Fighting for the 50+ in 2015-17 State Budget

Supporting Wisconsin’s family caregivers and assuring that all Wisconsinites have the framework to build a solid financial plan for their retirement are two of AARP Wisconsin’s state legislative priorities as the governor and legislature begin work on the 2015-17 state budget.

 Here are some solutions to these and other issues that we’ll be fighting for on your behalf during the upcoming state budget cycle. We will be testifying on these issues during the Joint Finance Committee’s state budget public hearings this spring. (Photo shows AARP testifying at a JFC hearing during the last budget cycle).

  Caregiving – We support the creation of a Legislative Caregiver Task Force to deal with many issues facing Wisconsin’s 590,000 caregivers. The task force should consider the CARE Act, expansion of respite programs, flexible workplace programs for people with caregiving obligations, tax credits and other ways to support family caregivers.

 The CARE Act would require providers of health services to keep the caregiver informed and involve them in treatment options. Expanding respite programs and facilities would reduce caregiver stress. We’d also like to see certain caregiver expenses be tax deductible or eligible for a tax credit.

  Retirement Savings – We support the Wisconsin Private Secure Retirement Act, which would provide Wisconsinites a base level work-based retirement savings option. This act was introduced at the end of the last session and no action was taken. We anticipate it will be reintroduced next session, and we hope it will have bipartisan support since it is also very good for small businesses, the self-employed, farmers and all other workers currently without pension coverage.

Access to land phone lines – We support the reintroduction and passage of a Provider of Last Resort bill. Reliable telephone service is a basic necessity, allowing older people to maintain social contact, preserve health and safety, and ensure assistance in case of an emergency. AARP opposes any legislation that would unfairly deregulate telephone service and put reliable landline phone service at risk.

  Family Care – Family Care is a Wisconsin program available in 64 counties that gives frail elderly and people with disabilities the opportunity to receive long-term care at home rather than in costly institutions. We will push to include funding in the state budget to add Family Care in the remaining eight counties.

  Age-Friendly communities – We favor programs that support age-friendly and dementia-friendly communities, which would allow people to age in place safely and with the support of family and community networks.

Medicaid expansion – We support acceptance of full Medicaid expansion. This would bring additional federal dollars into Wisconsin’s Medicaid budget. Increased federal match rates also help reduce state tax dollars needed for Medicaid and allow better support of existing programs.

  Homestead Tax Credit – This credit delivers property tax relief to low-income owners and renters. We support raising the credit amount available and the income-eligibility limit. We also favor raising the cap on property value, and indexing this program for the future.