In the upcoming state legislative session, AARP said it intends to lobby for tax credits to help reimburse family caregivers and for a ban on increasing fixed utility charges.
The advocacy group, which represents those ages 50 and up, has nearly 600,000 Connecticut members.
AARP said more than 700,000 Connecticut residents are providing home care for their elderly relatives. Those people deserve tax credits to offset the financial burden, as well as workplace protections to take leave if needed, AARP said.
The organization also wants legislators to forbid utility companies from raising fixed rates. Earlier this month, state regulators approved a request by Connecticut Light & Power to increase its monthly connection fee from $16 to $19.25.
Critics of the new rate structure say it’s unfair because it raises customer costs despite their power consumption.
AARP said it also wants legislators to ban variable rate electricity contracts offered by third-party suppliers. Such a ban would go beyond legislation passed earlier this year, which requires fuller disclosure of contract terms.
