CHARLESTON — In addition to bringing proposed bills to the West Virginia State House or Senate, the Silver Haired Legislators (SHL) adopted 10 resolutions and presented them to a staff member of Gov. Joe Manchin.
The presentation was the final activity for the three-day session for the SHL and took place during a luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion.
The resolutions were approved as written, with no amendments, and were brought to the discussion floor from senior citizens from all over the state that gathered in Charleston for the yearly meeting.
Resolutions may be used to change the state constitution and be placed on the ballot at the next general or special election.
Simple resolutions are read only one time
in either state house, before there is an adoption or rejection of the item.
High on the list for approval was the resolution to encourage the state to establish more technical/vocational schools to train students that may not desire to attend college.
One of the resolutions concerned issuing a restricted/conditional vehicle operators permit for those over the age of 55 that do not qualify for a regular license for the purpose of driving only during daylight hours for doctor’s appointments and local errands.
Also, as part of highway safety, a resolution was approved to make it unlawful to use a cell phone while driving a vehicle.
Homestead Property Tax Exemptions was the subject of a resolution in which the homeowner would not lose the exemption for a year because they have moved to another residence.
The annuities of retired public employees being exempted at an equal rate that could possibly prompt former residents in returning to live in the state was also an approved resolution.
Although a proposal dealing with the qualifications of magistrates failed to be approved, a resolution seeking to have the local magistrates elected for a four-year term on a staggered basis was passed.
A resolution asking the West Virginia Legislature to fund the expansion and upgrade the handicapped accessibility to public stream areas was adopted.
In addition, the importance of getting the senior population to visit statewide recreation areas and state parks, a resolution was penned to allow for free entrance to any of these places.
The SHL was the subject of several resolutions, including a flat reimbursement of $25 to each SHL that attends statewide meetings and encouragement for the West Virginia Legislature to add the sum of $50,000 to the budget so the SHL can achieve high national status.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. —
