ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The legislative session is underway, and many Bay area seniors hoping for lawmakers to address affordability are watching closely.
Financial security is a top priority for the aging population.
Kathy Donovan, 83, said she doesn’t qualify for food stamps, so she goes to the Love Thy Neighbor food pantry and other food banks throughout the month.
“Groceries have doubled, taxes and insurance have doubled,” Donovan said.
In a recent AARP survey of Floridians over 45, nearly all respondents said that having adequate Social Security benefits and enough income to retire are extremely important or very important concerns.
“If I had to just live on Social Security, if I didn’t have food banks, after I pay my bills, food would be tight,” she said.
AARP Florida said financial security is one of its priorities during this legislative session. There are bills in both the House and Senate that would establish a “Florida Retirement Savings Task Force.” They would develop recommendations to expand access to retirement savings for residents who lack employer-sponsored retirement plans.
“How do we set up people for when they retire, they retire comfortably, can continue to own or rent in the state of Florida, afford the cost of living, but also be comfortable,” said AARP Florida Senior Director of Advocacy Zayne Smith.
AARP is also tracking a bill that would require, instead of authorizing, local governments to adopt an ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units, or granny flats, in certain areas.
“That’s going to open up availability, not only for smaller places, for a lot of times our seniors, or our loved ones to move into, but it also allows for people that are caretakers or maybe seasonal workers that don’t need a big home,” Smith said.
Donovan is concerned about housing and retirement options for her kids and future generations.
“Something needs to be done; legislation needs to be done. People get to be a certain age, and they should have a decent place to live. You shouldn’t be homeless, you should have fresh fruits and vegetables and things like that,” Donovan said.
While she needs the food she gets from the pantry, she also always makes sure to give back by buying something from their thrift store.
“Live like you’re living in the Depression, live within your means, buy something at a thrift store. Before you buy something, make sure you really need it,” Donovan said.
AARP is at the State Capitol advocating for seniors.
Another bill they are watching aims to protect people from cryptocurrency kiosk fraud.
The bill would require a fraud warning on the kiosk before a transaction can be made.
Under the legislation, new customers could only make transactions up to $2,000 a day.
AARP said this would empower law enforcement and protect potential fraud victims.
Tyler O’Neill
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