|
HARRISBURG – To prepare for the wave of Baby Boomers who are nearing retirement age, Governor Edward G. Rendell has directed all agencies under his jurisdiction to develop plans to meet the challenges of serving an older population. By 2020, one in four Pennsylvania residents will be over the age of 60.
“This year, an estimated 124,000 Pennsylvanians are celebrating their 60th birthday – and they represent only the first wave of our state’s 3.4 million Baby Boomers,” said Governor Rendell. “My 2020 Vision Project will require all commonwealth agencies to be prepared to meet the needs of Pennsylvania’s changing population.”
By 2020, an estimated 3.2 million Pennsylvanians will be age 60 or older, up from 2.4 million in 2000. Baby Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964.
Created by executive order, Governor Rendell’s 2020 Vision Project will develop a multi-agency strategic response to the projected growth in the state's older population. All agencies and departments under the Governor's jurisdiction will participate in the project, which will be led by the Department of Aging.
The 2020 Vision project will identify strategies to meet the demands population changes will place on existing programs, the need for new or expanded programs and services, and the resources necessary to pay for these programs and services. The project will also evaluate the impact of the aging population on the economy, workforce, and tax base and on the social service, health care, and public infrastructure of the commonwealth.
###
The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: www.governor.state.pa.us.
EDITOR’S NOTE: the text of Governor Rendell’s Executive Order follows.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Governor's Office
Subject: Pennsylvania 2020 Vision Project
Number: 2006-04
Date: June 16, 2006
By Direction of: Edward G. Rendell, Governor
WHEREAS, the generation of Americans born between 1946 and 1964, commonly referred to as the "Baby Boomer" generation, has had a significant impact on social and civic institutions; and
WHEREAS, the "Baby Boomer" generation begins to turn age 60 this year and nears retirement; Pennsylvania currently ranks third in the nation in the percentage of people age 65 and older; and, by the year 2020, one in every four (4) Pennsylvanians will be 60 or older; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania also ranks fourth among states in the number of people age 85 and older, a number that is projected to increase by more than 40 percent by 2020, presenting major challenges to the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, by 2020, the number of Pennsylvanians age 65 and older will equal the number of children under age 15; the oldest of the "Baby Boomer" generation will be age 74; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth is on the leading edge of another historic era that has significant implications for state government over the next decade and a half, requiring all government agencies, commissions, and departments to consider the demands and opportunities that will result from demographic forces; and
WHEREAS, the Governor recently established the Long Term Living Council to lead reform efforts of the Commonwealth's long term living system and to assure the accountability of designated agencies for their assigned powers, duties, and responsibilities in support of this effort; and
WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging was established for the advancement of the well-being of older Pennsylvanians, the coordination of the Commonwealth's programs and promotion of efficient delivery of services to this group, and to encourage their involvement in social, economic, and political affairs, which makes the Department of Aging uniquely positioned to coordinate policy development and planning for the impact of the "Baby Boomer" generation on the institutions of state government.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other laws, do hereby establish the Pennsylvania 2020 Vision Project. The purpose of this project will be to facilitate the development of a Commonwealth-wide, multi-agency strategic response to the anticipated dramatic growth in the state's older population through the year 2020. All agencies and departments under the Governor's jurisdiction will participate in the planning in response to the approaching challenges and opportunities presented by this demographic change.
1. Establishment of Pennsylvania 2020 Vision Project. The Pennsylvania 2020 Vision Project shall evaluate the impact that the growth in Pennsylvania's older population is expected to have on the programs and services of state government by identifying strategies for addressing the demands that this growth will place on existing programs, the need for new or expanded programs and services, and the resources that will be necessary to allow state government to address the demand for these programs and services. The project shall also evaluate the impact of this aging population on the economy, workforce, and tax base and on the social service, health care, and public infrastructure of the Commonwealth. The Secretary of Aging shall head the project.
2. Responsibilities of the Department of Aging. The Department of Aging (PDA) shall:
a. conduct demographic analyses, as necessary to facilitate discussions and planning for population changes, as part of the Pennsylvania 2020 Vision Project;
b. convene work group meetings, made up of selected agency representatives and outside organizations and individuals to be named by the Secretary of Aging, to develop work plans and formats for a final Pennsylvania 2020 Vision Project response plan;
c. coordinate Pennsylvania 2020 Vision Project activities with other agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction;
d. deliver a final Pennsylvania 2020 Vision Project response plan to the Governor and the Long Term Living Council;
e. based on this response plan, pursue follow-up activities and disseminate project results, so that agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction can be prepared to effectively respond to coming demographic changes; and
f. provide such resources as may be necessary to complete the work of the project, including the hiring of outside consultants and staff.
3. Responsibilities of other agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction. Other agencies shall:
a. designate a senior official to oversee that agency's participation in the Pennsylvania 2020 Vision Project;
b. contribute to the Pennsylvania's 2020 Vision Project planning and activities to ensure effective agency participation; and
c. upon request, provide assistance to the PDA to support the objectives of the Pennsylvania 2020 Vision Project.
4. Effective Date. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall expire December 31, 2006.
###
Content Last Modified on 6/26/2006 11:29:17 AM
Kate Philips
717-783-1116
Press Release June 22nd 2006
| 