Arizona AARP 2016 Advocacy Priorities

Arizona AARP's has announced its Advocacy Priorities for 2016.

AARP volunteers will be engaged in efforts to support these issues during the 2016 Arizona legislative session, which kicked off on Jan. 11.

2016 Arizona Advocacy Priorities:

Protecting Retirement Income – A secure retirement is composed of four pillars: Social Security, pensions and savings, earnings and health insurance. AARP will strongly support public and private pension plans keeping the promises made to workers and retirees invested in the plans to ensure future retirees have adequate income.

Helping People Stay in their Own Homes and Communities - Arizona’s aging population, those over 85 who are most in need of long term care, is projected to be 280,000 by 2035, a 100% increase from 2012. The number of individuals in Arizona over 65 will grow to nearly one-in-five residents by 2030. No one should be forced out of their home in order to receive long term services and supports. AARP is:

• supporting funding for respite to help relieve the stresses of 24/7 caregiving,
• working to require better training of family caregivers in the necessary medical tasks before an older Arizonan's release from the hospital and
• fighting to prevent adult abuse and ensuring there is adequate funding and protection for elderly victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

 

Opposing Arbitrary Tax and Spending Limitations – AARP will oppose arbitrary tax and spending limitations, such as TABOR initiatives, which eliminate important future state fiscal flexibility.

Fighting for Fair Residential Utility Consumer – As incomes decline, expenditures on utilities become a larger portion of household budgets for those age 50 and older. AARP has helped save Arizona consumers millions of dollars through its advocacy at the Arizona Corporation Commission. AARP will continue its efforts to ensure affordable, accessible, safe and reliable utilities.

Ensuring Health Care is Available - through supporting Arizona's Medicaid expansion and the re-establishment of the Arizona KidsCare program.

Fighting Against Predatory Lending – AARP Arizona will work to ensure Arizona does not provide exemptions to our existing interest rate limits, auto title loans are structured as installment loan products with reasonable limits on interest and evaluation of the borrower’s ability to repay, and that borrowers have adequate protection in the event of a default.

For more information about AARP Arizona's advocacy efforts at the State Capitol, or to volunteer, please email aarpaz@aarp.org .