AARP Virginia Encourages Voters to Be Informed

AARP Virginia has teamed up with the League of Women Voters of Virginia to host the People’s Debate between gubernatorial candidates Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell.

The statewide televised debate will be held at 8 p.m. October 12 in Richmond. Richmond television stations CBS 6 WTVR and WCVE are co-producing and distributing the debate to all Virginia broadcasters. The People’s Debate will feature an online component allowing voters to submit their own questions to the candidates.

Judy Woodruff, veteran political reporter and senior correspondent for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer will moderate the debate, which will be broadcast live across the state by all PBS television and radio stations and most commercial networks. Panelists for the debate will include CBS 6 anchor Stephanie Rochon, WCVE’s “Virginia Currents” host May-Lily Lee, AARP Virginia State Director Bill Kallio, and League of Women Voters of Virginia President Olga Hernandez.

AARP Virginia has produced a 2009 Voters’ Guide for the governor’s race. AARP asked key questions about issues important to its members and their families. The guide can be viewed at www.aarp.org/va.

Voters are encouraged to get involved in the Governor’s race and legislative races by attending candidate forums and asking tough questions. Questions AARP asked the candidates include:

1. Will you support or oppose legislation that would create an affordable way for small businesses to establish employee payroll deduction plans for retirement?

AARP position: The personal savings rate of Americans has been falling for the past two decades. Low savings rates do not help today's workers prepare for retirement. Statistics show that employees who save through an employer provided payroll deduction plan generally are better prepared for retirement than those who do not. Today, only about 50% of workers have access to an employer plan. Small businesses that want to offer payroll deduction plans find the cost too high and the availability of product offerings limited. By pooling plans in a state supported program it would be possible to expand retirement savings plans and help workers better prepare for their futures.

2. Will you support or oppose legislation that would expand the availability of affordable quality health care to all Virginians?

AARP position: Today, more than one million Virginians do not have health insurance. In 1998 Virginia ranked 10th among the states in health status. By 2006 that had dropped to 21st. As the economic downturn continues many more Virginians find themselves without employer provided health coverage and unable to purchase private plans due to cost or preexisting health conditions. Providing health care services to individuals without health coverage drives up overall costs, compromises quality care and contributes to individual family hardships.

3. Will you support or oppose legislation that would provide greater choices for Virginians to receive long-term care services at home in the communities where they live?

AARP position: According to AARP research, more than 80% of all Virginians want to age in their homes as long as possible. Today, however, Virginia spends 77% of its Medicaid long-term care budget on nursing home care and just 23% of it on home and community based services. Evidence indicates that a greater investment in home and community based services will better serve an aging population and could result in Medicaid savings over the long run. As Virginia's population ages, the need for greater choice in care options will increase dramatically.

4. Do you support or oppose legislation that would require financial institutions to report suspected financial abuse and exploitation of the elderly?

AARP position: Financial abuse and exploitation is a crime, which is not usually reported. The national Center on Elder Abuse reported that only 1 in 25 cases are reported. Less than 1% of the reports made in 2007 were from financial institutions. Suspected financial exploitation of the elderly can be detected by trained financial employees and deterred by early and prompt reporting. Presently, financial institutions in Virginia are not required to train their employees or to report suspect financial abuse to Adult Protective Services.

5. Do you support of oppose legislation that would prohibit car title lenders from charging interest rates above 36% APR?AARP position: Car title loans are short-term, high interest loans secured by the borrower's automobile. Triple-digit interest rates make it nearly impossible to repay the loan, leading to over 6,000 vehicle repossessions each year in Virginia and the loss of what is most likely a family's greatest asset and only way to work and school. Car title lenders in Virginia are currently allowed to charge any interest rate they wish as long as they don't require any payment for the first 25 days. Most car title lenders are charging up to 360% APR on a fully secured loan, well over the 36% APR maximum allowed for banks and other lending institutions in Virginia.