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Lisa Fine received an Amazon Alexa for Christmas five years ago, thinking she would use it just to play music. But when her boyfriend developed a chronic infection that led to the loss of his leg, last September, Alexa became a lifeline.

AARP is here to help you take on today – and every day. From sharing practical resources, to holding fun activities and events, AARP is providing opportunities to connect and help build an even stronger Connecticut for all ages to live, work and play. We hope you’ll join us!

Guest story by Frances J. Trelease

by Bernie Weiss

As we approach spring and the second season of 2019, AARP members and their guests are reminded that they can save money on tickets to hear stories by ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the second half of their lives as part of the 2ND ACT speaker series at Waterbury’s Palace Theater.

Connecticut’s manufacturing industry will need an estimated 25,000 to 35,000 new skilled workers for the state’s 4,100 manufacturing companies in the next two decades. Connecticut state colleges and universities, private colleges, and the state’s comprehensive and technical high schools have done a great job of introducing the varied and high-tech career opportunities available to students in the manufacturing industry. However, the growing demand for qualified workers to meet the resurgent manufacturing industry is outpacing the supply, which has created an increasing need for instructors. AARP Connecticut has begun assisting schools in identifying and recruiting retired manufacturers who might consider applying their real world skills in the classroom.

AARP Connecticut went in front of members of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee on Friday, March 15, to voice concern about SB 877 (an Act Concerning Revenue Items to Implement the Governor’s Budget), which calls for a repeal of the bipartisan income tax relief promise for social security recipients, and those with pensions and annuity income. Most incumbent legislators of both parties promoted their affirmative vote to repeal this tax during the 2018 campaigns .

AARP is now accepting applications for the 2019 Community Challenge grant program to fund “quick-action” projects that spark change in local communities. The grant program, which is now in its third year, is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which aims to make communities great places to live for everyone.

After nearly two decades of implementing legislative and regulatory policies, it is time to provide consumers with the ultimate protection from the confusing – often abusive and illegal – marketing tactics of third-party electric suppliers. Consumer Counsel Elin Swanson Katz, in collaboration with AARP and other consumer advocates, as well as U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, called for the end of the third-party residential electric market that economically harms consumers at a press conference today.

Submitted by Zachary Vickers