AARP West Virginia
State Legislative Update
F E B R U A R Y 2 6 , 2 0 1 3
AARP West Virginia leaders outline advocacy agenda for 2013 West Virginia Legislature
“Complete
Streets,” enhancing retirement security and financial exploitation protections among
session goals
AARP West Virginia state leaders today detailed the
organization’s legislative agenda for the first
session of the 81st West Virginia Legislature, with a focus on
legislative action in the areas of community development, retirement security, financial
exploitation issues, and home energy affordability.
AARP West Virginia staff and
volunteers are maintaining a very active presence at the State Capitol
throughout the 60-day regular session (which concludes April 13), working on behalf of nearly 300,000 members
across the Mountain State. AARP is working closely with state leaders on the
passage of legislation impacting West Virginians 50-plus, which includes:
- Adoption of “Complete Streets”
legislation: AARP supports “Complete Streets”
legislation that formally adopts state policies that promote effective
transportation planning, coordination and community development. “Complete
Streets” is a transportation development concept that incorporates features in
transportation design and planning that enhance safety, mobility and
accessibility for all transportation users: pedestrians, bicyclists,
motorists and public transportation users.
During the past decade, nearly
300 pedestrians and cyclists have died on West Virginia roadways as a result of
injuries sustained in motor-vehicle related traffic accidents, according to
data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Between
2000 and 2006, the total human capital costs associated with these types of
motor vehicle accidents on West Virginia roadways was approximately $565
million ($80.7 million per year), based on a West Virginia University study
that determined costs borne by individuals and corporations in medical costs,
emergency services, property damage and lost productivity.
- Helping People Stay in Their Own
Homes and Communities: AARP
supports efforts to take advantage of new and existing opportunities to improve
access to Home and Community Based Services (HCBS); and to protect and expand
the Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW) program, State respite funding for
the Family Alzheimer’s In-Home Respite (FAIR) program, and the Lighthouse
program.
- Protecting Older West Virginians
Against Fraud and Financial Exploitation: Working with the West Virginia Financial Exploitation Task Force, AARP
supports state laws that strengthen protections against fraud, deception, and
unfair practices; and equip consumers with the tools needed to make informed
choices and to protect themselves.
- Enhancing Retirement Security: AARP supports efforts by the West Virginia
Association of Retired School Employees (WVARSE) to protect retirees from
reduction or elimination of promised benefits, preserve access to defined
benefit plans and cost of living adjustments, and limit taxation of retirement
income.
- Fighting for the West Virginia
Utility Consumer:
AARP will continue
its utility advocacy, with an emphasis on defeating or mitigating unfair rate
increases for utility ratepayers; opposing legislation that would require
advanced payments for multibillion dollar power plants; and, ensuring that
providers of electricity, gas, landline, wireless and broadband internet offer
services customers can depend on.
“For more than 50 years, AARP has been dedicated to
enhancing the quality of life for all as we age. We’re actively engaging our
members for their input on the issues that are most important to them, and our
advocacy agenda for this session reflects the feedback we’ve received from West
Virginians 50-plus,” said Gaylene Miller, AARP West Virginia state director.
Older West Virginians want to remain in their homes and
communities for as long as possible, and many of the issues AARP is focusing on
this legislative session address home and community issues important to those
50-plus.
“Livable communities provide safety and security for
individuals who wish to remain in their homes and communities as they age. Complete
Streets policy represents a mindset that encourages common sense planning for
new infrastructure development, where state transportation planners would consider
all transportation users as they relate to the unique transportation needs of
growing communities in the Mountain State,” said Randy Myers, AARP West
Virginia state president.
Home energy
affordability continues to be a major issue for low- to moderate-income West
Virginians of all ages. AARP West Virginia has heard from thousands of the
state’s utility customers about the challenges they’re facing in paying their
monthly bills.
“There are many challenges that
lie ahead for West Virginia utility ratepayers. Billion dollar acquisition
deals associated with electric generating capacity and a focus on improved reliability
in the wake of last year’s severe storms would likely result in higher future costs
for state ratepayers. Additionally, thousands of West Virginians could face a
significant increase in water rates by the end of 2013,” said Miller. “For
thousands of older West Virginians, many of whom live on fixed incomes, any
increase in home energy costs has a significant impact. We remain focused on
these important pocket-book issues and the potential impact any rate increases
would have on West Virginia families.”
For the latest developments on AARP West Virginia's advocacy work at the West Virginia State Capitol, connect with us online:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AARPWestVirginia
Twitter: www.twitter.com/AARPWV
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