AARP Eye Center
AARP Oklahoma advocates for the needs of Oklahomans age 50 and over, as well as their families. We fight for the issues that matter to our members, ensuring your voice is heard at both state and federal levels. Each legislative session and throughout the year, our volunteers and staff work diligently on issues important to members and Oklahomans age 50 and above.
We advocate on issue areas such as protecting Oklahomans against financial fraud, scams and abuse; family caregiving; expanding access to home- and community-based services; improving the quality of care in long-term care settings; fighting to prevent unfair residential utility rate hikes, the development of livable communities and supporting programs that improve health and financial security.
COMING SOON: 2025 OKLAHOMA LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Our staff and volunteers are preparing for the 2025 legislative session, which begins February 3, 2025. Stay tuned to this page for updates on key bills we'll be addressing and ways you can support advocacy efforts championed by AARP Oklahoma. Get involved and make your voice heard!
SAVE THE DATE: 2025 SENIOR DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Join AARP Oklahoma for Senior Day at the Capitol on March 3, 2025. This free event is an opportunity for those interested in matters affecting aging Oklahomans to meet their lawmakers and share their views on important legislation. To learn more or register, click HERE.
STAY INVOLVED | SIGN UP FOR ADVOCACY ALERTS
Visit aarp.org/getinvolved to sign up for advocacy alerts on state and federal advocacy issues. You'll receive the AARP Advocate, a free monthly e-newsletter, e-mail action alerts on the issues you care about and the latest news on local issues, Congress and the White House.
Current Action Items
CARING FOR CAREGIVERS ACT TAX CREDIT
Learn more about the Caring for Caregivers Act, the first tax credit of its kind in the nation. The Caring for Caregivers tax credit is for out-of-pocket costs incurred by the unpaid family caregiver for a limited set of services.
- Learn more about tax credit eligibility requirements, FAQ's and more HERE.
- NOW AVAILABLE! The Oklahoma Tax Commission form needed to file for the Caring for Caregivers Tax Credit is now available. Click HERE to access the form.
UTILITY RATE HIKE CASES
AARP Oklahoma is fighting for residential utility customers because we know Oklahomans can't afford relentless rate hikes. Right now, AARP Oklahoma is intervening in two utility rate cases, which, if approved, will cost OG&E and PSO customers more than $357 million in rate hikes.
- OG&E: Due to a pending settlement agreement, the terms of OG&E's original $332 million request have changed, but your pocketbook will still take a major hit. The settlement would reduce the rate hike to $126 million, increasing residential customers’ bills $9.58 a month, or nearly $115 a year.
- PSO: PSO is asking the Corporation Commission to approve its fifth rate hike request in four years - this time for $231 million. If approved, this rate hike will cost residential customers an additional $16+ a month, or $190 a year. Between rate hikes, fuel adjustment charges, and Winter Storm Uri, PSO customers' bills have already increased by nearly $20 since 2021.
- Active PSO customer action item: click HERE to tell Corporation Commissioners to reject PSO’s $231 million rate hike.
SOCIAL SECURITY
AARP is fighting to protect and strengthen Social Security people 50-plus have paid into and earned through years of hard work. Oklahomans work hard every day, year after year, paying into Social Security and counting on those hard-earned dollars to be there at retirement. It's money Oklahomans are owed and money that one-third of our older neighbors depend on to get by.
- Click HERE to join us as we fight to strengthen Social Security.
More Oklahoma Advocacy Updates
Join AARP Oklahoma at Senior Day at the Capitol on March 3. You'll have the opportunity to meet your lawmakers and share your views on important legislation.
The discussion will focus on AARP’s continued advocacy efforts at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission regarding utility rate hikes for OG&E and PSO customers.
House Bill 3318, by Rep. Steve Bashore (R-Miami) and Sen. Bill Coleman (R-Ponca City), proactively prevents and prohibits unscrupulous brokers from misleading homeowners into signing decades-long agreements that give the real estate brokers the exclusive right to sell the homes.
The Caring for Caregivers Act will give eligible family caregivers a tax credit of up to $2,000 a year starting in the 2024 tax year or up to $3,000 a year if the person being cared for is a veteran or has a dementia-related diagnosis.
AARP Oklahoma compiled these resources for residents that may need assistance or additional information on utility payments, rent payments or home repairs resulting from severe weather.
The public is invited to participate in the Oklahoma Broadband office's 16-stop statewide "Let's Get Digital" listening tour.
AARP Oklahoma is hosting an interactive telephone town hall on May 31 at 10 a.m.
Get updates on AARP Oklahoma advocacy priorities and find out how you can make your voice heard.
AARP Oklahoma urges Oklahoma lawmakers to pass the Caring for Caregivers Act during the 2023 legislative session.
The Valuing the Invaluable report highlights the growing scope and complexity of family caregiving and highlights actions needed to address the many challenges of caring for parents, spouses, and other loved ones.
AARP Oklahoma is urging state lawmakers to support a new bill to provide unpaid family caregivers of older adults a much-needed tax break. The Caring for Caregivers Act would provide financial relief to family caregivers who pay for items such as home safety modifications, medical equipment or home health care to help keep their loved ones at home. It would also help mitigate more costly taxpayer-funded nursing home expenses.
AARP Oklahoma is supporting two pieces of legislation under consideration that would aid in the fight against criminals who use telephones and text messages to defraud Oklahomans.
Learn about AARP Oklahoma's plans and priorities for the 2022 legislative session and find out how to make your voice heard at the Oklahoma Capitol.
AARP Oklahoma issued a statement regarding the Oklahoma Corporation Commission ruling regarding Oklahoma Gas & Electric’s (OG&E) rate case. AARP Oklahoma believes the ruling will put further financial pressure on older Oklahomans on fixed incomes.
About AARP Oklahoma
Contact information and more from your state office. Learn what we are doing to champion social change and help you live your best life.