Local AARP Members Speak Up On Senior Services at State Capitol

The AARP said 34 DeKalb residents and members, including those from Stone Mountain, went to the Georgia Capitol Wednesday to speak in support of senior services.

The group also voiced opposition to bills targeting needy and unemployed, the AARP said. Those include Senate Bill 447 which would reduce state unemployment benefits by 25-50 percent, and the AARP said; and Senate Bill 312, which the organization said requires “personal growth” instruction and activities for needy applicants seeking food stamps and other temporary financial assistance from the state.

AARP said members question where the state will find money to pay for instructors, transportation and child care for applicants in a tight budget.

According to the organization's release, the members "urged lawmakers to maintain funding in this year's state budget for 'respite services' for caregivers helping Alzheimer's patients and other seniors needing long-term care."

The organization said members were from the Decatur and Lithonia chapters, and according to the release, also backed House Bill 290, requiring analysis of tax credits in annual budget reports so that it is easier to assess the effectiveness and impact of such tax breaks, the AARP said.

Wednesday's visit was part of Three Weeks at the Capitol, an annual event hosted and organized by the AARP Georgia State Office during the Georgia Assembly’s legislative session, AARP said.