Albany, N.Y. – A new AARP report “The $31 Million Ratepayer Disadvantage - The Energy Rate Game Needs A Change” highlights one of several major flaws in how New York develops energy rates that has created a great disadvantage to residential ratepayers.
AARP New York volunteers are a dynamic group of people using skills they’ve cultivated. They work to improve the lives of fellow New Yorkers — and not just folks age 50 and older. They may attend a hip hop concert and hand out fliers about Medicare. They might lend a hand at food drives around Thanksgiving. Or they may travel to Albany to make sure the governor and state legislators are aware of vital issues, like caregiving support and unaffordable prescription drug prices. Whether you love meeting new people, working on projects that matter to your community, or speaking up on issues that impact people 50 and older, AARP has a role for you.
In November of this year, people 50 and older will cast their votes throughout the boroughs as they elect leaders in their communities. November also marks my 11th anniversary with AARP. My journey with AARP started in Boston, led me to Albany, and finally resulted in my arrival here in New York City – a place where the current mayor and I both root for the same baseball team, even though they’re in last place.
Mention the words “fiduciary standard” and a lot of eyelids grow heavy. But that was far from the case today as New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, the Counselor to U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez and a host of New Yorkers concerned about protecting a serious threat to our retirement security joined me and my AARP NY colleagues.
We were thrilled to host our first candidate forum of 2015 in Queens, marking AARP’s first-ever dive into issues advocacy on the local level in New York City. More than 200 New Yorkers engaged in the event and had many questions for the candidates.
Having grown up in New York City, I have experienced the rapidly changing dynamics of our great city for more than half a century. As I look to age into my next 50 years in NYC, I realize that none of these changing dynamics have been as fundamental as the generational shifts. So as a charter member of the Baby Boomers and a lifelong New Yorker I understand why Generation X and Boomers have “High Anxiety” about how they can afford to age in NYC AARP NY has the unique opportunity to impact the lives of the current aging cohort and of the generations that will follow them. This year marks the commitment that AARP will be on the ground, in all five Boroughs and on the steps of City Hall fighting for AARP NY’s 750,000 members in NYC on issues that matter to them and future generations of New Yorkers.
Today marks a significant milestone in what Americans agree is one of the most important - if not the most important - government program - Social Security turns 80!