The Area Agency on Aging is pleased to announce the results of the California Senior Legislature (CSL) election held in May.

The race for Senior Senator was uncontested. Eureka resident Mary Dennison was re-elected Senior Senator to represent Humboldt and Del Norte older adults. Arcata resident Thea Gast was elected Senior Assembly Member.

Gast attended a new member orientation May 18 in Sacramento.

Dennison has authored previous legislation related to increase funding for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and legislation that focuses on preventing illness. "I will apply my experiences as a health professional and as a political activist in the CSL," Dennison said in her candidate statement.

Gast, who served eight years on the Arcata City Council, is interested in affordable housing, long-term care and nursing home reform. "After careful consideration, I've decided that the Senior Legislature is where I would like to put my efforts to make a difference," said Gast.

Eureka resident Howard Rien retired after four years of CSL service. Rien championed health care legislation that benefits military veterans and their spouses and is now being considered in Congress.

The California Senior Legislature is a method of grass roots advocacy on behalf of older Californians funded by the Older Californians Act. Through the years since its inception, the CSL has had a 70 percent success rate-70 percent of the bills CSL members initiated were subsequently brought into law at the state or federal levels.

Budget action taken

by Sandi Fitzpatrick

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 took action on the California Department of Aging's budget request as well as on the budget augmentation request proposed by the Coalition for Coordinated Advocacy.

The subcommittee approved the Governor's $20 million request for his "Aging with Dignity Proposal" and approved nearly $23 million for the expansion of home and community-based services. It is hoped that the Senate Budget Subcommittee will adopt a similar proposal, avoiding the need for a Budget Conference Committee.

The augmented funds would benefit the following programs:

* MSSP-$6 million (increases client costs & per client cost)

* Linkages-$5 million (funding increase & new sites)

* ADHC-$2.1 million (start up grants & planning development grants)

* Ombudsman-$3.2 million (bed ratio of 1:2000 & funding base)

* Foster Grandparent-$1 million

* Senior Companion-$1 million

* Home Delivered Meals-$672 thousand

* Information & Assistance-$1 million

* Alzheimer's Education-$1 million

* California Commission on Aging-$300,000

Sandi Fitzpatrick is executive director of the Area Agency on Aging.