Yesterday’s conversation with Sharon Fredriksson, one of the newest members of the Texas Silver‑Haired Legislature (TSHL), offered a powerful look at how a single resolution could reshape the future of senior centers across Texas. With calm determination and a deep sense of responsibility, Sharon laid out a problem that has quietly burdened hundreds of senior centers for years: electric bills so high they force directors to choose between keeping the lights on and feeding older Texans.
Sharon explained that for many 501(c)(3) senior centers, delivery charges and taxes make up nearly two‑thirds of their monthly electric costs. These aren’t optional fees — they’re baked into the billing structure, leaving centers with no choice but to absorb them. And when budgets are tight, every dollar diverted to utilities is a dollar taken away from meals, transportation, social programs, and essential services that older adults rely on.
Her proposed solution is straightforward but transformative: Create a separate billing category for eligible senior centers, eliminating unnecessary charges and demand‑reset fees that punish organizations operating on shoestring budgets. Sharon’s early calculations show that this change could save senior centers across Texas approximately $1.5 million — money that translates directly into care. In fact, she noted that those savings equal more than 300,000 meals for roughly 200 senior centers statewide.
But Sharon’s mission doesn’t stop at identifying the problem. She outlined a clear plan for action as the TSHL prepares for the upcoming 90th Legislative Session. She and fellow TSHL legislators will meet with state representatives and senators, deliver copies of their legislative report to every member of the Legislature and the Governor, and spend three days in Austin this October advocating for the resolution face‑to‑face.
To strengthen her case, Sharon emphasized the importance of data. She encouraged senior center directors, volunteers, and supporters to contact their representatives and senators, share their experiences, and help build the evidence needed to push this resolution forward. “We need to show the real impact,” she said — not in abstract numbers, but in stories of seniors who lose meals, programs, or safe spaces because of rising utility costs.
As a new member of the TSHL, Sharon also reflected on what brought her into public service. She spoke about listening to the stories of struggling individuals, seeing firsthand how aging Texans navigate daily challenges, and recognizing that advocacy begins with paying attention. Her passion is rooted in community and in the belief that when older Texans thrive, all Texans benefit.
Gary noted during the conversation that the issues affecting older adults ripple outward to families, caregivers, neighborhoods, and local economies. The work of the TSHL isn’t just about seniors — it’s about strengthening the entire fabric of Texas communities.
And this is just the beginning. Join us next Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. for Part 2 of our conversation with Sharon Fredriksson, a new TSHL member who has truly hit the ground running.
To learn more about the Texas Silver‑Haired Legislature — and how you can support or even join these remarkable advocates — visit TSHL.org.
