Representatives from McDonald County attended the 44th Annual Conference of the Silver Haired Legislature last month in Jefferson City.

One hundred fourteen delegates attended to identify the top five issues currently affecting seniors and formulated plans to advocate for these priorities during the coming legislative season.

Priorities were identified as follows:

• Senior services growth and development services;

• Revision of MoRx;

• Increase funding for home-delivered meals provided by Area Agencies on Aging;

• Maintain property tax credit known as the Circuit Breaker for Renters and Homeowners at the 2016 level; and

• Approval of medical marijuana use in Missouri.

Missouri's Silver Haired Legislature was founded in 1973. It was the first in the nation after the Older Americans Act was amended to include advocacy groups.

The SHL is composed of 15 volunteers from each of the 10 statewide Area Agencies on Aging. These 150 senior advocates are elected by their peers to identify and advocate for issues critical to older Missourians.

McDonald County SHL members are Dot Harner and Barb Ittner of Noel, Peggy Johnston of Jane, and Barbara Simpson of Pineville.

Anyone interested in learning further details about the priorities of the Silver Haired Legislature is encouraged to call or email Charlotte Foust, Region X, at 417-781-7562, [email protected], or SHL delegate chairwoman Norma Scott at 417-438-5932 or [email protected].