AARP Rhode Island's 2024 Legislative Agenda

Watch AARP Rhode Island's 2024 Legislative Reception Speaking Program

By Catherine Taylor

AARP’s mission is to empower people to choose how they live as they age. That is AARP Rhode Island’s guiding principle as we call on the 2024 Rhode Island General Assembly to pass legislation that would strengthen financial security for all.

Here are the issues AARP Rhode Island is advocating for in 2024.

Secure Choice
All Rhode Islanders need access to a retirement savings vehicle. The General Assembly must pass the Secure Choice program, which would provide an optional, voluntary Roth-IRA plan to the 172,000 Rhode Island employees who do not have access to a plan through their employer. We are pleased that Governor McKee called for its passage during his January 16 State of the State Address.

Secure Choice has been enacted in 18 states to date. In Connecticut, the program led to over 21,0000 workers saving over $11 million dollars in the first year of operation. These savings would not have been realized without Secure Choice. We urge legislators to pass Secure Choice.

RI Tax on Social Security
Rhode Island is one of only 11 states that tax hard-earned Social Security benefits. Our state tax on Social Security undermines the purpose of Social Security, which was designed to lift older adults out of poverty – not to fund state government. Whether it is raising the income thresholds under existing law or a complete exemption of Social Security benefits from taxation, AARP supports all efforts to keep more hard-earned money in the pockets of older Rhode Islanders.

ADUs
AARP wants lawmakers to help older adults live safely and independently in their communities. Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs, have potential to improve the lives of older adults, family caregivers, and people of all ages. An ADU is a small residence that shares a single-family lot with a larger, primary dwelling. It is an independent living space with its own kitchen or kitchenette, bathroom and sleeping area. AARP Rhode Island’s 2023Vital Voices survey showed that 79% of Rhode Islanders support town ordinances that would make it easier for property owners to create an ADU.

Cryptocurrency ATM Regulation
Consumer fraud is soaring. This legislative session AARP Rhode Island will work with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office on a bill that will require owners of cryptocurrency ATMs to post warnings about the risk of scams. Over 100 cryptocurrency ATMs are located in convenience stores, laundromats, and liquor stores across the state. Unregulated, they are utilized as a payment method in a variety of scams.

Property Taxs
We also encourage lawmakers to explore ways to provide property tax relief that is equitable, cost-effective, and targeted to homeowners with low and moderate incomes. Ways to achieve this may include homestead exemptions, property tax deferral programs, and circuit breaker tax program enhancements.

Caregiving
AARP calls on legislators to support family caregivers by expanding Rhode Island’s Temporary Caregivers Insurance program so that it offers 12 weeks per year and expands the definition of whom one can care for to include siblings and grandparents.

Our work is cut out for us. Rest assured that AARP Rhode Island and our State Advocacy Volunteers will be hard at work, fighting for what’s right for older Rhode Islanders. You can join this fight by becoming a member of our Advocacy Volunteer Team. Learn more www.aarp.org/RIVolunteers.

AARP Rhode Island volunteers Ruth Bucci and Deborah Imondi with Rep. Arthur Corvese at the February 8 Legislative Reception.