BETWEEN US
Margaret Guroff INTERIM EDITOR IN CHIEF
All Over the U.S., AARP Fights for You
It’s not just in Congress. Our advocates speak for people 50+ in every state legislature—including yours
IF YOU’RE OLD enough to remember the 1976 bicentennial, you know what an absolute bunting explosion it was. That year it seemed like everything was red, white and blue: T-shirts, snacks, product packaging, even many fire hydrants, which were repainted in patriotic themes by communities around the country. In the long run-up to July 4, CBS ran nightly “Bicentennial Minute” spots, and ABC’s Schoolhouse Rock! gave American history lessons. When Independence Day finally came, you felt ready.
The nation’s 250th birthday—its semiquincentennial—may find you feeling less prepared, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate. Along with major observances in key cities—you can find our coverage online at aarp.org/america250—there’ll be exhibits and celebrations in every state. We offer a look at historically important sites all over the country that are rolling out the red (white and blue) carpet for visitors this summer (“Beyond the Liberty Bell”).
Also happening across the country: AARP’s state offices are advocating for the interests of people 50 and over. While you may be familiar with AARP’s advocacy on the federal level—where the association works to protect Social Security and Medicare and support family caregivers—many AARP members are not aware that we also have a presence in every state capital, as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Already this year, AARP’s state offices and volunteer advocates have notched some impressive wins on issues including fighting fraud and hunger and keeping utility bills affordable. Indiana, for example, enacted an AARP-backed bill to ban cryptocurrency kiosks, often used by scammers to extract payments from their victims. In Wisconsin, West Virginia and Kentucky, AARP supported successful legislation to shore up state food assistance at a time when many older people with low income are in danger of losing their federal SNAP benefits due to cuts Congress passed last year. And in California, AARP advocates persuaded state regulators to adopt a plan that protects residents in the northern and central parts of the state from significant proposed hikes to their gas and electric bills. In every issue of our sister publication, the AARP Bulletin, you’ll find a page with news about AARP’s activities in your state, and you can always go to aarp.org/advocacy to read our latest news. At that site, you can also volunteer to join AARP’s efforts to empower older Americans.
It has been true for 250 years, and may it be true long into the future: Americans who make their needs and voices heard can change the way their government works. No matter how ready you are (or are not) for the semiquincentennial, that’s something worth lifting a sparkler to.
