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AARP Outlines 2014 Legislative Priorities to Help Hoosiers

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Thursday, January 16, 2014   

INDIANAPOLIS – It's back to business for lawmakers in Indy, and AARP says there are some agenda items policymakers should prioritize to improve the lives of all Hoosiers.

State director June Lyle says one important piece of legislation, Senate Bill 66, would create a statewide voluntary savings program for those who aren't currently offered an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

"We just really think that's a win-win for employees and for the state as well to encourage people to save for retirement as we know people need to do," she maintains.

Lyle says more than 1.4 million Indiana workers do not have access to an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan, which makes it challenging to save responsibly for retirement and raises concern about the future pressures on state programs such as Medicaid.

Other legislation AARP Indiana is supporting includes a tax credit for family caregivers and Complete Streets legislation, which would consider the needs of users of all ages and abilities when developing roadway construction.

Lyle adds she hopes lawmakers consider the Caregiver Tax Credit or House Bill 1230, as an increasing number of people want to age in their homes and communities as long as possible.

She says the responsibility of that care often falls upon a family member, and a tax credit would help relieve some of the economic burden.

"Being a caregiver can be really tough emotionally but it can also be very tough financially,” she says. “And so this would provide a tax credit of up to $500 for a moderate-income caregiver who is taking care of a parent or grandparent in their own home."

Lyle stresses AARP's priorities are aimed at improving the lives of almost all Indiana residents, especially Complete Streets legislation, introduced as Senate Bill 147, which would help build pedestrian access and bike lanes and provide opportunities to connect into mass transit.

"If you make a roadway usable for a mom pushing a stroller, then you are probably making it usable for somebody who has a disability so it really does benefit the entire community and not just older people," she explains.

The current legislative session runs through March 14.





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