AARP Georgia Sets 2009 Legislative Priorities

Source: AARP.org

As legislators begin preparing for the start of the 2009 session in January, AARP Georgia has targeted several key areas where it will focus its efforts to benefit both its members and other Georgians.

With an expected shortfall of $1.6 billion in this year's budget, spending is likely to be a top consideration as legislators grapple with key programs and their costs. In several cases, AARP legislative priorities emphasize approaches that both save money and maintain the quality of life for those affected. 

“Georgia, like many states, is seeing its tax revenue decrease as the result of a slowing economy,” said Kathy Floyd, associate director of advocacy for AARP Georgia.  “But we believe it is possible to provide legislative leadership that protects vulnerable Georgia residents while maintaining prudent fiscal policies through careful budgeting and elimination of waste.”

Georgia AARP's 2009 legislative priorities include: 

Long-term care:  More than 19,000 Georgians are on official waiting lists for home- and community- based long-term care services, and AARP believes the state should provide additional funding for such key programs. Such care allows Georgians to remain independent and avoid placement in nursing homes, which are at least three times more expensive.

Health care reform:  Georgia has the 10th highest uninsured rate in the country with 17.6 percent of Georgians lacking health insurance.  AARP supports efforts to reduce the number of uninsured and underinsured Georgians through programs like PeachCare for Kids, a comprehensive health care program that currently has 280,000 children enrolled.

Tax reform:  The last session of the Georgia Legislature saw a host of ill-considered tax proposals that failed. AARP supports a comprehensive look at Georgia’s tax system, and it will support reforms that are responsive to the needs of the state as a whole.  It supports tax proposals that promote a balance between state and local government and that are based on one's ability to pay.  AARP opposes proposals that would increase the tax burden on lower and fixed-income Georgians, especially those that would add sales tax on food and prescription drugs. It also opposes formulas that would limit the ability of state government to meet Georgia's budget needs.

Mortgage/Foreclosure Reform:  Approximately 1 in every 442 households in Georgia received a foreclosure filing in August 2008, and AARP Georgia supports tougher criminal sanctions for scams involving mortgage refinancing and foreclosure rescue plans where troubled borrowers are duped into losing title to their home.  Older Americans who need to tap their equity to pay for home repairs, long-term care or other expenses should be protected from abusive lenders and predatory loans.

Retirement Support:  Only 50 percent of employees nationwide have a retirement savings plans available through their jobs.  AARP supports policies that increase options and opportunities for individuals to save for retirement, allowing them to enjoy more financial stability once they leave the work force. 

“We believe that these priorities accurately reflect the current needs of thousands of Georgians, including our members,” said Floyd. “We will be pursuing these priorities before and during the 2009 state legislative session.”

How can you help?  Contact your state legislators and express your support for AARP Georgia’s 2009 state legislative priorities.   To find out who your state legislators are and how to contact them, please visit www.capwiz.com/aarp/home/.

For more information on AARP Georgia’s 2009 state legislative priorities or to find out how you can help, contact AARP Georgia associate state director for advocacy Will Phillips at 404-870-3793 or wphillips@aarp.org.