; Washington
Budget ax Lawmakers are in a special
session this month to deal with a $1.4
billion shortfall for the 2011-2013 budget.
Among the belt-tightening proposals is
one that would eliminate long-term care
services for more than 5,000 people. If
approved, seniors would lose home-care
assistance, and people living in adult family
homes would have to pay for their own
care or move out. ; “This would roll back
decades of progress toward providing
cost-effective alternatives to nursing home
care,” said John Barnett, AARP state presi-
dent. “Family caregivers will not be able
to pick up the slack." ; AARP is asking
members who would be affected by cuts
to in-home care to email their stories to
aarpwa@aarp.org. To oppose the cuts, call
legislators at 1-800-562-6000 and write a
message to Gov. Christine Gregoire, D, at
governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp.
; Nevada
Voters’ guide In Nevada—where the
fifth-in-the-nation Republican caucus is
slated for Feb. 4—AARP aims to ensure
voters are well informed when they go to
the polls. AARP invited each of the leading
GOP presidential candidates to participate
in a video voters’ guide. The candidates
fielded questions on retirement security
issues such as jobs, the economy, Social
Security and Medicare. ; Voters gathering
at Nevada’s Democratic caucus meetings on
Jan. 21 are likely to unite behind President
Barack Obama for reelection. ; To watch
the AARP video voters’ guide and learn
how to participate in either party’s caucus,
go to aarp.org/nv.
; Utah
Democracy at work AARP and the
Community Action Partnership of Utah will
sponsor Democracy Day on Jan. 30 in Salt
Lake City. Participants will tour the Capitol,
hear about legislative issues, learn how to
lobby legislators and have lunch with their
representatives in the rotunda. ; AARP
Utah’s 2012 legislative agenda will focus on
improvements in health care and long-term
care. ; To register for the free event, go to
utahcap.org. To sign up for alerts on AARP
issues, email aarput@aarp.org.
; Montana
Greed and grift A new documentary
called Gold Diggers, Investment Fraud
in the Treasure State will air on five PBS
stations and 53 community access chan-
nels this month. ; Narrated by actor Bill
Pullman, the video tells the stories of two
of the most infamous investment scams
in the state’s recent history. Produced by
the Montana Commission of Securities
and Insurance and promoted by AARP, the
documentary also is available on DVD.
; “Older people are especially vulner-
able to financial exploitation,” said Joy
Bruck, AARP state president. “Watching
this video is a great way to learn about the
problem and how to prevent it.” ; For
show times, go to aarp.org/mt. To order
a free DVD, call 406-444-7834 or email
cpalmer3@mt.gov.
; Hawaii
At risk A program that provides in-
home care for Hawaii’s older population
is expected to come under scrutiny as
lawmakers cope with an increasingly tight
budget. ; Kupuna Care provides home-
delivered meals, transportation and help
with bathing and chores for people who do
not qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford to
pay for private in-home services. The state-
funded program’s base budget has been flat
for more than a decade, while the number
of state residents age 65 and older has
increased by 15 percent. Moreover, Hawaii’s
65-plus population is projected to increase
by more than 67 percent between 2010 and
2030. ; AARP is fighting to preserve Kupu-
na Care and wants members to get involved.
Email hi@aarp.org or call 808-545-6004 to
volunteer.
—Reports by Donnan B. Runkel
aarp.org/states
For other state news, go to
; DatabankUSA
The estimated dollar value of a volunteer hour for
each state, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands for 2009.
Value of Volunteers
Ala. $17.70
Alaska
21. 38
Ariz.
19.48
Ark.
16. 24
Calif.
23.42
Colo.
21.62
Conn.
26.98
Del.
21.88
D.C. 32.79
Fla.
18. 40
Ga.
19.94
Hawaii
17.94
Idaho
15.57
Ill.
22. 34
Ind.
17.61
Iowa
16.77
Kan.
17.80
Ky.
17. 37
La.
18.71
Maine
16.53
SOURCE:
INDEPENDENT
SECTOR;
* VALUE IS BASED
ON THE AVERAGE
WAGE OF NON-MANAGEMEN T,
NON-AGRICULTURAL
WORKERS, NOT
EARNING POWER
OF SPECIALIZED
SKILLED WORKERS
SUCH AS DOCTORS
OR LAW YERS.
