AARP Texas

AARP is teaming up with civic leaders and groups to make Fort Worth an even better place to live, work and play for people of all ages.

The 140-day Texas legislative session flew by--a blur of busyness. So too did this summer. Now, September is around the corner. With it's arrival, many new laws go into effect. So what changes do you need to know about? Here are some of the changes that will most impact Texans age 50+ and their families:

AUSTIN, Texas – After three decades as an educator, Mary Ragland is drawing from two pensions and modest Social Security earnings to make ends meet in retirement.

All across Texas, we're looking at things a little differently. We're looking at sidewalks and parks and bus routes. We're asking people what else we should look at. This is part of our focus on helping the biggest cities in Texas join AARP's Network Age-Friendly Communities. Once they join, the work is just starting. Then we talk to locals and neighbors across the great cities, asking them what they want out of their city. We take this information and help the leaders put a plan together to make it happen.

By Lawrence Randle

Attention is focused on the western Gulf of Mexico as a significant storm threatens to bring high winds, coastal damage and inland flooding to large parts of Texas. The National Hurricane Center believes the storm off the Texas Gulf Coast has a 90-percent chance of becoming a tropical storm. That decision will be determined Monday evening or Tuesday. If it gains strength the storm will be upgraded to a tropical storm named Bill.

The recently completed 2015 Texas legislative session posted significant gains for older Texans in key areas including increased spending for home- and community-based care programs, consumer protections against surprise medical billing, and progress on a consumer and homeowner issues for middle class Texans, AARP Texas Director Bob Jackson said.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler drew a smidgeon of laughter from a crowd of about 120 Central Texas AARP members when he told them that not everyone needs to give up their cars and ride city buses in HOV lanes. Rather, he said, just enough motorists should do so to speed up the lane he likes to drive.

“Past performance is no indication of future results.” It's a common adage to warn financial investors. But the saying may also be relevant to hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Amendments designated “Key Votes” by AARP