The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature held its annual statewide member meeting on Oct. 3-5 in Topeka. During the 2023 meeting, SHL members discussed, debated and voted upon issues that were presented to the entire membership. The SHL encompasses Kansas seniors 60 and above.

KS SHL advocates for seniors and gives a voice to matters affecting seniors while recognizing those matters will be important for all in the near future. Those issues approved and passed by KS SHL will be presented to the Kansas Legislature. The issues to be presented to the Kansas Legislature are:

• Support Medicaid expansion.
• Expand the Grandparents as Caregivers Act.
• Establish a medical cannabis advisory board to explore and make recommendations regarding the expanded medical use of cannabis.
• Support the elimination of the tax cliff and increase the income thresholds to qualify for an exemption of Social Security benefits from state income tax.
• Fair voting rights for all.

Other important issues for seniors were also discussed, such as property tax reduction for seniors, public transportation, broadband expansion and funding for the operation of KS SHL, which has received no legislative funds for more than four decades. These items will be included on a “watch list” and may be prioritized later.

Kansas SHL, formed in 1982, was created by an act of Congress in 1969. The SHL is composed of one peer-elected delegate from each of Kansas’ 105 counties, with the number in larger counties, including Johnson County, increasing to six. KS SHL is a volunteer organization and associated with the 11 Area Agencies on Aging to give a voice to approximately 600,000 senior residents in Kansas.

For more information on the SHL, go to kansas-shl.org.