transportation fund
Raise the Aged and Disabled Waiver from 85% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to 133% of the FPL, as it is for MO HealthNet expansion
Increase the Medicaid asset level
The Silver Haired Legislature, or SHL as it is often called, is a formally elected body of citizens 60 years of age and older that promote conscientious legislative advocacy for Missouri’s older adults. All members are volunteers who serve without pay. Elections are held annually during the month of May at local area agencies on aging nutrition or senior centers. Senior citizens elect three senators and twelve representatives from each of the ten area agencies on aging for a total of 30 senators and 120 representatives. Following elections, the legislators meet to elect officers and begin to ascertain the needs of seniors in their districts. Bills and resolutions are then drawn up and prepared for presentation at the statewide conference in the fall.
Missouri’s Silver Haired Legislature was founded in 1973, the first in the nation after the Older Americans Act was amended to include advocacy groups. The SHL is composed of fifteen volunteers from each of the ten statewide Area Agencies on Aging. These 150 senior advocates, elected by their peers, identify and advocate for issues critical to older Missourians.
Anyone interested in learning further details about the priorities of the Silver Haired Legislature is encouraged to call or email Debbie Blessing, SHL Coordinator, at 660-665-4682 or debbie@nemoaaa.com or SHL Delegate, Andy Jackson, at 660-349-0988 or andyjack@marktwain.net.
SHL Events:
Kathy Lacky (pictured left), SHL House of Representatives Member and NEMO AAA Board Member, presenting at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. Andrea “Andy” Jackson (pictured right), SHL Senate Delegate in attendance at the SHL Conference.
Debbie Blessing, Executive Director of Northeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging in attendance at the Missouri State Capitol as a SHL Coordinator.
