Seniors To Meet With Governor, Top Republican In Annapolis

By Peter Granitz

Hundreds of seniors will rally in Annapolis this morning, and in a show of how politically important the group is in Maryland, both the governor and the top Republican in the House are slated to address the gathering.

This is the 33rd year the United Seniors of Maryland will rally at the state Capitol. Ted Meyerson, the group's president, says don't expect to find people screaming and waving signs. Instead, he says, this is a chance to tell state political leaders what affects seniors most.

Meyerson says seniors are willing to pay their share to help fix the state's finances. But, he adds, they don't want vital services cut.

"Any further cuts and somebody's really going to get hurt. Meals on Wheels will stop, and people are depending on that for food," says Meyerson. "Senior centers might have to close because of a lack of funding, and there are people who depend on senior centers. There are senior centers that have adult day care - they could be in jeopardy."

Meyerson says in an election year seniors can expect to hear two promises: that there won't be cuts to services, and there also won't be any tax increases to pay for them.