Advocacy

A new task force will study why many Wyoming employers find it difficult to offer their workers a way to save for retirement.

CHEYENNE - Ready your insurance questions for May 1 as AARP Wyoming hosts a Teletown Hall with Wyoming Insurance Commissioner Tom Glause, and Denise Burke, Senior Health Policy Analyst for the Wyoming Insurance Department.

AARP welcomes this week’s passage in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives of the bipartisan Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act. The legislation requires the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a strategy to support the nation’s 40 million family caregivers. The bill now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.

CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Revenue Committee met ahead of February’s budget session Dec. 4-5 in Cheyenne, to look for cash to fill the state’s empty coffers.

CenturyLink, a telecommunications company serving nearly 30,000 Wyoming households, has petitioned the Wyoming Public Service Commission (PSC) to deregulate landline service in the state. If it is approved, residential customers who now pay, on average, $23 per month for landline service could face higher bills or be forced to move to a more expensive wireless plan.

With an agenda featuring a discussion on changes to Medicare and helpful tips on how to avoid identity theft, it was no surprise nearly 3,400 Wyoming AARP members joined an AARP Wyoming’s TeleTown Hall Oct. 16. The event was moderated by Wyoming Public Radio’s Bob Beck.

Anne Gardetto has reminded Wyoming of its responsibility to all its citizens during her career, especially in an underserved community. Now she is doing the same in retirement. AARP Wyoming honored her for her efforts with the Eddie Wadda Community Service Award during the organization’s State Volunteer Recognition Awards Dinner Tuesday night in Casper.

If there is an AARP-sponsored event or effort in Park County, there is a strong chance Cody resident Jackie Martin is behind the effort. Tuesday night in Casper, Martin was recognized for her work with AARP Wyoming as the organization presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award during its Volunteer Recognition Awards Dinner.

Jackson’s Becky Zaist was awarded the Eddie Wadda Community Service Award by AARP Wyoming at the organization’s Volunteer Recognition Dinner in Casper, Tuesday.

Ethel Percy Andrus, the founder of AARP, was a teacher, and an educational administrator. For that reason, the mission of keeping educators health, both financial and physical, in retirement is one close to the hearts of those at AARP. This year, we honor Barb Garrison as the Retired Educator of the Year for 2017. The Casper resident was instrumental in organizing the Natrona County Retired Education Personnel, using her contacts with retired teachers, principals and other school personnel to develop a group that meets monthly.