Today, with nearly 600,000 members in Connecticut, AARP is able to leverage our collective strength to make sure that the needs, interests and concerns of the 50+ community are heard in the marketplace and by our elected officials. View the results of our recent survey online.

Recently, AARP won victories when the State Legislature reduced an onerous new fee that had been added to the bills of low-income elderly clients receiving home care services through the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders.

In the first weeks after the new fee was added, more than 400 people dropped off the program because they could no longer afford to receive care at home – putting them at greater risk of entering a nursing home. AARP successfully advocated to get the fee reduced by more than half, saving the average person on the program about $80 a month, and those with the greatest needs as much as $250 a month.

AARP is disappointed that Governor Malloy has proposed increasing this fee again as part of his 2011/2012 State Budget. We will continue fighting to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities can choose where to receive care and have access to affordable home and community-based care.
 
With the help of our Driver Safety Program volunteers, AARP was successful in getting legislation passed last year that authorized a 4-hour Driver Safety Course in Connecticut and extended the mandatory insurance discount for drivers aged 60+ who complete the course. Regulations also were adopted to authorize a mandatory insurance discount for drivers 60+ who take an online driver safety course.

When it comes to saving you money, AARP is continuing to fight to lower electricity rates in Connecticut. Connecticut ratepayers currently pay the highest electricity rates in the continental U.S., and nearly 15% higher than neighboring states. Last year, AARP championed important legislation that would help reduce residential electricity rates, provide additional relief for low-income customers and provide consumer protections for residents switching from standard service to a retail supplier. The legislation passed both houses of the Legislature but was vetoed by Governor Rell. AARP is again working with legislative leaders and the new Governor to enact similar legislation in 2011. Learn more and join our campaign.

As part of our Voter Education efforts in 2010, AARP Connecticut produced voter guides for every statewide office and nearly all local legislative races. The guides highlighted each candidate’s views on a variety of issues critical to 50+ voters. The guides were made available online and at local events throughout the state leading up to the November elections. AARP also hosted 2 congressional candidate debates and a gubernatorial candidate debate in October 2010. The debates were filmed and made available for viewing online.