Guest Column: Addressing the Challenges and Needs of West Virginians 50-Plus

As we have in past legislative sessions, AARP West Virginia is providing an opportunity for our state elected officials and legislative leaders to submit op-ed guest columns on issues pending before the West Virginia Legislature. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author's own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of AARP.


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Guest Column by Senate President Randy E. Smith

West Virginia State Senate

March 7, 2025


As our West Virginia State Senate President – and a senior citizen myself – I’m aware of the concerns that face our residents as they get older. I am deeply committed to ensuring that West Virginia remains a place where our senior citizens can thrive. Our generation has spent our lives working hard, raising families, building our communities, and strengthening the backbone of our state.

Will Price/WV Legislature

That’s why it’s important to continue to promote good, commonsense legislation that helps meet the needs of our seniors. I’ve heard from hundreds of you — at town halls, at the grocery store, or even through messages on Facebook — about the challenges you face: rising health care costs, inflation costing you more at the grocery store, and the need for better, more reliable high-speed internet to keep you connected.

These problems deserve real solutions, and that’s what we’re trying to deliver this session in Charleston. In addition to the work that our Finance Committees are doing on this year’s Budget Bill, there are many other pieces of legislation moving through the system with seniors in mind.

As a member who represents one of the most rural districts in the state, one of my top priorities is protecting and expanding access to quality health care. It’s critical to keep our ADW Waiver in our budget funded so that our residents can get care at home, where they are happiest. Not only is it the best option for families, it’s in most cases a more cost-effective option.

To go along with that, we’re also exploring ways to bolster caregiving support through a tax credit specifically designed for family caregivers. Although our state is facing a potentially difficult budget year, we recognize the dedication and hard work that family caregivers provide, and we want to support those efforts.

Keeping our seniors safe at home is critical, which is why the Legislature is looking at a number of bills that target scammers who look to exploit our seniors. We want to make sure there are guardrails in place to help prevent a scammer from being able to take a person’s life savings with a robocall. Scammers are getting smarter, and artificial intelligence is helping them. We need to stay a step ahead.

Finally, we’re working on issues that hurt those on a fixed income the hardest – especially rising utility bills and food costs. We realize that now more than ever, many grandparents are stepping into the role of raising their grandchildren and need a little help with the grocery bills, and we want to help as best we can.

I know we’ve got a long road ahead, but I will keep listening and fighting for all of us. Together, we can work to build a West Virginia that not only keeps your children and grandchildren here, but keeps you healthy and active enough to enjoy those years.

As always, my door is open. If you’ve got ideas, concerns, or just want to let me know what’s on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can call my office at 304-357-7801, or drop by when you’re in the area. The work I do in Charleston is about you, and I’m honored to serve you every day.