AARP Wisconsin Director Hopes Caregiver Tax Credits, FMLA, and Broadband Funding Stay in State Budget

Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 -- 8:01 AM

(Raymond Neupert, WRN) The AARP is hoping some of Governor Evers' proposals to help the elderly and their families make it through the budget process.

The AARP says there are many good initiatives for seniors and families in Governor Evers' proposed budget. Wisconsin state director Martha Cranley says one big boost for families will be a paid family leave measure and a 500-dollar tax break for home caregivers. "There's about 600,000 Wisconsinites that are caring for family members, which allows those family members to stay in their homes longer, and live their best life."

There's also funding to help seniors get connected to broadband and to give them training on digital devices. It's unclear if those initiatives will be in the Republican version of the budget, but Cranley says members should contact their legislators and make a case for them.

Cranley says part of the governor's broadband funding will help elderly residents learn how to use new devices. "It's really important to make sure that their skills are still up to date so that they can make use of all of the really cool apps and everything else that are coming out that make life so much simpler once you know how to use those."

Cranley says there are tax credits for family caregivers, paid family leave, and new broadband funding to get seniors connected to the internet. "I think that that's useful for legislators to hear from their constituents about which of these ideas in the governor's budget do you think really resonate with you and would help your family."

The state's legislative joint finance committee is now going over the Governor's proposal and will be drafting its own version.

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