AARP urges Idaho to put families, children & elderly ahead of special interests when tackling budget woes

On the heels of grim news from Idaho's Joint Finance-Appropriation Committee regarding a $340 million shortfall that could mean deep cuts to critical programs and services, AARP is urging state lawmakers to refocus the looming debate to protect the education and health needs of Idaho's families, children and elderly.  The Association is calling for lawmakers to get creative when it comes to possible sources of needed revenue to stave off possible cuts.  

AARP says a review and possible elimination of some of the state's roughly $1.8 billion worth of tax exemptions, and increasing the state's tobacco tax, could both prove to help offset any potential cuts to critical programs and services for Idaho families.  

"While talk of cuts seems to come up very quickly during times of a budget shortfall, talk of getting creative with revenue and revisiting any of Idaho's roughly 70 tax exemptions doesn't seem to surface with the same speed," said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho.  "AARP is calling on state lawmakers to take a balanced approach – one that doesn't leave Idaho's children, families and elderly out in the cold when it comes to critical services, from education to health care."

Education is an important issue to Idaho's 50+ population as AARP was founded by a retired school teacher and was preceded by the National Retired Teachers Association, which still plays a vital in the Association and has strong roots in the state through the Retired Educators Association of Idaho (REAI).  During election season, AARP members said they wanted to know where the candidates stood on cuts to education, largely due to concern about the impact on their children and grandchildren.

More cuts to Medicaid would take the harshest toll on Idaho's most vulnerable groups, children and low-income elderly – groups increasingly reliant on Medicaid due to worsening household finances.  In Idaho, nearly 30% of children receive care under Medicaid, while 23,000 of low-income elderly in Medicare (known as dual eligibles) also count on the program for critical health care.

"These are no doubt tough budget times, that will require tough decisions and AARP is looking forward to working with state lawmakers to address Idaho's budget shortfalls in a balanced and fair manner," added Wordelman.  "In Idaho we need to be sure the human interest is paramount to the special interest."