AARP Sets 2007 State Legislative Agenda

Source: AARP.org | December 29, 2006

AARP Tennessee is actively promoting legislation aimed at making real improvements in the lives of Tennesseans age 50+ and our families. AARP volunteers and staff have already met with many of the two dozen new members of the House and Senate to begin talking about a broad range of issues that are expected to be addressed in 2007.

Identity Theft
Simply speaking, identity theft is stealing another person's identifying information with the intent to commit a crime. Although there are different ways to commit identity theft, most of the crimes involve using the victim's personal information to open new financial accounts in the victim's name or accessing a victim's existing financial accounts to make fraudulent charges. In 2005, more than 3,400 cases of identity theft were reported throughout the state, with credit card fraud, bank fraud, and utilities and phone fraud the leading types reported.

AARP will be promoting legislation to protect Tennesseans from the growing threat of identity theft. Because most identity theft involves fraudulently obtaining a consumer's credit report, this bipartisan measure will focus on giving consumers control over who has access to that critical information. To date, 25 states have enacted so-called "security freeze" bills, which allow consumers an easy way to place or lift a "freeze" on access to their credit files.

Property Tax Relief
With an AARP amendment which allows local government to enact property tax relief programs for Tennessee's active support, voters in November overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment benefiting homeowners age 65 and older with modest incomes. Legislation will be considered which puts a limit on how much income homeowners can have before they can be eligible for local tax relief programs. AARP will be working with state legislators to make sure the measure that passes provides as much flexibility to local governments as possible, so they can set income limits that are appropriate for their particular circumstances and budgets.

Choices for Care
Following great strides in 2006, AARP will be making sure that new home and community-based services, such as adult day care, assisted living, and in-home respite care are available to elderly and disabled citizens in all 95 counties. When fully implemented, new Choices for Care options will save individuals and the state money by helping people avoid placement in a nursing home whenever possible.

Health Care Reform
With Governor Bredesen's new Cover Tennessee initiatives set to become available in the coming months, AARP will be working with legislators to build on these programs to make sure everything possible is being done to provide access to affordable health care for Tennesseans who currently lack coverage.

Other Issues
AARP will be engages in a variety of other issues that affect our members, ranging from cable television rates to helping Tennessee workers save for retirement.

You can get involved by becoming an AARP E-Activist. To receive updates on our issues, register online.