Seniors Asked to be Literacy Coaches

Story by Darl DeVault, contributing editor

When 350 seniors gathered on March 30 at the Capitol for their annual advocacy day, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, asked them to serve as literacy coaches in support of his House Bill 4420 (Strong Readers Act). His was the strongest appeal in the House Chamber as they listened to 10 speakers during the hour-and-a-half program. He is the youngest Speaker in Oklahoma’s history, having assumed the role at age 30.

The other speakers outlined specific senior-centric legislation and its status in the legislative process. At the same time, Speaker Hilbert pointed out that seniors have a role to play in their personal lives by reading to children or prompting their children to read to grandchildren.

Every person in the chamber, no matter what agenda brought them to the event, has an interest in the agenda he was explaining. Speaker Hilbert, who leads the lower chamber, expressed dismay at Oklahoma’s 49th in the nation’s education system.

“For too long, we as Oklahomans have accepted failure from our education system and being near the bottom of education rankings, and I just think that’s unacceptable,” he said. “We’ve got to strive for excellence.”

He has centered his educational reform platform on a major overhaul of policies on childhood literacy and classroom environments. His primary focus is the “Mississippi Miracle” model, which aims to lift Oklahoma from the bottom of national education rankings through rigorous literacy standards and early intervention.

Speaking early on, his direct appeal to every senior in the chamber made him the de facto keynote speaker, delivering polished, informative remarks within the same time allotted to the others.

Before and after this formal session in the House Chamber, seniors could learn from 30 informational exhibitor booths in the 2nd-floor rotunda. to discover state and nonprofit resources for Aging in Place, Nutrition Programs, Healthcare Access and Public Transportation, especially for those living in rural areas.

The legislature is considering several important bills for seniors this session. By attending and engaging with legislators in their offices, advocates were empowered to influence the future of policies like tax credits, homestead exemptions, COLA, and pension stability that directly affect their lives.

Senate Bill 1114 can provide an ad valorem tax credit for seniors whose income falls below the median household income, essentially “freezing” their tax liability to the level of the first year they qualified.

Seniors were asked to advocate for Homestead Exemption Increases: Proposals exist to increase the homestead exemption specifically for seniors and those on fixed incomes, helping them remain in their homes.

Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) to keep pace with inflation are in bills like HB 2193, which propose an 8% increase for members of various public retirement systems (including Teachers, Firefighters, and Public Employees) who receive less than $90,000 in gross benefits.

Pension Stability is outlined in SB 10, which specifically targets benefit increases for the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.

After hearing from the speakers on these initiatives, attendees met with their elected representatives to have their voices heard. Volunteers assisted attendees in locating their legislators’ offices. This event offered a meaningful opportunity for Oklahoma senior citizens, caregivers, and interested community members to advocate for policies that improve their quality of life actively.
Southern Oklahoma Development Association Ombudsman Supervisor and Systems Advocate Rebekah Williams emceed the House Chambers proceedings in her duties with the Area Agency on Aging.

Event sponsor, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, is highlighting its “Aging Our Way” plan to address aging-related challenges, as the 65-plus population will outnumber children in the next decade.

Advocates were asked to push for increased state investment to eliminate service gaps, such as in Senior Nutrition Programs, where a primary concern is the growing waitlist for meal deliveries (like Meals on Wheels) and congregate dining services.

The annual event was a chance for Oklahoma’s seniors and their advocates to discuss the needs of the more than 875,877 adults age 60 and older in Oklahoma and approximately 140,000 adults age 80 or older. By 2030, the population of older Oklahomans is projected to increase by 21.3 percent, and, for the first time, as noted earlier, is expected to outnumber children.

The beginning of a legislative session is the best time for seniors to interact with their elected representatives. This is when new laws are being proposed and discussed, and when legislators are more likely to be open to hearing from their constituents.

Organizers said the group of seniors gathered that day was large enough to show legislators the significant number of seniors affected by the lack of services and resources.
“The emphasis on Senior Day is many seniors being present at the Capitol to show Legislators their determination to be heard,” said Rebekah Williams. “We must make sure our voices are heard about treating all Oklahomans well from birth to 60, 80, 90 and beyond.”

Seniors could also provide legislators with specific examples of how the lack of services impacts their community. For example, they could discuss the lack of affordable housing options for seniors, the shortage of home healthcare providers, or limited access to public transportation in rural areas.

Gathering at the Capitol also allowed seniors to network with senior advocacy groups that share their concerns. They could share information and strategies for effectively communicating with legislators and organizing to make their voices heard.”

The Oklahoma Alliance on Aging organized Senior Day in partnership with the Oklahoma Silver Haired Legislature Alumni Association, AARP Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Community Living, Aging and Protective Services Division.

Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (Republican, District 29) is the youngest Speaker in Oklahoma’s history, having assumed the role on January 7, 2025, at age 30.