STATEMENT OF AARP CALIFORNIA STATE DIRECTOR NANCY McPHERSON ON GOVERNOR NEWSOM’S PROPOSED BUDGET:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 202

CONTACT:
Mark Beach
916.952.8569
mbeach@aarp.org

STATEMENT OF AARP CALIFORNIA STATE DIRECTOR NANCY McPHERSON ON GOVERNOR NEWSOM’S PROPOSED BUDGET:

“Today, Governor Newsom submitted his budget proposal for FY 20/21, beginning July 1. The Governor’s proposed budget contains numerous positive elements and addresses many issues that are of critical importance to AARP members and Californians 50+.



We are particularly pleased with the Governor’s proposals in the following areas:



· Consumer Protection: AARP strongly supports Governor Newsom’s proposal to create a new Financial Protection Bureau, since older persons are disproportionally targeted by predatory lenders and other unscrupulous financial entities.

· Livable, Age-Friendly Communities: We are gratified to see the emphasis placed on the importance of parks and open spaces, which, as the Governor says, truly are “the lungs of the community,” improving the quality of life for people of ALL ages.

· Reducing the Cost of Heath Care and Prescription Drugs: The Governor has proposed numerous initiatives that would help to lower the cost of medical care and prescription drugs for all Californians, among them the creation of an Office of Health Care Affordability.



On behalf of AARP’s 3.3 million California members, I thank Governor Newsom for his thoughtful approach to crafting this budget, and we look forward to working with his administration to ensure the state does everything in its power to improve the lives of Californians of all ages.”

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