Speaker of Missouri House of Representatives Rod Jetton explains reasons he sponsors and supports legislation on behalf of seniors in interview on TSN Radio

St. Louis, MO—Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives Rod Jetton says he is hopeful of passage of two key pieces of legislation that will benefit Missouri seniors in an interview on TSN Radio on the Web, a feature of www.TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com , a leading informational web site for America’s Seniors.

TSN Radio on the Web and publisher of www.TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com Daniel Hines says that the interest in talking with Speaker Jetton was based upon the Speaker’s long-standing interest in the well-being of seniors. The interview may be heard by going to http://www.TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com/tsn_radio_features.htm and clicking on the picture of the Speaker, or by going to http://www.TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com/Missouri_Speaker_Jetton_supports_Seniors.htm and clicking on the Speaker’s picture or the text link to the interview.
“This interview is the latest example of the expanded communication effort made possible by the continued support of such sponsors of our site as www.SafeSourceRx.com, which provides access to safe, affordable prescriptions for all U.S. citizens at tremendous savings.

“And, just as we carefully gauge our supporters, we also seek to make seniors aware of actions taken by their elected officials that, if the elderly and their families and caregivers offer the needed support, can prove to be beneficial to them and their well-being.
“Speaker Jetton first came to our attention when his staff contacted our offices sometime ago—before the implementation of Part D— about prescriptions and explained the Speaker’s interest in some sort of action to assist seniors,” Hines explains.

“As evidence that it wasn’t a one-time thing, the Speaker now is involved in a number of actions that could prove beneficial the state’s seniors” Hines continues.

The specific measures involve a proposal to eliminate state taxes on Social Security benefits for Missouri’s elderly recipients, and two anti-hunger bills he has pushed for the past two years.
The anti-hunger proposals won first-round approval recently in the Missouri House. The elimination of the tax on Social Security benefits is less certain as hearings have been conducted.
Jetton, R-Marble Hill, is proposing a tax credit of up to $2,500 for donations to food pantries that serve the poor. In addition, he is seeking to increase the minimum monthly food stamp allotment for eligible senior citizens from $10 to $30 for single people and $60 for elderly couples. "We almost got it to $40 and $80, but we couldn't quite do it," Jetton said after floor debate on the measures.

The food pantry bill, Jetton said when he announced his proposals last year, was sparked by the large crowds at the distribution center in his hometown of Marble Hill. The number of people seeking the food convinced him that the pantries needed extra help, he said.
The bills require a final House vote to set the stage for Senate action. Both bills cleared the House last year, but died in the Senate. "We didn't quite get them over there early enough," Jetton said. "I am hopeful that will change this year, since next week we can get them out of here."

The tax credits for food pantries are capped at $2 million a year. During debate, House members voted down a proposed amendment that would have required the state to award half of the credits to rural areas.

The food stamp bill will cost the state $3 million annually, money Jetton said will come from the state's general revenue fund.

On the floor, Jetton told his colleagues he had been enrolled in the food stamp program 20 years ago, and it helped his young family eat well. The program for seniors, he said, isn't providing enough.

During the interview, Speaker Jetton also discusses how to make Missouri communities more 'senior-friendly' and how he views the potential contribution of Missouri's elderly to community life.
“The Speaker’s positions on these issues illustrates the high degree of empathy he has for problems of Missouri’s elderly,” Hines concluded. “With our interview on TSN Radio on the Web, Missouri seniors and others will be able to hear first-hand the reasons for his interest in promoting these proposals.”