Kim Loop

The 140-day Texas legislative session flew by--a blur of busyness. So too did this summer. Now, September is around the corner. With it's arrival, many new laws go into effect. So what changes do you need to know about? Here are some of the changes that will most impact Texans age 50+ and their families:

All across Texas, we're looking at things a little differently. We're looking at sidewalks and parks and bus routes. We're asking people what else we should look at. This is part of our focus on helping the biggest cities in Texas join AARP's Network Age-Friendly Communities. Once they join, the work is just starting. Then we talk to locals and neighbors across the great cities, asking them what they want out of their city. We take this information and help the leaders put a plan together to make it happen.

The recently completed 2015 Texas legislative session posted significant gains for older Texans in key areas including increased spending for home- and community-based care programs, consumer protections against surprise medical billing, and progress on a consumer and homeowner issues for middle class Texans, AARP Texas Director Bob Jackson said.

“Past performance is no indication of future results.” It's a common adage to warn financial investors. But the saying may also be relevant to hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Amendments designated “Key Votes” by AARP

We carefully chose the issues we're focusing on during the 2015 Texas Legislative Session. One of the key elements is that all these topics are close to home for countless Texas families. So chances are you have a relative, neighbor or friend with a personal experience highlighting why at least one of these issues are important--and why Texas legislators should take note and work to fix or improve the situation.

Identity theft is a growing concern. For the 15th consecutive year, it was the top complaint in the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, accounting for 13 percent of the total 2.5 million filed complaints. Identity theft complaints in Texas totaled 25,843. Nationally, people in their 40s and 50s filed the most complaints – 19 percent – while 18 percent of complaints were made by those in both their 20s and 30s. People age 60 and older filed 13 percent of complaints and people age 70 and older only filed 7 percent of complaints.

Free tax assistance and preparation, beginning this week

One winner and guest to be selected for each home game between Nov. 17 and Dec. 31

AARP Foundation, with support from the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Social Innovation Fund, will choose five community colleges to receive nearly $3 million in grants to help women age 50+ find jobs, reduce debt and rebuild savings--paving the way to greater financial stability. Texas community colleges will compete against colleges in New Mexico, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida.