AARP Connecticut has released its priorities for the upcoming legislative session and the advocacy group said financial issues and making Connecticut affordable are key concerns for 2025.
“Policies and issues that impact the pocketbooks of Connecticut residents is a major priority of our legislative work every year and will be again in 2025,” said AARP Connecticut State Director Nora Duncan in a statement.
“Our state office staff and volunteers are ready to work with lawmakers, policymakers, and other organizations on legislation that will keep more money in the pockets of our members and ensures Connecticut’s residents and older adults are supported through program availability, quality services, consumer protections and initiatives to address affordability and the cost of living in Connecticut,” she said.
Like other groups, AARP Connecticut named high utility bills as a priority for Connecticut lawmakers when they reconvene Jan. 8, 2025, as the group pushes for policies it says will benefit residents 50 years and older.
Some residents “have to choose between food, medicine, and keeping the lights on.” To combat the problem, AARP wants to see legislators make reforms in the power generation market, increase funding and expand eligibility for energy assistance programs to help residents struggling to pay their energy bills, and oppose weakening consumer protections in the state’s third-party electric supplier market.
AARP is also looking to see Connecticut legislators create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, an independent body to evaluate and set drug prices to “ensure drug prices are reasonable, justified, and support improved consumer access and affordability.”
Affordable housing also makes AARP’s list of priorities to make Connecticut affordable for older residents and allow them to live independently. According to the group, 55% of older Connecticut residents are concerned about the affordability of staying in their homes. Increased transportation options and increased affordable housing are potential solutions.
AARP would like to see financial relief for the 420,000 unpaid family caregivers it says “provide an estimated 390 million hours of care yearly to assist older parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, and other loved ones so they can live independently in their homes – where they want to be. Caregivers make tremendous financial, physical, and emotional sacrifices to help loved ones with bathing, meal preparation, medical tasks, bill paying, transportation, and more.” The group is seeking “a modest tax credit” to help those caregivers.
Predatory lending like pay day loans and “earned wage advances” are another concern. The alternative financial services, which disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic/Latino residents, are regulated in Connecticut and AARP said it will lobby legislators to uphold current regulations.
On conventional banking services, AARP wants more protections enacted. “Connecticut should limit overdraft and non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees and prohibit destructive overdraft practices by financial institutions chartered in the state; collect data on overdraft and NFS fee revenue and practices; require state institutions to offer safe bank accounts without overdraft and NSF fees; and strengthen state bank account garnishment laws to ensure they automatically protect a base amount of income to pay for necessities,” AARP said in the release.
Financial fraud against seniors and increase oversight at Connecticut’s nursing homes are additional priorities.
Finally, AARP Connecticut said artificial intelligence is an issue it’s keeping an eye on. AARP believes “fairness, transparency, and accountability should guide all uses of AI or other algorithmic tools that make consequential decisions regarding someone’s health, income or employment. AARP will advocate for strong protections and support efforts to combat the use of AI to scam older Americans, as well as to disrupt elections and voting.”
